Jericho Underhill Land Trust

05/23/2026

05/16/2026

Our annual bird walk was a great success with many birds spotted or heard. Not surprisingly, the park’s bridge, with important river bank habitat, proved particularly rich in bird sightings.

Thank you Evergreen Erb and Sabina Ernst for leading this enthusiastic group!

05/12/2026

Both of our properties, Kikas Valley Farm and the Wolfrun Natural Area have beaver activity. We have unplugged culverts (filled with mud and branches) and installed beaver exclusion fencing to protect vital infrastructure.

In a seasonal rite of passage, beavers are on the move this time of year as two-year-old juvenile beavers are kicked out of the colony to make room for this year’s offspring. The displaced juvenile beavers must then search for unoccupied habitat to set up shop. As they move about looking for the perfect spot, more beavers are crossing roads, which puts them at risk of getting hit by cars, as well as finding themselves in locations that put them in direct conflict with landowners and property managers, like backyard ponds and road culverts.

It's common for beavers to move into someone’s backyard pond, though this can create conflicts such as beavers chewing down trees, burrowing into the bank, and plugging drainage structures. If landowners can tolerate some beaver activity on their property, there are techniques for resolving these conflicts that include installing fencing around trees and water flow devices to prevent damming and maintain appropriate water levels.

Beavers create important wetland habitat for many fish, wildlife, and plant species and spring is an excellent time to explore your local wetland. You’ll be amazed at how many species of birds and herps you hear!

🦫 More information about coexisting with beavers and reducing human-beaver conflict can be found on our website at https://vtfishandwildlife.com/beavers 🦫

📷 Did you know beavers are the largest rodent in North America, and that they tend to mate for life? Here, a pair of beavers are seen in their ideal habitat, where there's water and plenty of woody material for them to eat and use to build their dams and lodges. Photo by VFWD

05/12/2026

May 16th - Annual Bird Walk with Evergreen and Sabina – Mills Riverside Park – 7:00 a.m.

Join Evergreen Erb and Sabina Ernst for an early morning stroll at the park. We will be looking for and listening to our newly arrived bird species. Birds that flew over the oceans in fall’s southward migration are all coming back. The park offers numerous habitats that attract a wide variety of birds, and they are especially plentiful in the early morning hours. Evergreen has been leading this annual event for over 27 years, and Sabina, who is a JULT board member, generously shares her extensive knowledge as well. Here are just a few of the birds that we might spot: Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet tanager, Indigo bunting, Belted kingfisher, and many different warblers. This walk is suitable for all ages. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and be ready for an enjoyable birding adventure at the park.

05/08/2026

Another land conservation success story. It takes a willing landowner, hardworking farmers and committed land trusts to help make it happen.

We are working hard to get the farm stand s**c and span, to welcome you on our opening day, Wednesday May 20!! We have so many new local groceries and goodies to offer this year, along with our nutrient packed veggies and fruits. Think baked goods, meat, and some extremely coveted frozen treats that we will reveal soon….

05/08/2026

Our annual meeting was highlighted by Craig Newman from Outreach for Earth Stewardship and his ambassador birds. We learned a great deal about the Eastern Screech Owl, the Barred Owl, and the Great Horned Owl.

05/07/2026

Tonight is the night for our Annual Meeting!
Come to meet friends and neighbors who share an appreciation of our natural world and preserving important land for today and tomorrow.

Jericho Community Center
6:30 p.m. for refreshments
7:00 p. m. Business meeting
7:20 p.m. Craig Newman and his bird ambassadors

05/04/2026

Come to our Annual Meeting to learn more about the excellent work of Outreach for Earth Stewardship.
6:30 p.m. refreshments
7:00 p.m. short business meeting
7:20 p.m. Outreach for Earth Stewardship and their ambassador birds!

Thursday, May 7th
Community Center in Jericho Center

05/03/2026

Spring Wildflower Walk yesterday.
Make plans for our Annual Meeting on May 7th and our popular bird walk, May 16th. Please visit our website at www.JULT.org for more information.

05/03/2026

Thank you, Michele Tulis, for leading our annual spring wildflower walk yesterday. Mills Riverside Park offers a variety of spring ephemerals for exploration. This walk never disappoints and is well attended. And the weather even cooperated with some sun.

Thank you!