The Nature Conservancy in Vermont

11/04/2026

Henry David Thoreau described the plumage of a blue heron as “a tempered blue as of the sky and dark water commingled.”

By mid-November these beautiful birds will have mostly departed from the wetlands and ponds of Vermont, headed to warmer destinations along the Atlantic coast and farther south.

📷: Roger Irwin

10/31/2026

Things that go bump in the night... are probably just raccoons playing (sound on🔊). Happy Halloween friends 🎃!

🎥: TNC Vermont trail cam footage

10/29/2026

These fuzzy white insects are beech aphids, nicknamed "boogie-woogie aphids." When they sense a disturbance, the entire colony begins swaying their bodies in unison, creating a mesmerizing dance-like motion. This synchronized movement likely helps deter predators and protect the group.

Beech blight aphids feed on the sap of American beech trees and are covered in a fluffy, waxy coating that gives them their cotton-like appearance. While large colonies can look dramatic, they rarely cause serious harm to healthy trees

📷: These boogie woogie aphids were spotted by TNC Easement Steward Jos Duffy

10/26/2026

Bats are still affected by a fungal infection that eliminated almost 90% of the population of several species. Efforts are underway in Vermont to protect their habitat and conserve what’s left. We are proud to be one of the groups working to protect bats in Vermont. The cover photo features a member of the TNC Vermont stewardship team working in an incredible bat cave located on one of our preserves.

Bats are still affected by a fungal infection that eliminated almost 90% of the population of several species. Efforts are underway in Vermont to protect their habitat and conserve what’s left.

10/19/2026

When foliage season ends and colorful leaves blanket the forest floor, the work of the fallen leaves is just beginning. First order of business, enjoying their satisfying crunch. But then…

🍂For amphibians and insects leaf litter creates shelter from predators and harsh weather. Many salamanders spend much of their lives hidden under the leaf layer.

🍂As fungi, bacteria, insects, and other decomposers break down fallen leaves, nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon are returned to the soil. These nutrients become available to tree roots, helping support the next generation of forest growth.

🍂Leaf litter absorbs rainfall and snowmelt, helping water slowly filter into the soil rather than rushing away. This improves nearby water quality and helps the forest retain moisture during dry periods.

🍂During harsh Vermont winters, leaf litter provides important insulation. The layer traps warmth and helps protect plant roots, overwintering insects, and small animals from extreme temperatures.

Video: TNC Vermont

10/15/2026

We all have places in nature that become a part of who we are. Places that shape our lives and matter far beyond any one of us. For 75 years, The Nature Conservancy has worked to help protect these remarkable natural places, so they can thrive for generations to come.

10/13/2026

When you walk the woods of Vermont you will come across a "wolf tree" sooner or later. These huge old trees tell a story about Vermont's past. Hear from forester & author Ethan Tapper as he explains the story behind the wolf tree: https://nature.ly/3TYbXLz

10/09/2026

Our Eshqua Bog Natural Area isn't just great to visit in the spring during the lady's slipper orchid super bloom! The Vermont Standard reminded readers that Eshqua is a family-friendly trail with an accessible boardwalk that brings hikers through beautiful foliage. Read about Woodstock-area foliage walks in The Vermont Standard: https://thevermontstandard.com/foliage-shines-along-local-trails/

📷: Eshqua Bog boardwalk, taken a few weeks ago by Adrienne Bartlett on the TNC Vermont Stewardship team.

10/07/2026

Our foliage isn't just beautiful, it provides clues about changes in the ecosystem. Learn more about the fiery red, vibrant yellow, and brilliant orange colors that blanket our hills in the autumn:
https://nature.ly/3U8pEYu

📷: Jack Markoski

10/02/2026

Running into posted signs as a hunter this fall? We welcome people on our preserves, and all but one are open to hunting. Check out the link below for a map of our lands across the state, information on which preserves require permission, general hunting information, and contact information for permission. And please remember to wear your orange!

https://nature.ly/4hBnCb1

📷: Tim Paul/TNC