Join Green Mountain Conservancy at the Deer Run Nature Preserve Trailhead for a day of hikes and invasive species removal!

Where: 940 Camp Arden Road, Dummerston, VT
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10 am.

Choose an activity that best suits your interests and abilities. Bring your lunch, snacks, water and work gloves if you plan to help with invasive removal. Registration is not needed.

  • Earth Day Meander: Wander with Mary Ellen Copeland into the glorious Deer Run woodland. Visit the lair of the porcupine, see where a bear has scratched on a power pole, learn why the forest floor is covered with “pillows and cradles”, and why it is not a good idea to “tidy up” the forest floor.
  • Intermediate Hike: Join Roger Haydock, GMC trail builder extraordinaire, on a guided hike, with ample descriptions of the geology and natural features of the area and plenty of time for discussion and questions.
  • Rigorous Hike: Accompany Dan Dubie, Naturalist/Ecologist to the Monument, where you can:
      • join the crew working near the monument on barberry invasive removal;
      • take the Shoulder Trail to a magnificent view up the West River Valley;
      • take the Ravine Trail to the meadow, or
      • return to the trail head.
    • Self-Guided Hike: Wander on your own or with your own group of family and friends, on any of the Deer Run trails. There is a large trail map at the trail head and smaller maps you can take along with you.
    • Japaneses Barberry Removal: Work on removal of a well-established patch of Japanese barberry in a rich northern hardwood forest so that it will not continue to be a seed source and prevent the growth of a high quality forest dominated by aging sugar maples and white ash. To participate in this activity, join the hike to the Monument with Dan Dubie. Bring work gloves if you have them.
    • Glossy Buckthorn Removal: Cut or pull glossy buckthorn near the trail head in a young forest dominated by white pine, black cherry, and blueberry. This young forest is just establishing itself and we hope to provide ample room and opportunity for a diversity of native plants to take hold by keeping the buckthorn at bay. Tools will be provided. Bring work gloves if you have them. You will be assured of a great feeling of satisfaction as you do this work for the future of the forest.

    These activities will leave plenty of time for you to participate in the Earth Day Festival on the Brattleboro Common from 1-4.