Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife

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Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife

Educating Vermont's woodland owners and managers about practical approaches to forest management to e

Coverts Cooperator Training
For an application contact the office.

06/05/2026

Vermont offers some incredible online tools to help you learn more about your land and understand its ecological context. Figuring out how to use them can feel a bit overwhelming. Let us help make it easy! Join VT Coverts as we host VT Fish and Wildlife Conservation Planner Jens Hilke for an informative session where we’ll walk you step by step through the Vermont BioFinder mapping tool. You’ll learn more about what’s on your parcel and how to zoom out to understand how it fits in with larger forest blocks and waterways. We’ll also explore parcel viewer to identify parcel boundaries and ownership. Plus, get a preview of upcoming changes to these tools so you can stay ahead and make the most of them in the coming years. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and leave with practical skills you can use right away. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lE9zyrOfTZS7U1jv384qKw #/registration

05/29/2026

This month Coverts Cooperators hosted a variety of hands-on workshops across Vermont bringing people together to learn, connect, and care for woodland habitats. A huge thank you to all our hosts for sharing their time, knowledge, and properties!

Photo 1, 2: Sam and Dee Schiela hosted a tree planting workshop where 80 saplings were planted, tubed and watered, supporting future forest health.

Photo 3: Kyle Lapointe hosted NEWT Game of Logging Levels 1 & 2, where participants learned safe chainsaw handling and tree felling.

Photo 4: Alan Yale hosted a mast tree release workshop showcasing one approach to managing trees for wildlife habitat and forest health.

Photo 5: Tina Barney hosted a bird walk on her property where participants identified 55 species.

These workshops are a great reminder that stewardship starts with learning together and building community.

05/28/2026

Butterflies are in your garden, along hiking trails, and even along the side of the road. Did you know that you can help protect them just by noting when you see them? New or experienced butterfly watchers can join the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and VT Coverts at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area to learn how to contribute to the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. In this workshop you will learn how to identify local butterfly species, how to use community science tools like eButterfly and iNaturalist, get tips and tricks on photographing butterflies and more. This workshop will include classroom and field portions. Bring your lunch. Register here: https://forms.gle/U9tyuiwCp3UK1wjq6

05/26/2026

Welcome Coverts Cooperator Class Spring 2026!
We are grateful to have had such a large group of new land owners, professionals, and Coverts Cooperators willing to share their experiences and knowledge with each other. If you are looking to also learn more about enhancing wildlife habitat while maintaining healthy resilient forests you can join our next class, August 28 - 30 at Kehoe Conservation Camp, Castleton. You can register and learn more on our website.

05/18/2026

Join us for a spring migration woods walk at Merck Forest and Farmland Center, where forest landowners can celebrate the return of migratory birds while exploring practical ways to enhance woodland habitat. Hosted by Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Audubon Vermont, and Vermont Coverts, this walk will explore a variety of small forest stewardship projects implemented over the past 15 years in the forests surrounding the visitor center and farm. As we walk, we’ll listen for and identify migratory songbirds while discussing how specific forest stewardship practices—such as small canopy openings, structural diversity, and regeneration work—can improve habitat for birds and strengthen overall forest health. Participants will see real examples on the ground and learn how similar projects could be applied on their own land. This relaxed walk, along established trails, is designed for woodland owners and anyone interested in learning how thoughtful forest care can support birds during migration and throughout the breeding season. Register here: https://forms.gle/dCUXxvgiX1o7ovuc7

04/16/2026

Did you know grassland birds are the most rapidly declining group of birds on our continent? Vermont Coverts will host Kevin Tolan from Vermont Center for Ecostudies as he discusses the importance of providing long-term habitat for grassland birds. Learn about the origin of North American grasslands, the threats they face, and what local conservation opportunities are available here in Vermont. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eLgGt2IwRLOhu6oTPb06CQ or at the link in our bio. Email confirmation will be sent upon registration.

Photo Credit: Charles Gangas

04/15/2026

One of the early sounds of spring are the vocalizations of Spring Peepers (Pseudacrus crucifer). True to their name, the small frogs are one of the first amphibians you can spot as the weather warms and let out a "peep" sound through their vocal sacs. To identify them, you can also look for the "x" cross pattern on their backs, light to dark brown coloration, and lack of dorsolateral ridges.

04/06/2026

Join Tim Duclos, Forest Program Ecologist with Audubon Vermont, online to learn about Vermont’s forest birds and how landowners can enhance the bird community on their own forested properties. In partnership with Vermont Coverts, this program will provide an overview of key conservation concerns for forest birds, offering practical strategies that property owners can apply to support a rich bird community. Whether through passive or active management, attendees will learn actionable steps to support better habitat for birds. Watch for scheduled field walks in May and June. Tim will also share about landowner visits and Audubon's Forester Endorsement program. Register at the link in our bio!

03/25/2026

Join us for a special speed-dating-style legacy planning program where you move from table to table and have one-on-one conversations with lawyers, foresters, financial and estate planning professionals, and those who have just been through the process. Each is ready to answer your questions about passing your land to the next generation. To register for one of the sessions, call the library at (802) 985-5124 and specify which session. This program is organized by VT Coverts and the Pierson Library. Each registrant will receive a copy of For the Future of Your Forest at the event.

03/20/2026

Today marks the spring equinox! Soon more trees will begin to bud, plants will begin sprouting, and wildlife will be moving throughout the landscape.

It's a great time to sit down and watch the woods transform, taking inventory of what changes you experience. Note the sounds of birds returning, the colors of fresh foliage, and the smells of brand-new blooms. Writing these observations down, making sketches, or taking photos are all ways to enjoy the return of spring while documenting your natural communities.

Picture credit: Solon Rhode

Address

86 Main Street
Vergennes, VT
05491

Telephone

+18028772777

Website

http://www.vtcoverts.org/, https://linktr.ee/vtcoverts

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