2013 Annual Report January 1 through December 31, 2013 “Empowering new generations to appreciate, understand and wisely use the land through science, education and action” T here’s something about the act of building that inspires. Maybe it’s the tangible results, making a useful or beautiful form from many disparate pieces, or witnessing the power of a group’s energies focused on a common cause. At NorthWoods we are always building something, whether it be trails and retaining walls or equally important outdoor skills, ecological knowledge, or long-term conservation partnerships. In 2013, two vital “brick and mortar” building projects took form, within sight of each other and central to our mission, but oth- erwise as different as can be. At NorthWoods the year was spent re-constructing our heating plant from the slab up- a necessity following the November 2012 fire that consumed our boiler and left us struggling to warm our building. This project marshalled resources from many quarters but the result was a building transformed into a state-of-the-art heating plant using firewood from our own property with heat and power backup systems, and a new mainte- nance shop attached. Several miles away as the crow flies, on the summit of Bald Mountain, a decrepit fire lookout cabin on its last legs was transformed through the efforts of our fall conservation crew and many local builders and volunteers into a sturdy and attractive new cabin that should shelter visitors for decades to come. These building projects epitomized the formula that we apply to all of our work: a clear need + hard work + at- tention to detail and pride in the job = a better world. As we introduce this report covering more of the work accomplished by our staff and volunteers in 2013, we want mostly to thank all of the partners, volunteers, and supporters who made these accomplishments possible. And we extend a heartfelt invitation to all to join us in 2014 as we celebrate our 25th anniversary as an organization…and the start of another 25 years inspiring stewardship in this special corner of the world! www.northwoodscenter.org learning about the lore, legend and safe use of an axe. In Spring, end-of-school field trips to NorthWoods focus on teamwork, outdoor exploration, and skill-building. Many groups utilize the nearby Clyde River, with ac- cess to unique wetland species while others opt for the ultimate team-building experience: staying overnight here at our campus. Evening stays are highlighted with night walks, which provide students with an often first- time of experience of tuning their senses to the night. Lyndon Town School’s entire 7th grade class participat- ed in a Willoughby Peaks Challenge– where North- Woods staff led small groups to the summits of several area peaks. On each climb, students learned about local geography, ecology, trail history, and of course, Education Programs the rewards of the climb. In 2013, NorthWoods education staff worked with our Forest Stewardship Institute to complete a forestry I n 2013, nearly 4,500 students participated in over curriculum tied to state standards, with introductory 200 education programs through NorthWoods— lessons in observation and tree identification, and ad- approximately 2/3 at NorthWoods and 1/3 off-site. vanced lessons on silviculture and soils. Many of these That’s a lot of kids! In each program, NorthWoods in- lessons are tied to sites in the Spitzer Demonstration structors try to find the spark that inspires these stu- Forest. The Gardner Path Living History Trail at dents to become stewards of the natural environment. NorthWoods provides a perfect way for students to en- NorthWoods programs change with the seasons. Local gage with history lessons that are told in the land- schools, like St.Pauls School in Barton, visit our cam- scape, from the round barn foundation, to the seeming- pus in the winter months to explore the adaptations ly errant row of black cherries growing amidst a pine that make it possible for animals and humans to sur- plantation. Students unraveled these mysteries of vive (and even thrive) in a winter landscape. Students the past, while using today’s technology – marking study wildlife habits and make tracks of their own on waypoints with a global positioning system (gps) – to snowshoes and cross-country skis – skills that last a enrich their geography and mapmaking class. life-time, and for more than half of these students, are In summer, along with a busy camp season, North- first discovered here at NorthWoods. Woods served as a host site for area summer school NorthWoods’ after-school programs combine education programs, including a group from the Chinese Cultural and movement and include themes such as renewable Immersion program based in Craftsbury. energy, nature awareness, wildlife studies, survival In Fall, student groups utilized NorthWoods as a skills, forestry and recreation. In 2013, afterschool pro- chance to set the tone for the school year – providing a grams took place with the Caledonia North Superviso- solid foundation of teamwork and a passion for inquisi- ry Union, the North Country Supervisory Union, and tive, hands-on learning. This year, Barnet school had the Newport City districts. A group from Brighton an overnight experience that left a lasting impression Elementary School visited NorthWoods for an after- with students when they returned to the classroom – school program series in conservation skills, which highlighting respect for self, for each other, and for the these students gained while helping construct a small world around them. bog bridge, cutting ‘cookies’ with a cross-cut saw, and NorthWoods Stewardship Center / 2013 Annual Report / 2 NorthWoods Stewardship Center / 2013 Annual Report / 3 Public Outreach N orthWoods offered 60 public outreach programs in 2013, connecting 700 community members with recreation, education, conservation science, arts and cultural opportunities. From local musicians perform- ing in the Kingdom Coffeehouse to natural resource professionals sharing their work, our outreach offerings present a wide spectrum of opportunities for public engagement. Our monthly events calendar is available online, in print or through our e-newsletter. In 2013, supported by the Canaday Family Charitable Trust, NorthWoods continued to promote sustainable forestry. Both lifetime loggers and novices participated Camps and Expeditions in the Game of Logging chainsaw trainings, from the Level 1 chainsaw safety and maintenance basics to the Level 4 intricacies of safely removing hazard trees and N orthWoods Summer and Winter Camps connect storm damage clean-up related to ice and flood events. youth with new friends and the outdoor environment, Several outreach events introduced the community to through hands-on exploration, environmental educa- unique sites on the Spitzer Demonstration Forest, tion, recreation, team-building and PLAY. We know from Sustainable Timber Harvesting to Improving Your that as explorers and students, we are each unique. Woodlot: Intermediate Silviculture for Landowners to For some, a canoe trip on the Clyde or Connecticut Tree Anatomy and Tree Identification workshops. River is the most practical way to learn about water quality, geography, and gain outdoor skills. For others, NorthWoods serves as a meeting place for those who finding a caddisfly larva in its uniquely engineered share a common interest in understanding the natural home in NorthWoods’ Lang Brook provides the first world and celebrating our place in it– from the Annual glimpse into the pond and stream life cycles of ma- Mother’s Day Arts and Crafts Fair to recreation and croinvertebrates. And then there are some whose first exploration. Honoring local traditions was a recurring trip to the top of the pine trees on the Holy Cow Swing theme in 2013– from horse-logging to ash pack bas- makes clear the benefit of tackling a new challenge. ket making. NorthWoods partners with local communi- ty groups to further the reach of our programs and ex- NorthWoods offered 7 weeks of Summer Camp and 1 pertise. In 2013, this included collaboration with the week of Winter Day Camp in 2013, engaging nearly 100 Memphremagog Watershed Association, the Sey- young campers in our Nature Day Camp, Survival mour Lake Association and several other local lake Day Camp, Northern Forest Explorer Canoe Camps associations to help lakeshore property owners reduce (in partnership with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail), water pollution. We teamed up with Old Stone House Field Research Camp, and the first Conservation Museum again to explore sections of the historic Hin- Training Camp. man Settler Road, investigating the graves of West Glover’s earliest settlers and following animal tracks as In partnership with Clear Water Carbon Fund, North- we cross-country skied one of the Northeast Kingdom’s Woods facilitated stewardship and science programs at oldest roads. the Jay Peak Summer Camps, where campers learned about the importance of riparian buffers in preserving water quality. They planted trees and studied macro- invertebrates at Jay Peak Ski Resort. Thanks to the Agnes M. Lindsay Charitable Trust and SHAPE Foundation NorthWoods provided 15 camper- ships to families in need. NorthWoods Stewardship Center / 2013 Annual Report / 3 from the project, including a start to finish slideshow, visit our website www.northwoodscenter.org. Spring and fall crews completed 22 weeks—over 3600 hours—of conservation work in 2013. This was highlight- ed by several weeks re-establishing or improving forested riparian buffers on the Connecticut River as well as trail improvements on Bluff Mountain, the Catamount Trail, Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area, and the Connecti- cut Lakes Natural Area in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. During July and early August, NorthWoods Conservation Corps summer youth crews trained for and completed a wide variety of conservation service projects at sites throughout New England. Five crews operating in part- nership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program worked at National NorthWoods Conservation Corps Wildlife Refuge (NWR) units from the Maine border (Lake Umbagog NWR) to Long Island Sound (Stewart B.