Spring, Summer and Fall 2007
Spring | Summer | Fall | Special Plans
Get outdoors to see, hear, smell and know the wild world!
Bring along binoculars, hand lens, and a sense of adventure.
Be ready to be surprised and delighted!
Naturewalk Vermont has planned excursions to some of Vermont's remote places unique for their beauty and abundance of bird, mammal and plant life. Your naturalist-guide will treat you to what may be the start of a whole new way to know the outdoors.
Mount Aeolus—Spring Wildflowers in Northern Hardwood Forest
Dorset
Hepatica, Claytonia, Trillium, and Toothwort bloom when sunlight floods the litter-covered forest floor in spring. A hike on the shoulder of Mount Aeolus promises good botanizing and birding. Bring along field guides for practice in identification.
The Battenkill—Birds, Butterflies, and Wildflowers
Arlington
Out in the morning for a riverside walk along the Battenkill to tune into avian activity and focus on butterflies, and late spring wildflowers. We'll gather to muse about our findings at the West Mountain Inn over scrumptious brunch. Ruth Stewart, birder extraordinaire and a coordinator for the Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Project will join us to explain the Battenkill area's significance as a "priority block".
Kettle Pond and Rock Ridges—Landscape History and Wildlife Watching
South Wallingford
The story behind Vermont landscapes is one of dramatic uplifts, faulting, glaciers and erosion. On this hike in the Green Mountain National Forest we'll spot clues that tell history and talk of influences on past events on present day wildlife.
Mad Tom Brook—Forest and Stream Natural History
East Dorset
Meandering alongside this rocky streambed we'll stop often to investigate pools, falls, and riffles and to identify plants and animals that live around, along and in a quick forest stream. Looking into evidence from the past along the trail will reveal the human and natural history of this once well-used route through Mad Tom Gap.
Lost Pond Bog- Pitcher Plants and Dwarf Shrub Bog Community
Mt. Tabor
We'll hike a piece of the Old Job Trail and turn off to find this otherworldly upland peat bog. A quiet place with soft and spongy sphagnum underfoot, pitcher plant, sundew, low heath shrubs, orchid and cranberry grow there. This is likely habitat for Lincoln's sparrow, common yellowthroat and a variety of damselflies and dragonflies.
Mount Antone – Full Moon Hike
Rupert
There is certain magic on a hike in quiet moonlit darkness. Along the trail chat will focus on the unique adaptations of fireflies, owls and other creatures of the night. Surprise encounters are to be expected.
FallBattell Preserve – Old Growth Forest
Middlebury
Huge and magnificent trees in this remnant of Vermont's forest of the past tell quite a story. A visit to this rare habitat presents discussion of past, present, and future effects of human land use and management on wildlife.
Griffith Lake to Baker Peak – Deciduous Forest, Fall Color and Seasonal Change
Mount Tabor
A brook side hike to Griffith Lake then through the woods to a wide-open view from the rocky dome of Baker Peak provides opportunities to watch for wildlife, time for talk of the changing season and a chance for a lessons on tree identification.
Naturewalk will arrange a personalized outing for you, your family, friends, club, classroom or work associates. If you are visiting or new to the area and want to get a taste of wild Vermont, would like to enhance your studies about particular habitat or species, or simply wish to know about what's in your home territory, contact Naturewalk with your ideas, give us some guidelines and we'll come up with a plan.
Short-notice planning will be accommodated according to availability.
Ask about family (with children) and classroom group rates.