Conference Field Trips

Field trips are ticketed events, for which advanced registration is required by April 12. Field trips are conference events, and as such, participation in them is limited to those registered for the conference. Except if otherwise noted, transportation from the convention center to the field trip destination will be via carpooling. Prior to the conference, we will forward the names and email addresses of all those who sign up for a field trip to the field trip organizer, who will contact each participant in advance to set up a time for a brief meeting to provide directions and work out the details of who will be driving. If you signed up for a field trip and if you have not heard from the field trip leader by April 18, we advise you to contact him/her (email listed in info given below) to confirm your attendance and the logistical details. Also, if you had registered for a field trip, but then realize you will not be able to attend, please promptly notifiy the field trip leader so that they know who to expect and can offer your spot to someone else in the event the field trip has filled up and there is a waiting list.

 

Field Trip 1: Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 4 pm

Location:  Meet at VINS, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT. Located just off of Route 4 (Exit 1 on I-89). Approx. 1 hr 25 min drive from the conference venue.

Instructors: VINS staff.

Description: VINS Nature Center (https://vinsweb.org/) features non-releasable raptors, songbirds, and a couple of reptiles, as well as a Forest Canopy Walk and trails across 47 acres of riverside forest. The program for the day is as follows:
10:00 - 11:00 am: Nature center opens, guests may explore the exhibits and trails.
11:00 - 11:30 am: Predators of the Sky program delivered by the wildlife ambassador education staff featuring live birds of prey and flight demonstrations.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Explore the center/eat lunch. The nature store has sandwiches and beverages in stock, but there are many local restaura
nts nearby as well and attendees are able to leave the center and return.
12:30 - 1:30 pm: Meet & greet with various staff at VINS about their field of work, from the educators that provide engaging programs to visitors of all ages, bird trainers, rehabilitators, and researchers. Great for inquiring about the unique work that we do here as well as making professional connections to others in the field.
1:30 - 4:00 pm: Guests may stay for the afternoon until the nature center closes, or head out whenever they need to throughout the day. Other public programs in the afternoon include a tour of the songbird aviary (1 pm) and raptor feeding time in the exhibits (2 pm). There will also be an optional opportunity to observe a training session with some of the ambassador birds at 2:30 pm for conference attendees.

For more information, contact Mya Wiles at mwiles@vinsweb.org

Cost per person: $15.50 (discounted group rate ... just mention you are attending the Northeast Natural History Conference). Attendees will need to pay VINS directly upon arrival at the Nature Center.

 

Field Trip 2: Innovative Strategies to Restore Degraded Forested Riparian Buffers at Shelburne Farms

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 1 pm

Location:  Meet in the parking lot by the front gate and store at Shelburne Farms: 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.

Instructors: Jess Rubin, UVM ALE Department, MycoEvolve

Description: Join us at Shelburne Farms to walk from a critical source area through a degraded riparian forested buffer past 2 restoration studies to the outlet at Orchard Cove in Unceded Abenaki Territory. This tour will cover topics such as manual nonnative species removal, mycorrhizal ecology, phosphorus remediation, mycoremediation, phytoremediation, pollinator habitat, interspecies diversity, grassroots community collaboration, ecoliteracy, rematriation, and soil science amidst whole system principles: reclaiming the commons and socio-ecological reconciliation. While early spring, ephemerals and early bloomers will likely be sharing their glory amidst the restored areas. We will highlight site history, colonial agriculture’s legacy, research and restoration methodology, data from 2 years of the current study, data from the 6-year pilot project, their context within the restoration and regenerative agriculture movements, as well as broader implications for bioregional watershed and trophic resilience. Gear: It may be cold and wet so bring waterproof, insulated boots, layers, water, and any snacks needed to stay warm and cozy.

For more information, contact Jess Rubin at Jessica.Rubin@uvm.edu

Limited to 25 participants.

No Fee

 

Field Trip 3: The Flora of Niquette Bay State Park

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Location:  Meet at Niqueete Bay State Park, 274 Raymond Rd.,Colchester, VT 05446.

Instructor: Peter Hope, Emeritus Instructor, Saint Michael's College

Description: We will walk along the Ledges trail that has some short climbs and a longer descent. We will examine the plants with an emphasis of the calciphilic ferns and the early, rich spring flora of the area. Bring a hand lens if you have one.

For more information, contact Peter Hope at phope@smcvt.edu

Limited to 20 participants.

No Fee

 

Field Trip 4: Reading Rock Point

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Location:  Meet at the end of Killarney Drive near the bike path, Burlington, VT.

Instructor: Alicia Daniel, UVM Field Naturalist Program and Vermont Master Naturalist

Description: Join Alicia Daniel to explore the Rock Point landscape from bedrock to birds. Rock Point is a beautiful example of the Champlain Thrust Fault with stunning cliffs and rare natural communities. It also provides lakeside habitat for birds like Ravens and falcons and mammals like Mink.

For more information, contact Alicia Daniel at alicia@vermontmasternaturalist.org

Limited to 18 participants.

No Fee

 

Field Trip 5: Tour of EAB Biocontrol Sites

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

Location:  Meet in South Hero, VT (5 Featherbed Ln, South Hero, VT 05486); proceed to North Hero State Park (3803 Lakeview Dr, North Hero, VT 05474).

Instructor: Josh Halman, VT Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

Description: This field trip will visit the Champlain Islands, an area that has been dealing with the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) since the insect’s detection in 2018. The field trip will visit two sites in the islands that have received biocontrol releases in recent years to reduce EAB pressure on ash trees in the area. Participants will learn about biocontrol-release methods, what makes a good biocontrol site, and impacts and goals of the releases. This field trip requires participants have a mode of transportation to get to the sites. Round trip drive time is estimated to be 2 hours.

For more information, contact Josh Halman at joshua.halman@vermont.gov

Limited to 10 participants.

No fee.

 

Field Trip 6: Life on the Edge: An Ecological Exploration of Rock Point

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location:  Meet at 5 Rock Point Road, Burlington, VT.

Instructor: Jacob Holzberg-Pill

Description: One of the most spectacular natural areas in the State of Vermont. Rock Point is a special place within the Champlain Valley as it is home to some unique natural communities that aren't common in Vermont, and it is also a worldwide destination for geologists to see a remarkable exposure of a geologic feature that provides a glimpse into the past from millions of years ago.

For more information, contact Jacob Holzberg-Pill at jacob.holzbergpill@gmail.com

Limited to 25 participants.

Fee: Rock Point sometimes charges a $5 per person, but will try to get that waived.

 

Field Trip 7: Spring Wildflowers at Russell Farm Trails in Hinesburg

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 1:30 to 4:00 pm

Location:  Meet in Hinesburg: from Hinesburg Town Hall, go south on Route 116 for 0.1 miles. Turn left into St. Jude's Catholic Church driveway and go around the church to the back (east) parking lot. https://maps.app.goo.gl/R5rCg1eaNyuy2b8z5.

Instructor: Everett Marshall, Botanist, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Description: We will explore an old Sugar Maple woods along the Russell Farm trails, a moderate 2.5-mile walk through rich dolostone terrain veined with calcite. These soils support an exceptional early spring bloom, and we may even spot one of the season's first fungal surprises—the vivd scarlet Elf Cup.

For more information, contact Everett Marshall at everett.marshall@vermont.gov

Limited to 20 participants.

No fee.

 

Field Trip 8: Joe's Pond-Morrisville, a walk through UVM's newest Natural Area

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 1:30 pm

Location:  Meet at the site (688 Stancliff Rd, Morristown, VT 05661)

Instructor: Emily DeAlto, second-year Field Naturalist Program student, with also a brief intro from Carolyn Loeb, Stewardship Director of Stowe Land Trust

Description: Join Field Naturalist Emily DeAlto in a walk around UVM Natural Areas Program's newest site, Joe's Pond-Morrisville. We will wander through the short trail system and along the wetlands, discussing the natural history and formation of the peatlands here. We will also discuss the influence of Beavers at this peatland and compare it to other peatlands that surround the site, including Molly Bog (another UVM Natural Area) and Morristown Bog (owned by the State of Vermont). Other topics might include birds, plants, and natural communities found throughout the site, and the role of Stowe Land Trust in managing this property and working with UVM. The trails are accessible to most abilities but are not wheelchair accessible. 

For more information, contact Emily DeAlto at emily.dialto@uvm.edu

Limited to 30 participants.

No fee.

 

Field Trip 9: Split Rock Wild Forest, Westport, NY

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 4:30 pm

Location:  Meet at the Essex Ferry parking area, Essex, NY, at 10:00 am, then carpool to the NYS DEC trailhead located on Shore Rd. 5.9 miles south of Essex ferry parking area. Those coming from VT can take the 9:30 or earlier ferry as a walk on or with their car from the Charlotte terminal. We will plan to be back at the Essex terminal to catch the 4:30 pm ferry. Note: ferry times subject to change pending spring schedules, which have not been posted.

Instructor:Jerry Jenkins, John Davis, and Brett Engstrom

Description: We plan to do a loop through some classic dry rich oak-hickory woods on a rocky West Champlain hill to a stunning overlook high above Snake Den Habor where we will pay our respects to a couple chinkapin oaks at the species’ most northern outpost in NY. Our focus will be on woody plants, herbs, grasses, sedges, mosses, and rocks; and animals furred, feathered, shelled, or chitinous. Hiking will be equal parts off and on trail, with the off trail moderately strenuous on rocky, sometimes steep slopes. Bring lunch and water and wear tick-repellant clothing. 

For more information, contact Brett Engstrom at engstrombrett@gmail.com

Limited to 12 participants.

No fee.

 

Additional 2026 NENHC field trips will be listed here as they are confirmed.