BTV Conservation News
The Pulse of Burlington's Wild Green Heart

February/March/April
Issue No. 6
A Letter from Dan & Alicia 

Winter is a season of fleeting beauty, such as the icicles in the Intervale Sea Caves or the fox tracks crisscrossing the fields at Rock Point.   This issue celebrates our unique winter events from large crow roosts in Burlington's South End to icicles in a cave.  We also look at how people are introducing each other to the natural wonders within the borders of our City.   Whether it is a teacher taking students outdoors or a Master Naturalist leading a field walk, there is so much happening outside this winter.  Please explore nature with us through the walks and events listed at the end of this issue.

We also look back at a rich year of conservation in Burlington as we catch up with Cindi Wight, the new director of BPRW, and with many other people who are working across the City to connect wild lands, improve trails, track mammals, protect rare plants, create events celebrating Burlington's wild lands and become master naturalists.  Click on the link in the Conservation Corner below to see our Conservation Year in Review video.
Hope to see you in the woods,

Alicia Daniel
Field Naturalist, BPRW
 
Dan Cahill,
Land Steward, BPRW
Intervale Caves, Children Outdoors and Crows  
Intervale Sea Caves: A Winter Wonderland

In the winter, the popularity of the Intervale Sea Caves is clear. A deep trough of snowy footprints leads down Arthur Park's main trail as it drops steeply down through a 10,000-year-old ice age delta whose sandy soils support a forest rich in oaks with hemlocks on the steepest slopes. The tracks turns north near a patch of alder and cattails then
continues north out over the ice wrapping around to the cave. Sometimes when the water in the caves freezes, it creates a clear window into the pond and people can see fish swimming slowly beneath the ice.  Icicles hang like stalactites from the ceiling. These caves were formed in 500 million year old Dunham Dolostone as the glaciers retreated from Vermont during the last ice age. Visit the caves in winter by accessing the trailhead across North Avenue from the high school parking lot and read more about their history below.
 Photo by Sean Beckett
What is Up with Winter Crows?

Not all of Burlington's birds are "snowbirds" who fly south in the winter.  Crows form large flocks in Burlington congregating in evening roosts. At the Christmas Bird Count, volunteers tallied 1,019 crows roosting on Dunder Road. Later, volunteers crow counters fanned out across the city watching how crows fly and verified that the South End currently hosts the only roost in greater Burlington.                                                                                                                                              Photo by Iain Wanless
No Child Left Inside

Teachers throughout the City are finding ways to take students outside.  Follow Ellen Gawarkiewicz as she leads students on a hunt for insects and let's them get soaked in the lake's spray on their adventures into wilds near their school.  This is the first in a series of articles exploring how and why Burlington's teachers are introducing their students to the great outdoors.
                                                                                                                                          Photo by Gary Peeples/USFWS
The Master Naturalist BTV Program
Catching up with Katie Michels:
Vermont Master Naturalist

Katie recently accepted a job with Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in  Montpelier. She talks about her new job and being a Vermont Master Naturalist in inaugural year here in Burlington .  
 
Winter in the Woods with the Vermont Master Naturalists 

After a cozy morning at the Ethan Allen Homestead studying the life of people in post-glacial Vermont, Vermont Master Naturalist candidates explored the winter landscape at Derway Island.  BPRW will accept applications in the spring for the class of 2019.
 
Photo by Garrett Chisholm                                                            Click here to read the article by Gabe Allen
Conservation Corner
Conservation Year in Review Video   
 
Find out the latest about what is happening in the conservation world in Burlington.  BPRW's Conservation Team, Dan Cahill and Alicia Daniel, catch up with Cindi Wight, the new director of BPRW, and with many others who are working across the City to connect wild lands,  improve trails, track mammals, protect rare plants, create events celebrating Burlington's wild lands and become master naturalists .

Conservation Initiative:
Coming to an NPA near you in March and April
 
The Burlington Open and Natural Lands Conservation & Connection Initiative is coming to your NPA soon. The Initative , established by a June 5 Burlington City Council resolution, seeks to connect and protect Burlington's open and natural areas. Join us for a visual tour of some Burlington's natural gems. Share with us your favorite spots in the city and your hopes for conservation and access to these areas.  

Photo by Sean Beckett
Save The Date: Field Walks & Talks

Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront: 

Signs of Spring Nature Walk with Master Naturalists Nancy Knox and Jessica Rubin
  • April 21st: 10 am at Ethan Allen Park. Meet in the main parking lot.
 
UVM Monday Field Walks 

Walks typically depart from the lobby of Jeffords Hall at UVM. Event locations and departures may change.   For more information or to sign up for a walk visit their  event page.

 
Northeast Natural History Conference 
  • April 13th - 15th at the Hotel Burlington and Conference Center. Click here for more information and to register for workshops and field trips. 
Tracking Club

Click Here To Join The Facebook Group
 
Branch Out Burlington
 
"Trees For the Future: Plan(t)ing For A Changing Climate" by Jacob Holzberg-Pill
  • February 18th: 4:00 pm at Ira Allen Chapel Room 101  
Burlington Permaculture 

"Introduction to Abenaki Horticulture and Forest Gardens" 
  • February 5th: 5:30-8:30 pm at The Study Hall (209 College St, 3rd Floor, Burlington) 
"Agroforestry in Vermont" 
  • Date TBD (February 20th, 21st or 22nd): 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Fletcher Free Library 
  • Check the Facebook Page for updated information
"Creating Plant and Pollinator Sanctuaries for Gardens and Farms" 
  • March 14th: 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Fletcher Free Library



 
This issue of BTV Conservation News edited by Eileen O'Connor  
Banner photos:  Intervale Sea Caves and their icicles courtesy of Ellen Gawarkiewicz
Snowy Owl on the Burlington causeway courtesy of Eileen O'Connor