We're excited to be parntnering with the Westminster Conservation Commission and the Southeast Vermont Community Action for this birding walk on Friday, October 3: 

The Westminster Conservation Commission, Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), and the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District invite everyone to join them for a birding event on Oct 3rd, 8:00 AM – 10 AM at SEVCA, 91 Buck Drive, in Westminster.  This event celebrates a collaborative project between the three groups to protect and restore water quality in the adjacent Henwood Hill Marsh. 

Windham NRCD will be working with SEVCA to complete initial site assessment and analysis activities in order to identify a set of potential practices which may include planting native vegetation, restoring wetland areas through plantings and earthwork and installing green stormwater infrastructure such as permeable pavers at the SEVCA site. The final set of practices will be developed in consultation with SEVCA and the results of engineering studies. 

The area is well known as a haven for both resident and migrating birds. Helping to identify birds in the area will be WCNRCD Executive Director Cory Ross, and SEVCA Weatherization Director Victor Baisley. Ross spent 11 years teaching band and choir in Michigan, before his growing passion for the environment and conservation issues led him to return to school. He has worked on a variety of research projects, including banding migrating birds in Northern Ontario, helping to study the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on the declining saltmarsh sparrow in Connecticut and studying the fire ecology of the black-backed woodpecker in Oregon. He has worked for the WCNRCD since 2019 and is also a board member for the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society. 

Vic Baisley earned a degree in zoology from the University of Maine and has built a career that bridges field biology and building science.  His experience includes conducting bat surveys along the Maine coast, researching the links between small mammals and water quality in the Catskills, and managing a research field station in the Maya Mountains of Belize.  He joined SEVCA in 2012 and now directs its weatherization program, which focuses on reducing home energy consumption and costs, and improving health and safety.  Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing hockey, and watching birds.

Please bring binoculars, and wear waterproof shoes or boots. Poison ivy and ticks are possible so wear long pants as well!  Participants MUST register for this event by emailing the Westminster Conservation Commission at westminstervtconservation@gmail.com. The event is rain or shine, but heavy rain may cancel. Registrants in case of cancellation.