The NorthWoods staff and board are delighted to see significant progress on long-planned infrastructure improvements here on the campus. We’ve got a new roof on our main lodge! This much needed renovation was supported by funding from the Canaday Family Trust, the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant, the Northern Vermont Development Association, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and private donors. Executive Director Maria Young and the Board Planning Committee Chair Jesse Coe worked diligently to align project goals, funding, and to provide direction to ensure the success of NorthWoods largest project in the last five years. Contractor Patrick Cartee of Irasburg and his hard-working crew removed existing steel, fiberglass insulation and strapping and replaced with closed cell spray foam, sheathing, a vapor barrier, a new steel roof, and trim. Vermont Natural Coatings donated stain for facia trim. This locally sourced whey byproduct looks great, and the semi-transparent stain enabled us to dress up our lodge, while maintaining the rustic appeal. Most importantly, it feels warmer inside already and we have taken an important step in preserving this special space.
Maria and her team have also made notable progress toward increasing capacity for conservation services and training opportunities both for NorthWoods staff and for partner organizations as we plan for the addition of a new 36 x 36 foot Conservation Barn. The planning team has worked with Coe and Coe Architects of West Glover to design a building that will serve the growing needs and services associated with the conservation corps, conservation science, and forest stewardship programs. In late summer, we received our Act 250 permit. Trustee Hap Eliason surveyed the site, and Forest Stewardship Institute Director Sam Perron and the Forest Stewardship interns began site clearing in September – harvesting primarily red pine and white spruce. Funds have been secured through the Canaday Family Trust, USDA RBEG, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and private donors through Phase 2 of this project. Maria continues to seek gap funding for Phase 3 (Finish Work) of the Conservation Barn. The Planning Team is in the process of reviewing qualifications for interested contractors – with project construction planned for Summer 2021.
With an addition to the grid-tied solar panel array, we anticipate doubling the current output of our solar panel, from 20 to 40% of NorthWoods total energy usage. NorthWoods Conservation Corps Director Dusty May and AmeriCorps member CJ Hill constructed the frame, and the expertise and effort of board members Topher Waring, Hap Eliason and Jesse Coe guided this project. While we were sad to lose a few beautiful trees around the pond required to maximize solar collection, we are using this as an opportunity to demonstrate Conservation Science Director Meghann Carter’s water quality improvement efforts at our home pond. Meg has begun a multi-season project of improving the riparian buffer along the pond, using native shrubs and plants to maintain water quality, prevent erosion and align with multi-use goals of the pond and environs, a favored place to explore and swim for our summer campers.