2017 Vermont Outstanding Tree Farm Tour 

 

Join us for a tour of Tree Farm #1591, the Stoner Family Tree Farm. David and Jenny Stoner purchased their land in beautiful Greensboro in 1983 after searching for just the right property to manage, steward, and make a difference by owning. The Stoners 361 acres are a Certified Tree Farm that they have worked over the last 30 years to keep their land important to three generations of their family. (Note: 2 Category 1 CFE credits will be available for foresters.)

TIMELINE FOR THE DAY:

8:30 Arrival, snacks, conversation

9:00 Welcome and explanation of day’s activities

9:15 Tours (professionally led and self-guided), tent displays and continuing conversations

11:45 Gather at tent

12:00 Conversations with Dave Adams (Fish & Wildlife), Brenda Kuper-Macdonald (NRCS), and VT State Senator, John Rodgers

12:30 Lunch at pond & networking

1:30 Awards ceremony and presentations at tent and conversations on Succession Planning with Mary Sisock, and Invasive Species with Rose Paul

2:30 Conclusion and departure

There will be three different morning tours of the property. Please choose when registering.

 Wildlife Habitat Management and Land Use History: explore over two decades of work done to improve habitat; release and pruning of more than 300 wild apples, planting berries and fruits, mowing fields and maintaining edges, 2 acre clearcuts to regenerate early successional species, beech tree release in a sugar bush. Visit to the Babcock farm site & replacing a culvert to meet the AMP standards. Easy to moderate terrain, mostly trails.

 Silviculture and Natural Communities: Hike up to the top of the hill through one of Vermont’s more interesting natural communities, enriched northern hardwoods. The walk goes through two thinnings, and on the upper ridge, five two-acre patch cuts laid out to regenerate hardwoods in insect damaged areas; these cuts were laid out to the standards of NRCS programs to improve habitat. Water bottles can be recharged at Gideon’s spring, named for a grandson. Moderate to difficult uphill climb with few trails

 Multiple Use Tree Farm Management: See how this Tree Farm One of the tenants of the American Tree Farm Programs has been to encourage multiple uses of the forest. In this tour, we will see where the management has produced wood, provided recreational opportunities, preserved water quality, and improved wildlife habitat. Also, there will be a stop to look at the Babcock Farm foundation. Easy to moderate terrain mostly along ski trails maintained by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.

$20/person; $10/child 14 and younger (non-refundable) to: VWA, PO Box 6004, Rutland, VT 05702-6004. Registration deadline: August 4, 2017.

Directions to 495 Hanks Hill Road, Greensboro, VT: From the center of Hardwick, head West on 15W until the junction of 14N. Take 14N for 7 miles. Turn right onto South Craftsbury Road for 1 mile. Turn right onto East Craftsbury Rd. for 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Shadow Lake Road for ¼ miles. Right onto Hanks Hill Rd. for ½ mile.From Craftsbury: Take South Craftsbury Rd for .8 miles, then left onto East Craftsbury Rd. Follow the directions above.From Barton/Route 16: Take 16S about 6 ¼ miles. Right onto Shadow Lake Road for 3.4 miles. Left onto Mud Island Rd for 2.5 miles. Straight onto Shadow Lake Road for 2.3 miles. Left onto Hanks Hill Rd for ½ mile.

NOTE: This is a rain or shine event. Dress for the weather. Lunch will be served outdoors at the pond so bring along a lawn chair or plan to enjoy the grass. 

Register Now!