NorthWoods Stewardship Center, East Charleston, Vermont - Ecosystem Management, Environmental Education, Experiential Programs, Land Stewardship, Outdoor Adventures, Summer Camps, Nature Programs, Community Events featuring hands-on learning from the Northeast Kingdom

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Conservation Science at NorthWoods Stewardship Center

The work of the Conservation Science department began in 1998 with the Ecosystem Management Project based on the 1500-acre land base now owned and managed by NorthWoods. Later, we expanded off-site to projects throughout the watersheds of Northeastern Vermont.

Mission:
NorthWoods' Conservation Science Program works to provide the scientific information needed to identify and address the priority conservation needs of our region.

Ongoing Collaborative Research

Our projects often involve collaborations with non-profit, state, and federal Project Partners and a cadre of dedicated Citizen Scientist volunteers. The findings of our work lead to conservation actions through a number of channels. Many results are summarized in project reports and contribute to watershed or forest management planning. Others are used to identify and prioritize projects, such as riparian buffer tree plantings, for the NorthWoods Conservation Corps or volunteer groups.

Our ecological monitoring data are provided to state, federal, and private research entities to be incorporated into powerful regional or long-term datasets to answer broader research questions and for conservation planning.

Please check back soon to see new features coming to this section. Meanwhile, check out related programs we’re offering this summer season below.

Upcoming Workshops:

Spring Birds Series: Clyde River, Saturday, May 29, 7am– 10am, $20
Can’t tell a sora from a sapsucker? Learn the songs, sights, habits, and habitats of our feathered summer visitors during this leisurely canoe along the diverse and beautiful Clyde River wetland complex. Observe a diversity of birds found in marsh, open water, swamp, and forest edge habitats. Binoculars and field guides available. Canoes and paddles provided.

Spring Wild Edibles, Saturday June 5, 10am– 1pm, $15
Veteran wild-edible hunter and naturalist Pete Rodin leads this walk in search of Spring’s edible wild plants, from cattail roots to marsh marigolds to fireweed’s spring shoots, new tastes for the palate and a deeper understanding of what makes up the Spring woods and wetlands. Call and let us know you're coming!

Trees and Shrubs of the Northern Forest, Friday, June 25, 9am-12pm, $15
Northern New England enjoys a diversity of woody plants from the boreal conifer forests of the north and the mixed deciduous forests of the south. Learn the summer identification and ecological roles of 20 tree and shrub species common to our region, including benefits to wildlife (and us!).

Ferns of Willoughby State Forest, Friday, July 9, 9am-1pm $20
Retired Lyndon State College professor and fern specialist Dave Conant will lead this exploration of the forests around Lake Willoughby, addressing such topics as fern identification, uses, and fern ecology. Please register to obtain directions. Contact Maria to register.

Bats in Peril: White Nosed Syndrome, Thursday, July 22, 7pm, $5
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has contributed to the death of millions of hibernating bats in eastern North America and continues to spread in Vermont, southern Canada and as far south as Tennessee. UVM Mammalogist Bill Kilpatrick will update us on the current knowledge of the syndrome, the status of Vermont’s bat population, and ongoing research.

Staying Connected: Worcesters-Northeast Kingdom Linkage, Thursday, July 29, 7pm, $5
Join the National Wildlife Federation, Vermont Land Trust, and NorthWoods for a discussion on conservation and wildlife corridors in the Northeast Kingdom. Chip Knight of NWF will present an overview of the program his organization is leading in cooperation with a four-state biodiversity initiative. Contact Greg or sign up for our e-newsletter on our home page for more information