News and Updates from the Land

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at the Watershed Center

Darkness now comes ever earlier and pushes dawn well past the edge of day. Even then the sun does not linger, for this is the year’s deepest night, and much of the world lies sleeping. Yet though the forests are cloaked in snow and silence, the great turning of the sky spins onward. Soon the light will be reborn, and one and all are invited to welcome its return at the Watershed Center’s annual Winter Solstice celebration on Sunday, December …

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TWC Completes “Middle Forest” Purchase

The Watershed Center is pleased to announce that it has finalized the purchase of 194 acres of wild forest and endangered species habitat on the western border of Bristol. The landmark acquisition of the so-called Middle Forest unites the organization’s two existing conservation parcels to create a contiguous 946-acre community preserve for education and recreation and was made possible by a successful summer fundraising campaign. The purchase marks the culmination of a community-wide process begun last January, when former owners …

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Vermont Institute of Natural Science Raptor Visit

The Watershed Center is co-sponsoring an exciting event this Friday Vermont institute of Natural Science Raptor Visit Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 pm Holley Hall, Bristol, VT An unforgettable experience, VINS live raptor shows feature a selection of our resident ‘avian ambassadors’. Educational and fun, these presentations will connect you to the masters of the sky while you learn about their amazing adaptations and the critical role they play in our environment.  Donations welcome. Please join us!

Rocks, Dirt, and Plants: A Natural History Tour of The Waterworks Property

On Saturday, August 9th Jon Kim of the Vermont Geological Survey, George Springston of Norwich University, and Everett Marshall of the Vermont Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will lead an integrated natural history tour of The Waterworks Property in Bristol. This outing is not to be missed! The Vermont Geological Survey and Norwich University have recently completed bedrock and surficial geologic maps of the Bristol area. Jon and George will present key elements of the geology of the area. Everett …

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Help Wanted on Watershed Center Biodiversity Project with Mt. Abe Students

Recently the 7th Grade Viking Crew Students at Mt. Abraham School undertook a project at The Watershed Center properties.  We’re excited to support this student initiated project and are asking for the support of the community. Below is the announcement from the students: Please Help us Add Data To the Watershed Center Biodiversity Project We are Mt. Abe students and we started a project that is on iNaturalist.org that will help track the health of the Watershed Center ecosystems. We’d …

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Announcing The Watershed Wildlands Project

The Watershed Wildlands Project Creating an extraordinary conservation legacy nearly 1,000 acres strong. The Watershed Center is excited to announce the start of The Watershed Wildlands Project For two decades, The Watershed Center has been working to preserve one of the last best places in Addison County, a rare landscape of geological wonders, wild ponds, fertile bogs, stunning vistas, towering forests, and Native American archeological sites. The result has been a string of successes from the purchase of the original …

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Update on Parking at The Waterworks Property

Dear Friends of The Watershed Center The Watershed Center would like to update visitors to The Waterworks property on parking during busy times. If the lot is full, please park ONLY on the straight sections of the road before or after the corner at the entrance to the parking lot. Parking on the corner could result in your car being in an unsafe location and subject to removal without notice. The Watershed Center is currently working with the Town, who …

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Come Tour the Middle Forest!

Everyone is invited to help the Watershed Center kick off its new Wildlands Project with a special guided tour of the place we call the Middle Forest on Sunday, June 1. The Middle Forest, which the Watershed Center hopes to purchase with proceeds from the Wildlands Project, sits between the organization’s two existing properties—the Waterworks property and Lost Pond Forest. Its purchase will let the Center combine these two properties and create a single community preserve of nearly 1,000 acres …

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Parking at the Waterworks Property

Dear Friends of The Watershed Center Recently cars using the edge of the road for parking at the Waterworks Property on Plank Road have been subject to towing without notice to car owners or The Watershed Center. We appreciate the support and enthusiasm in the community for visiting this great property and we will be looking into this situation further. In the mean time, we would advise people not to park on the road and try to maximize the current …

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Beltane Celebration

Sunday, May 4th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm The snow has melted and the mud has dried, and that means it’s time to welcome spring at the Watershed Center’s annual Beltane celebration. The Watershed Center’s 11th annual vernal gathering marks the return of warmer days and the start of the land’s new season of growing and giving. Featuring music, poetry, and pageantry, it’s a festive tradition that brings together families of all ages to dance around the maypole and …

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