Other Wetland Related Events

 Please join us for our monthly bird monitoring walks on the refuge. Ken Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails on the 3rd Saturday of each month year-round (except December and May, when it is on the 2nd Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database, where the Cornell Lab of Ornithology stores the data. These walks are appropriate for birders of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds throughout the seasons. After 195 months of walks, we have recorded 170 species of birds.

This month's walk: *Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM at the Stephen J. Young Marsh Trail.

Always see the upcoming dates at  https://www.friendsofmissisquoi.org/calendar

If you have any questions, contact me, Ken Copenhaver at copenhvr@gmail.com

Home of a Class I wetland!!   Join Hayley Kolding, VRC’s Southern Conservation Manager, for a guided bicycle tour of the wetlands and floodplain habitats surrounding the Helen W. Buckner Memorial Natural Area along the Poultney River. Along the way, we’ll stop to discover marsh plants and birds, learn how rivers and wetlands work together to reduce flooding and support wildlife, and explore the natural history of the Poultney River watershed. Bring your bike, helmet, and optional binoculars for a calm ride with plenty of opportunities to stop, observe, and appreciate this unique landscape.

Parking: Parking is limited, so please carpool if possible. We’ll meet at the TNC Bacher Trailhead (2555 Galick Rd, West Haven, VT 05743). If that lot is full, additional parking is available at Tim’s Trailhead (1320 Galick Rd), where participants can bike west to meet the group.  Meeting Location:  TNC Bacher Trailhead (2555 Galick Rd, West Haven, VT 05743)  Register here.

Paddle the lower Barton River with Vermont River Conservancy’s Northern Vermont Conservation Manager, Remy Crettol, as we journey through expansive floodplain forests to the South Bay of Lake Memphremagog. Along the way, discover how floodplain forests improve water quality, provide critical wildlife habitat, and naturally reduce flooding while experiencing one of northern Vermont’s most ecologically significant river corridors. This intermediate paddle offers a deeper understanding of why protecting connected river landscapes matters for both people and wildlife.  Register Here

This event is capped at 20 participants and is intended for intermediate paddlers. It will be about 7 miles long and take about 3 hours.

Bring:water bottle, your own boat! (canoe or kayak), paddle, and, life jacket.

Parking: 3091 Coventry Station Rd, Newport, VT 05855

Meeting Location: Coventry Station Road Access Area

Jud Kratzer, Fisheries Biologist with VT DF&W, has been implementing and studying strategic woody addition projects in Vermont for over a decade and has documented significant increases in brook trout populations at strategic wood addition sites. Visit a section of the upper Waits River with Jud to observe a completed SWA project and discuss wood placement and techniques, permitting, site selection, and more! This project was completed in 2024 and added large wood to 2.7 river miles, improving fish and wildlife habitat structure, bank stability, channel roughness, and floodplain access. 

Check out the Vermont Strategic wood addition handbook!

Cost includes all materials and camping on site (if desired).  

Zapata can attest that Penny is a fantastic Instructor and has signed up for the workshop and is bringing her camper!! Black Ash, a FACW species, has a unique fiber structure allowing for each ring of the tree to separate from each other, creating thin sheets that can be cut and then woven into sturdy baskets. Come and learn how to make a tote with Penny Hewitt. A $200 deposit will hold your spot. Please send a check, made out to:

Penny Hewitt

21 Lazy Mill Rd

Stannard VT 05842

Or you can venmo it to: Penny-Hewitt-2 (last 4 of phone is 7907) 

Please put Totes in the "what is this for" spot.

If you send a check, please email her at: 68pennyg@gmail.com  to let her know so she will hold a spot for you.

Vermont State University Sring course : Dates to be announced

Contact Tylor Payne to be added to the list of folks to be notified when SPRING registration is open! taylor.paone@vermontstate.edu

The cost to join is $1175, which includes a yearlong membership to VAWS for the following calendar year.VSU accepts VSAC Advancement Grants and AmeriCorps Segal awards.

This in-person training is based in part on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation manual; the 2012 Supplement for Northeast Region; and most recent National Wetland Plant List and NRCS Hydric Soil guidance. Participants will also learn about federal and state regulations, and appropriate permitting in relation to wetlands. Lecture topics include: science of wetland hydrology; hydric soils; hydric vegetation; wetland development; and current Vermont regulations. Field practicals include soil and plant identification, and wetland delineation in accordance to the ACOE Field Delineation Manual.