Registration is open for our 2022 Summer nature and bike camps! Visit our Camps page to learn more and register - they fill fast! Camperships are available, contact Andy for more information: andy@northwoodscenter.org. Nature & Canoe Camps Mountain Bike Camps
Snow cover is still thin around the region, but there is plenty to explore. At our three nordic hubs, we've begun to pack in the base with the snowmobile and roller, but will need more snow to commence full grooming operations. You can stay tuned to conditions via Trail Hub, or on our website. Email ski@northwoodscenter.org for more information. Visiting NorthWoods? Please wear skis or snowshoes. We are not offering equipment rentals this year, except for group reservations. The NorthWoods Lodge is closed over the Holiday Season, but as always, the trails are [Read More...]
Every year, NorthWoods hires interns for service at National Fish and Wildlife Refuges around the northeast. These interns work closely with refuge staff in specialty fields, often performing direct bird and wildlife observation and conservation efforts in beautiful locations around our region. This month we are highlighting the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and intern Patrick Carr who wrote up a wonderful description of his field season on the Cape: I first arrived at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near the end of April. Situated on the elbow of Cape Cod, Monomoy NWR [Read More...]
Winter Ahead: Here’s to the woolly bears, Farmers Alamanac and La Nina forecasters – we join you in predicting / hoping for a bountiful winter ahead! Cue up the snow, and the winter magic… Trail access is open to the public, by donation. Brighton, Charleston and Morgan residents are encouraged to use our trails for free. Our lodge will not be open to the public, as it is busy for school groups throughout the week and closed on weekends, except for special events. However, trail users are welcome at any time; [Read More...]
Congratulations to the participants of the 2021 Westmore Mountain Challenge! Despite a brief torrential downpour in the morning, the sun emerged around midday, drying out participants on the trail and making for a beautiful September marathon. We had 150 registrants, 120 participants, and 65 finishers of the full marathon-length hike. Top 10 Finishers - Full Length Eric Wyler - 4:22:23.3 Kenyon Fatt - 4:45:57.2 Adam Kruszyna - 5:00:44.7 Matthew Elliott - 5:29:02.8 Matthew Brabender - 5:38:11.2 Daniela Allee - 6:06:41.4 Kali Smolen - 6:14:23.5 Brett Elliott - 6:54:31.1 Ashley Nunery [Read More...]
(Photo by Kiley Briggs of the Orianne Society) What species do you tend to think of when you hear the term “wildlife habitat”? Do you think of moose, deer, and bear? Do you think of birds? What about reptiles and amphibians? Most landowners probably think more about the first two options. The charismatic big game species and the beautiful songbirds definitely draw people’s interest. This summer, NorthWoods has been conducting wildlife habitat assessments on private properties throughout the Northeast Kingdom. These assessments look at the overall wildlife value of a property [Read More...]
The NorthWoods Stewardship Center, working with the Vermont State Watershed Planner, Danielle Owczarski, and funded through the Northeast Vermont Development Association (NVDA), and 604(b) Water Quality funding from the VT Agency of Natural Resources, has completed key updates to the State of Vermont Watershed Projects Database. This database serves as a vital hub for planners and partner organizations such as municipalities and lake associations in identifying, funding, and completing needed watershed improvement projects. Devin Straley, the Forestry & Conservation Science Intern at NorthWoods, completed work on the batch import file for [Read More...]
We would like to give a huge thank you and shout out to our friends at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee for their continued generosity and dedication as stewards of our region's wild birds. Earlier this year our beloved feathered ambassador, Oberon the Barred Owl —known and admired by many NorthWoods visitors, campers, and students over the years— began to display some uncharacteristic behaviors such as refusing meals and remaining on the floor of his mew (a place no owl wants to be) — a definite indication [Read More...]
Welcome 8th graders! We are excited to learn about you and your interest in building leadership skills! Your application will be reviewed by educators from NorthWoods Stewardship Center and the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative. This application should be completed by students; parents - your role is to indicate your permission at the end of the application. Application deadline: March 15 Program dates: Session 1 - Friday, March 26 Session 2 - Friday, April 30 Session 3 - Friday, May 28 Click Here to Apply
As you hit the trails this winter, take a close look at Vermont's forests. Some trees are threatened by invasive forest insects, and in some places, you might be the only one to spot them! The three pests to be on the lookout for when exploring our forests are the emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, and Asian longhorned beetle. If you see signs of any of these pests, take photos, snag the GPS location and report your findings using the REPORT IT link at vtinvasives.org. Emerald Ash Borer The emerald [Read More...]
