Informative, hands-on and exciting workshops for the woodland enthusiast. Working Woodlands Workshops are held throughout the year at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical park. Come learn from forestry professionals, scientists, landowners and inspiring community members. Explore diverse topics ranging from tree identification, low-impact harvesting, sawmilling, Timber Stand Improvement, animal tracking, trail maintenance, invasive plant control and so much more. Learn techniques and knowledge to help you understand, manage, conserve and experience woodlands. Our winter workshops are co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Vermont Woodlands Association.
Vermont Forest Birds Working Woodlands Workshop
Saturday, June 22, 2019, 7:30-9:30am
**Please note the workshop has been cancelled for the original scheduled date of May 25th, it will be rescheduled to June 22** The hills are alive with the sound of birds! But what exactly are they telling us? The NPS Northeast Temperate Network has been monitoring bird populations in the park since 2006. Join us for this 2 hour workshop where Ed Sharron, NPS Science Communication Specialist, will share some of the findings revealed by the monitoring and explain how you can get involved in this volunteer run monitoring program. We'll also learn how to identify the songs of common birds in the park's forest and then head out for a walk around the park to look and listen for birds.
A limited number of binoculars will be available for loan. Please dress appropriately for extended outdoor activity. Co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Vermont Woodlands Association.
Location – Carriage Barn Visitor Center, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP, Woodstock VT Parking is available in the Billings Farm & Museum overflow lot, located on Old River Road. Fee – No cost Reservations – Please pre-register as space is limited. Contact us at the National Park (information below) to reserve your space. Be sure to tell us how many are coming. Contact – To register or learn more call (802) 457-3368 x 222, or e-mail us at ana_mejia@partner.nps.gov
NPS Photo
Mission Monarch: State of the Butterfly
Working Woodlands Workshop
Wednesday, June 26th 5pm-8pm
Did you know populations of Vermont’s state butterfly, the Monarch, have been declining dramatically over the last two decades? While conservation research has focused on this issue, there are still many unknowns in the ecology of this beautiful and tenacious species. Join us for this workshop, brought to you by the National Park, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and the Montreal Insectarium, and learn how you can get involved in documenting Monarch breeding this summer! The workshop will prepare you with everything you need to participate in the 2019 International Monarch Monitoring Blitz. From July 27th to August 4th, observers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be surveying milkweed plants in search of all life stages of Monarchs. Data will be collected by Mission Monarch and used to paint a better picture of Monarch populations.
André-Philippe Drapeau Picard from the Montreal Insectarium will lead a presentation on Monarch biology, their conservation status, and actions you can take to help them thrive. Then, head into the Park to survey milkweed plants and assess Woodstock’s Monarch population! Data will be reported to Mission Monarch to contribute to the greater monitoring effort. You can then take your skills to your community and organize Monarch monitoring field trips during the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz! All ages welcome!
Co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Vermont Woodlands Association.
Location: Forest Center, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP, Woodstock VT. Parking is available in the Billings Farm & Museum overflow lot, located on Old River Road.
Fee – No cost Reservations – Contact us at the National Park (information below) to reserve your space. Be sure to tell us how many are coming. Contact – To register or learn more call (802) 457-3368 x 222, or e-mail us
NPS Photo Credit L Shahi
Habitat Management for Landowners
Working Woodlands Workshop
Saturday, June 29, 2019, 9-11:30am
Are you a landowner wondering what you can do to improve habitat for wildlife and promote native tree species in your woods? This workshop led by Travis Hart, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, will provide you with the basics to get you started on creating a habitat management plan to promote desirable species and minimize habitat for invasive species. Travis will also provide an overview of programs that provide funding for landowners to implement habitat projects in their woods. Indoor presentation will be followed by a hike around the park to learn about habitat requirements for different species. Co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Vermont Woodlands Association.
Location – Forest Center, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP, Woodstock VT. Parking is available in the Billings Farm & Museum overflow lot, located on Old River Road. Fee – No cost Reservations – Contact us at the National Park (information below) to reserve your space. Be sure to tell us how many are coming. Contact – To register or learn more call (802) 457-3368 x 222, or e-mail us at e-mail us
NPS Photo
Vital Signs: Tracking Soil Health
Working Woodlands Workshop
Saturday, August 3rd 9am-12pm
Restoration of soil health positively impacts water quality, reduces the impacts of flooding and drought, improves nutrient density of foods, and can mitigate climate change; sequestering carbon and restoring land water cycles that can cool the planet. Learn about the soil health principles and simple ways to implement them in the backyard and beyond. We'll review an assortment of accessible tools that allow you to accurately track changes over time in the health of your soil and local ecosystem. Hands-on, outdoor workshop. Dress appropriately; prepare for bugs, heat, sun or rain.
Cat Buxton is a busy cross-pollinator from Sharon, VT focused on ecosystem resilience. Her business, Grow More, Waste Less, is empowering and connecting communities to affect positive change from the ground up. A self-described microbe geek, Cat loves to talk about bugs, soil, gardening, and composting, pretty much wherever she goes. She manages the edible schoolyard at Thetford Elementary School, weaving it into K-6 project based learning, and is a technical guide for school compost systems. She leads Land Listener workshops with the Soil Carbon Coalition, and organizes the Upper Valley Apple Corps and a host of other projects including the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition. She consults, teaches, and presents about soil and ecosystem health to individuals of all ages and groups of all sizes.
Co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Vermont Woodlands Association.
Location – Forest Center, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP, Woodstock VT. Parking is available in the Billings Farm & Museum overflow lot, located on Old River Road. Fee – No cost Reservations – Contact us at the National Park (information below) to reserve your space. Be sure to tell us how many are coming. Contact – To register or learn more call (802) 457-3368 x 222, or e-mail us at e-mail us.
