Ski Slope Clearing for Wildlife - Work Party #5

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We're rejuvenating habitat for wildlife by clearing the Great White Way, a former ski slope. It's been almost 30 years since the ski area went out of business, and in that time the young returning forest provided key "early successional habitat" (ESH) that many types of wildlife need to successfully reproduce and raise their young. Now the former ski area is conservation land, and the young ESH is turning into more mature forest. In order to rejuvenate the ESH and create a greater variety of wildlife habitats on the mountain, we're cutting five of the former major ski slopes, one every two years. For the first year or two after the clearing work, backcountry skiers will be able to enjoy using the slope again, and hikers will be able to relish the view. After that, the vigorous regrowth will start to create the dense, shrubby ESH habitat that is so supportive of wildlife.

Volunteers are doing almost all of the work. We need people who can wield loppers, haul brush, or run a chain saw. Note that if you will be using a chain saw you MUST wear protective chaps, and head/eye/ear protection. Several sets of protective equipment are available to borrow. Get in touch ahead of time to reserve a set. Work gloves and loppers will also be available to borrow, but if you have your own favorite tool, bring it.

Meet at 9:00 in the field behind the white A-frame building just west of the Hogback Mountain gift shop at the 100-mile view on Route 9 in Marlboro, Vermont. We'll call it a day by noon. Five work parties are planned for this fall. Join us for one or all of them!