By Meghan McCarthy McPhaul Robert McCloskey’s “Make way for Ducklings” is one of my favorite childhood books. I loved the way Mr. and Mrs. Mallard interacted, their seemingly endless search for the perfect nesting place, the description of classic Boston neighborhoods, and the whimsical names of their eight ducklings. Not until I started reading the… Read More »
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds the public that fishing access areas are not safe for swimming because of boating activity. Swimming near a fishing access also is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $162, officials said. The main use of fishing access areas is launching and retrieving motorboats. Vermont… Read More »
Vermont State Parks would like to get more Vermonters camping this summer. The First Time Happy Campers Program aims to do that at five state parks in July and August, along with gear from the Outdoor Gear Exchange. The program is designed to encourage families who haven’t camped before to give it a try. Participating… Read More »
Summer in Vermont is greatly enriched by the state’s many grassland birds, from bobolinks flushing up from a grassy field to the beautiful song of an eastern meadowlark. But many of these species are in decline due to the loss of appropriate grassland habitat. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont Audubon are encouraging… Read More »
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department asks boaters to help nesting loons by enjoying them from a safe distance and taking care with fishing tackle. “We’re asking people to enjoy loons from a distance using binoculars, whether they are in a motor boat, canoe, or a kayak,” said state wildlife biologist John Buck. Loons were… Read More »
University of Vermont Extension master gardeners are available to help answer home gardening questions from gardeners in Vermont and northern New Hampshire. Call the helpline toll-free numbers, 800-639-2230 or 802-656-5421, between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Thursday. Master Gardeners have completed a 13-week horticultural course and 40-hour internship. They can answer questions on a wide range of home… Read More »
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is looking for volunteer citizen scientists to count bats in the greater Champlain Valley and a few other sites around the state this summer. Interested participants should attend a free training at 7:30 to about 9:30 p.m. on June 27 at Rokeby Museum, Route 7 in Ferrisburgh; the rain… Read More »
The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has nominated Bomoseen State Park in Castleton as the best family-friendly fishing spot in Vermont. Bomoseen is now in the running for being named among the foundation’s “Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the Nation.” Online voting is open now through June 29 and each vote is a chance to… Read More »
Summertime brings many grassland birds such as a bobolinks and meadowlarks to open fields across Vermont, but many of these species are in decline due to the loss of grassland habitat. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont encourage landowners to give birds a chance to complete their nesting season simply by altering… Read More »
State health and wildlife officials have one message for people who come across any animals in the wild: “Just leave them be.” The state’s head game warden, Col. Jason Batchelder, says wardens get many calls from people who find little animals they believe are abandoned or orphaned, and take the animals home to care for… Read More »