Forests, Wildlife, Communities Project Oct. 30th Event
The Forests, Wildlife, Communities (FWC) Project is a fantastic planning initiative has been taking place in the Valley over the past year. This is an effort to bring diverse interest groups and residents together to share information and strategies for wildlife and forestland conservation. The project intends to create a coordinated approach to wildlife and forestland conservation through providing assistance in conservation efforts across town boundaries and providing mapping data, planning information and guidance that could benefit landowners and local conservation planning efforts.
Partners in this effort are the Mad River Valley Planning District, Audubon Vermont, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife, Northern Forest Alliance, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The project is supported through a grant from the Wildlife Action Opportunity Fund of the Wildlife Conservation Society. A full description of the project in PDF is available here: fwcpdescription.
The project has included a variety of landowner workshops exploring management practices to benefit wildlife (eg: Invasives on Your Property) and landowner bird habitat assessments. A successful Natural Resources Values Forum took place in the spring of this year, resulting in 45 attendees identifying places in the Valley that are well used and valued by residents.
The results of the Forum, along with other work undertook by the Steering Committee, will be presented on October 30th, 7-9 PM, at the 1824 House. All Valley residents are encouraged to attend this event, which will include information and initiatives relevant to creating a balance between the interests of people, forests, and wildlife.
A PRESENTATION OF THE FORESTS, WILDLIFE, COMMUNITIES PROJECT
OCTOBER 30 – 7-9 PM – 1824 HOUSE BARN WAITSFIELD
The forests of the Mad River Valley provide a home to wildlife and provide its residents and visitors with recreational opportunities, timber, fuel, views, and a sense of place.
How can the Valley best protect these vital resources?
As a follow up to the community values forum last spring, please join us for a presentation and open discussion on the following topics:
- Forest Fragmentation: What is it, why it is a concern, and what are the implications for diverse uses of the forest such as recreation, timber management, wildlife, watershed protection, and carbon sequestration.
- Wildlife resource maps for the Mad River Valley: How suitable is the valley for sustaining wildlife?
- What are the trends in the Valley and Vermont concerning the fragmentation of forests?
- What are the results of the community values mapping exercise performed last spring?
- How will future development in the Valley impact forests and wildlife?
- What are the strategies for protecting forests and wildlife?
The event is free and open to the public. Questions contact: Jamey Fidel, Vermont Natural Resources Council (223-2328 x. 117) or Joshua Schwartz, Mad River Valley Planning District (496-7173).