Guided Walk

THIS WALK HAS BEEN CANCELED

Join Soil Conservationist Olivia Carlson of U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Habitat Biologist Travis Hart of Vermont Fish and Wildlife to walk through untreated and treated areas of invasive plants to identify these invaders and discuss control methods. 

Where: Sandgate VT, registration is required. Please dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear. 

RSVP: by May 18th either by calling 802-775-8034 or by registering online.

Join the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at the Intervale Center for a wildlife tracking presentation and walk around the beautiful Intervale winter woods.  Wildlife Tracking is an especially exciting activity during the winter with fresh fallen snow to help you unravel the stories of wildlife in the forests and fields. 

The event begins at the Barn near the Intervale Center where Fish & Wildlife staff will discuss the fundamentals of tracking, and then we’ll venture out on the trails to see signs of wildlife.

Please email Alison.Thomas@vermont.gov 802-371-9975 to register.

Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Andrea Shortsleeve, Wildlife Biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. for a free, public walk of a forest management project being implemented at the Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF).

This walk will highlight winter wildlife ecology, wildlife tracking, and how active management of the HTF is expected to influence wildlife habitat and behavior. 

To join the walk, meet at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 29 at the HTF trailhead on Hayden Hill Road East, 0.3 miles from the intersection with Texas Hill Road.

Please note that the Hayden Hill Road East trailhead is not accessible from Hayden Hill Road West, and that if you put “Hinesburg Town Forest” into your GPS it will send you to the incorrect trailhead.

Please come prepared to spend two hours out in the elements, including some walking over slippery and uneven surfaces.

To learn more about the Hinesburg Town Forest project, check out the links and resources at: https://linktr.ee/HinesburgTownForest. 

Sponsored by Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, The Nature Conservancy, and Merck Forest and Farmland Center

Join Liz Thompson, Eric Sorenson, and Bob Zaino, the three authors of Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A Guide to the Natural Communities of Vermont to celebrate the publication of the second edition of the book with an exploration of Merck’s special natural communities, including Dry Chestnut Oak Forest and Rich Northern Hardwood Forest. The forests here are fascinating and we will learn about the trees, shrubs, wildflowers of the forest floor, and forest structure, exploring how different soils support different plants and animals.

This will be a moderate hike over variable terrain.

Location: Merck Forest and Farmland Center

Limit 25 participants

Register Now

Join Fish & Wildlife Department biologist, Travis Hart, on a walk to discuss different habitat types across parts of the 3,000+ acre Birdseye WMA, which covers the towns of Castleton, Ira and Poultney. Walk through young forest and then the trail up Herrick Mountain discussing different species and habitat types as we climb. It is roughly 1.5 miles to the view of the valley and Lake Bomoseen.

Note* The climb to the top of Herrick Mountain is on a managed access road but is steep and may be difficult for some. Stops will be made along the way to discuss different features, but please be prepared for a steep climb. Dress appropriately including good hiking shoes and long pants to protect against ticks. Terrain will be varied and difficult.

Appropriate for Children of What Age – Due to the relatively steep incline of the climb up it is recommended that only older children attend that are able to walk 1.5 miles up steep terrain. 12+

Equipment Attendees should bring – Water to drink along the way, bug spray, walking stick or poles if you prefer to use them when hiking.

Limit: 30 participants

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Hosted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy

The lower Winooski River supports an intriguing ecosystem that includes floodplain forests with their tall arching trees, wet swamps, and flooded marshes. Come learn about these natural communities, and the many plants and animals that inhabit them, with Liz Thompson, Eric Sorenson, and Bob Zaino, the three authors of the second edition of Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A Guide to the Natural Communities of Vermont.

This trip will involve a moderate off-trail walk on flat ground that may be muddy or wet.  Rubber boots or waterproof shoes are recommended. 

Limit: 25 participants

Meeting location will be sent to you upon registration.

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The Intervale Center’s Natural Areas Stewardship Coordinator, Duncan Murdoch, will lead a walk through the forests and fields focusing on sustainable foraging practices at the Intervale.   Duncan will identify abundant edible and medicinal plants, especially invasive species! 

Rain Date: June 9, 2021

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Doug Morin, the Fish and Wildlife Department’s non-game bird biologist, will be leading morning strolls through the Intervale Center property in search of spring birds.

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Join Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologist and WMA manager Amy Alfieri for a walking and driving tour of the Dead Creek WMA where we will discuss how and why the area was developed, and its current management strategies and goals.

We will be following best social distancing practices. Participants in these events must practice social distancing at all times, wear a mask at all stops along the trails and/or paddle, and sign a consent form. Temperatures may be taken.

Space is limited and these events fill up quickly, so signup early!

Register Now

Join  Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologists Tim Appleton and John Austin at the Podunk Wildlife Management Area in Strafford for a guided tour and discussion about the importance and uniqueness of a wildlife management area and how they differ from other types of state lands, such as state forest and state parks.  We’ll discuss tracks, trees, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, historical resources, management activities and any other curiosities we find along the way.  Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for being outdoors in summer, including food and water, as well as binoculars if they have them.  You should also be able to walk one to two miles at a relaxed pace over a relatively flat trail with some steady inclines.

We will be following best social distancing practices. Participants in these events must practice social distancing at all times, wear a mask at all stops along the trails and/or paddle, and sign a consent form. Temperatures may be taken.

Space is limited and these events fill up quickly, so signup early!

Register Now