The Great Backyard Bird count is a Community Science event open to anyone who wants to participate. Join bird watchers from around the globe between February 18 and 21 to be part of this event. How To Participate

Most earthworms present in the northeast are considered exotic. They were introduced in the 18th & 19th centuries via early settlers or through trade of soil and horticultural materials transported from Europe and Asia. New ones are continuing to be introduced spreading through fishing bait, compost and gardening supplies and plant exchanges.

Click to read more about invasive worms

Watch a short video on invasive worms

From the Native Plant Trust:

For the first time in 200 years, every state in New England is losing forest, and the conservation community has issued the call for increased land and habitat protection.

But what’s on the land we seek to protect? Our forests bear little resemblance to those the pilgrims encountered. The mix of trees and understory plants has changed due to the enduring legacy of settlers’ clearcutting and farming, which altered soils and microclimates; to a history of management favoring useful or commercial species; and, more recently, to diseases and pests. The understory vegetation is comparatively species-poor, and non-native plants have a strong foothold. The tale is similar for other habitats in the region, which face a constellation of threats and are losing the plant diversity that makes nature resilient.

Saving acreage from development is an important first step, but conserving native plants on those parcels and private land is critical for sustaining healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. Native plants are the backbone of habitat, for us and for insects, birds, mammals, and other organisms. Plants supply the oxygen we breathe, regulate the climate, and clean the water. They are the base of the food chain that leads to our own dinner table, and the loss of a single plant species can disrupt an intricate web supporting myriad plants and animals.

When native plants are imperiled, the entire ecosystem is at risk ..... click here for full report

Members of Land Ethic Vermont have teamed up to share some of our favorite books about the natural world, conservation, and science. This winter edition has been put together by partners from the Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Woodlands Association, Audubon Vermont, Vermont Coverts, the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Click here for a list of recommended books: Winter 2021 Reading List

Click link for more information about the Vermont Land Ethic group: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6113bb1516a04f79bda868e82c43f0e4

In his recent article "Two Misconceptions About Forests" Chittenden County Forester, Ethan Tapper, writes: Good forest management is more than just cutting valuable trees: it seeks to be regenerative, to improve conditions for wildlife, to make forests more resilient in a changing climate, to protect biodiversity, to benefit our communities and future generations. Read more....

Photo: Leaving snags, or standing dead trees, is an important practice for healthy forest management and provides important habitat for wildlife.

Here is a recent article from Chittenden County Forester, Ethan Tapper, on the topic of managing our forests for pollinators.

Managing Forests for Pollinators - Ethan Tapper

The Jericho Conservation Commission is partnering with the Mobbs Committee to host a spring Bioblitz from May 8-23. 2021.

Why a Bioblitz? A bioblitz is a community science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible, in this case, our own backyard treasure - Mobbs Farm.

Anyone can participate, but you will need to set up an account on iNaturalist to submit your observations. Visit the JCC/Mobbs Bioblitz page to sign up. Our goal is to learn more about the diversity of natural communities that exist within the Mobbs boundaries by inviting residents to make observations of plants, insects, birds, fungi (photographs or sound recordings) during their walks along the trails and submit them to iNaturalist . This project will allow us to continue safe distancing while exploring nature within Jericho. Participants should NOT collect items... follow the "Take only photographs, leave only footprints" mantra. You can make observations any time within the specified dates (May 8-23, 2021) as long as you are anywhere on the Mobbs property.

All participants must follow the parking guidelines and rules of Mobbs while participating in the Bioblitz.

State of Vermont COVID-19 restrictions in place during the dates should be followed.

The Mobbs Farm Property, acquired by the Town of Jericho in 1970, is located approximately one mile south of Jericho Center on Browns Trace. The property consists of over 260 acres of both open and forested land and is roughly separated into two equal halves by Fitzsimonds Road.

Emerald Ash Borer in Vermont

Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive forest pest, has been confirmed in Vermont.

As of October 2020 Jericho is in the Confirmed Infested Area.

EAB is a major threat to our trees and forests. The emerald ash borer has feasted on over 100 million ash trees in the Midwest, where it was first discovered in 2002. Unless treated with insecticides, most infested trees die within 3 to 5 years. Experience in Michigan and other states has shown that once this pest is detected in an area, more detections follow quickly — and the ash trees die rapidly over a few short years. EAB was confirmed in Vermont and 2018 and there are currently confirmed infestations in five Vermont counties.

• Learn how to identify ash trees and emerald ash borer signs and symptoms. Visit VTinvasives.org for more information!
• Look at ash trees for signs and symptoms – if you see a suspicious trees submit photos on the ReportIT! button at VTinvasives.org
• Slow the spread: burn firewood as close to the source as possible and do not move it outside of infested areas.

Photo Credit: Debbie Miller, US Forest Service, Bugwood.org

It is likely that you have heard the drone of woodchipping work in your respective neighborhoods being undertaken on behalf of Green Mountain Power. Perhaps you have additional concerns about what you should be doing with your own ash trees or why this activity is taking place along some Rights-of-Way but not others. On Wednesday, April 28th from 7-8 pm the Jericho Conservation Commission (CC) will host a virtual Q and A to provide facts and current science behind recommendations for the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. Join with our panel of experts, including representatives of GMP and the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Department for this informative session.

There will be a short overview presentation of EAB and then we will turn it over to the public for questions. The panel will be able to answer questions about Ash trees in your yards, roadsides, and woods. Please join us and share what you have learned with neighbors and friends.

If you have questions you would like to submit in advance please send them to CC member, Sabina Ernst (beanvet@gmail.com). The recording will be posted on the CC page of the Jericho website for future reference.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 825 2102 6799
Passcode: 578331
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Meeting ID: 825 2102 6799
Passcode: 578331

Last spring Jericho Conservation Commission member and ecologist, Allaire Diamond, asked her fellow community members for information about the Burlington & Lamoille Railroad, whose bed runs through her neighborhood. Several people responded with very helpful information and connections. In particular, Gary Irish shared some excellent resources and Jerry Fox visited to walk a section of the bed with her. She wrote a short reflection on this unique local feature for Northern Woodlands Magazine, and it's in the March 2021 issue and at this link:

Tracing the Track Article

Thank you also to the landowners who own pieces of the railroad bed and keep it unposted for others to safely explore!