Putting the garden to bed
This year, in late November, we are still enjoying the colors of autumn and the last treats from the vegetable garden. This is uncharacteristically late even for the Champlain Valley.
Great horned owls in the ‘hood
About 10 days ago, as I drifted toward sleep, a deep echoing hoo-hoo floated through the open window. A…
Would you like to see a Vermont master naturalist come to Charlotte?
Attention, nature lovers and newcomers to the area!
Lewis Creek Association wraps up 2021 Boat Launch Steward Program at Bristol and Monkton Ponds
Lewis Creek Association recently wrapped up its boat launch steward program at Bristol and Monkton ponds. LCA chose Bristol and Monkton ponds due to their popularity with anglers, recreational boaters, wildlife enthusiasts, and for the natural communities that are present at the ponds.
The story of the tree calendar
I grew up loving small trees that I could climb. Apples trees and a large, old magnolia tree that grew on my parents’ property were my favorites. On this land there were some unusual trees,
November Reflections
It seems that every November my spirt longs for a simpler life. The stark barren trees seem to strip off all unnecessary accoutrements of modern life.
It’s all about connections and community
Charlotte Trails provide the key to non-motorized transportation and recreation in our town. The trails keep Charlotte connected and offer townspeople a safe, off-road way to stay active and move easily through the community
Bugs in the woods
Forests are complex, intricate and nuanced—and also massive, expansive and interconnected.
Lazy (smart and responsible) gardening
Vermont gardening guru Charlie Nardozzi recently published a book called No-Dig Gardening. In its October e-newsletter, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies recommends Leaf It Be, “a low-intensity yard maintenance practice
Opening day of duck season
The south wind blows and the ridgepole of the old one-room camp creaks above our heads. We are on the shores of mid-Lake Champlain. With the window slightly cracked open, we can hear the waves lapping against the rocky shoreline.
Fall rhubarb care
Are you one of those people who loves rhubarb pie, cake, sauce and even preserving rhubarb for off-season use?
Preserving your garden harvest
Talk about a fast-moving train. Does it seem autumn is approaching at speeds not seen before?
Scouting more area trails
Widening the focus beyond Charlotte’s immediate neighbors, here’s a sampling of walks within about a half hour of Charlotte.
Annual Kelly Brush Ride rolls through Charlotte
When local physical therapist Kristi Johnson realized that a cyclist participating in the 16th Annual Kelly Brush Ride needed…
How Passion Overcomes Adversity – A Tale of True Grit
Normally, I like to use this venue to espouse the virtues and spiritual connections through hunting, fishing, foraging, and generally learning to find joy through immersion in the outdoors.
No emerald ash borers found in Charlotte, at least not yet
Last week, Deputy Tree Warden Alexa Lewis, closely observed by a cow at Fat Cow Farm, lowered one of the twelve green triangular EAB traps that were initially hung from a dozen trees throughout Charlotte back in June.
What Makes a Forest Healthy?
Landowners always ask me is: “is my forest healthy?” While this seems like it should warrant a simple “yes” or “no” answer, the question almost always makes me pause, my eyes glazing over. Like many parts of our world, the deeper we dig into forests the less clear things become and judging if a forest is “healthy” or not is profoundly complex.
More local trails
Widening the focus to neighboring towns, let’s explore the wealth of options in Shelburne and Hinesburg.
Differentiate weed seedlings from garden-worthy plants
Recently a friend mentioned how difficult it was, in spring, to differentiate weed seedlings from more valuable garden-worthy plants. True, as we excitedly look to see what returned or self-seeded, our puzzlement grows. So many plants look alike as babies.
Diamond Island Yacht Club, Point Bay Marina host 9th Annual Diamond Island Regatta and inaugural Split Rock Race
Two days of blue skies and (mostly) fair breezes welcomed Lake Champlain’s best sailors back to Town Farm Bay for this year’s Diamond Island Regatta and its new partner, the Split Rock Race.