WAITSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
2008 Annual Report
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With ownership of land come the responsibilities of learning about that land, understanding its attributes and the associated dynamics of real and potential short and long-term change, and developing strategies to manage that change in manners which are favorable to the long-term integrity of the ecosystem.  Management objectives and strategies include the human factor and citizen interests regarding education, recreation, resource management and all the benefits associated with well-considered planning and accomplishment.

Much of the Commission's work to date has been directed to the learning aspect - that is, becoming more familiar with the town-

owned properties, the resources contained and the opportunities presented.

Farm fields and Scrag Mountain Photo: Abigail Cane

For both the 125 acre Wu Ledges and the 589 acre Scrag lands, we now have natural communities surveys and forest bird habitat assessments.  The natural communities surveys identify distinct groups of naturally-occurring forest vegetation and the bird habitat assessments evaluate the current woodland condition in terms of elements suitable or unsuitable for a variety of native birds.  The natural communities surveys were funded primarily through grants from the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.  The forest bird habitat assessments were provided at no cost by Audubon Vermont, and we are most grateful to Audubon for their expertise and fine assistance.

All four of these works will be consulted as we prepare management plans for these properties.  Remaining to be developed are forest inventories, that is, the vegetation distribution patterns, their species makeup and measures of quantity and quality.  All the research will form the bases for management plan development, and the public will be invited to participate.

Trails mapping has been accomplished for the Wu Ledges property, and the Commission is working with the Mad River Riders regarding trail maintenance.  Further on recreation trails, the Commission is working with the Mad River Planning District and the Mad River Path Association to establish paths on Town lands along the Mad River and by the Town pond at the Big Picture Theatre.

We are also working with the Vermont Land Trust to revise the existing protective easement on the Scrag lands and to develop a protective easement for most of the newly-donated lands on and east of the Northfield ridgeline.

All these projects have received the support and participation of Commission members.  Mark Grosby first proposed that a Conservation Commission be formed - after five years, he stepped down as Chair and member in 2008, and we are most grateful for his services, motivation and direction.  Member Kate Williams was elected to the Selectboard, and moved to that post after Town Meeting day.  Thanks to her good interest and contributions.  Through his interest in giving back to the community (his own words), Tom Gardner has joined the Commission and we look forward to his assistance.

Much remains to be done and if you like the outdoors, here's a place for you.  We meet once per month and currently have one vacancy.  We encourage Waitsfield residents who have an interest in conservation to inquire about our projects and consider applying for an opportunity to help direct an important component of our town well-being.

Respectfully submitted,

Leo Laferriere, Acting Chair
Elizabeth Cadwell, Secretary
Tom Gardner
Ted Joslin
Paul Hartshorn
Phil Huffman, Vice Chair
Chris Loomis
Spencer Potter