Critical Wildlife Habitat Map Under Review
by Linda Hamilton

Almost all of Charlotte is potential wildlife habitat, right? Well, yes, but areas vary in the number and uniqueness of plants and animals and ecological functions they support. And location is important, too, since biological diversity can be maintained only if habitats are connected. The formulators of the early Charlotte Town Plans recognized this and included the first Critical Wildlife Habitat Map as a guide to where these particularly valuable natural areas occur. In the almost 20 years since the first map was developed, the town’s Conservation Commission has led a concerted effort to collect information and carry out studies to expand and deepen its understanding of the wildlife and wildlife habitat that is a much-loved part of the area’s rural landscape. Guided by wildlife science and improved aerial photo interpretation, the map was revised in the late 1990s.
The second and most extensive professional review and revision of the map is now underway with partners, including Lewis Creek Association and Vermont Fish and Wildlife. This brings the Charlotte habitat map into sync with the general principles of landscape ecology and recommendations from the recent Vermont Biodiversity Project and the Vermont Wildlife Action Plan. The new Significant Wildlife Habitat Map refines the current map in important ways and documents the attributes and ecological functions of areas in an associated database.
It is expected that the new map will become part of the Town Plan by vote in November, and the computer database will be available to anyone who wishes to use it – for education, resource stewardship and to guide conservation and development activities.
Want to learn about what is considered “significant wildlife habitat” in Charlotte and why? This is your special invitation to join the Charlotte Conservation
Commission and its mapping update team on May 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall for a public slide presentation and discussion with consulting ecologists Jesse Mohr and Matt Kolan, who have been helping with the map and database since 2006.
Jesse and Matt will also guide the May 31 nature outing in the Charlotte Walks series, on the theme of “Birds, Herps and Habitat of Charlotte’s Hills.” Don’t miss these opportunities to learn more about the natural wonders in Charlotte and make the connection between habitat maps and the town’s mosaic of natural communities and roaming wildlife.
Contact Linda Hamilton at ferntip@gmavt.net for more information.