Volunteering in the Outdoors
by Elizabeth Bassett,
May 20, 2010, page 11.....

Charlotte is no stranger to community service. While a tumultuous 2010 Town Meeting focused on the growing expense of town services, volunteers leverage our tax dollars in dozens of ways every day. Here’s a look at some of the volunteers who shape or enhance the outdoors in and near Charlotte:

Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers are crucial to upkeep and maintenance of the 290-acre park as the Demeter Fund no longer supports it. Crews have been reclaiming the land from invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle and replacing them with native shrubs. The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and The Nature Conservancy also contribute to these efforts. Animal sightings at the Refuge include bobcat, coyote, turkey and deer.

Charlotte Land Trust (CLT). Each July the CLT places signs on land it has helped conserve, “This Land has been Conserved Forever.” Most recently the CLT has been involved in the preservation of 178 acres of the Burleigh Farm on Spear Street and the 362-acre Raven Ridge preserve straddling the three towns of Hinesburg, Monkton and Charlotte. Both properties will include walking trails available to the public. See charlottelandtrust.org.

Lewis Creek Association (LCA). With a focus on water quality, LCA works with other nonprofits, towns and government partners to promote rural economies in the Champlain Valley. Projects include stream buffering, removal of European frogbit at Thorp and Kimball Bays and mapping of wildlife habitat. See lewiscreek.org.
Rutter Family Beautification Fund. A generous bequest from Robin Coleburn’s grandparents, who summered on Thompson’s Point, has fueled the planting of trees throughout the town. Many contributed matching funds to stretch these dollars. Trees grow in a nursery at Robin’s home in preparation for planting along Charlotte roadsides. Have you noticed the many new trees planted this spring? Beautiful.

Trails Committee. Recently the committee has focused on relocation of the Pease Mountain Trail and on the Town Recreational Path that will one day connect Mt. Philo to the Town Beach via the West Village. The re-routed walking trail on Pease Mountain connects CCS to 180 acres of the UVM Natural Area.

Recreation Committee. Volunteers oversee maintenance and improvements at the Town Beach and Recreation Area and the skating rink next to the school. In addition the committee offers sports, dance classes, discount ski passes and tennis lessons.

Green Mountain Club. Steward of hundreds of miles of the Long Trail and its side trails. GMC also offers skills classes and workshops on a range of outdoor topics. See greenmountainclub.org.

Local Motion and Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition. Two vibrant non-profits work to make it safer for all parties to share the road. They offer safety workshops and are a resource for outdoor activities. Check out Local Motion’s Trail Finder. Both websites offer a wealth of information: localmotion.org and vtbikeped.org.

Conservation Commission. Volunteers work to preserve the town’s natural resources in accord with the Town Plan, including mapping critical wildlife habitat and groundwater resources. In conjunction with Audubon Vermont, they have devised bird-friendly guidelines for the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge.

Catamount Trail Association. Like the Long Trail for hikers, the Catamount Trail is a long-distance, backcountry ski trail that stretches the length of Vermont. If you ski on groomed Nordic ski trails you have probably seen the light blue blaze with a black catamount paw print that marks the trail. It connects many of the state’s cross-country ski centers along its route. See catamounttrail.org.

Green Up Day. Big thanks to John Quinney and his team for leading Charlotte’s effort to clean up the roadsides of our town.

Fellowship of the Wheel. A volunteer group, the Fellowship advocates, creates and maintains mountain bike trails in Chittenden County. Information at fotwheel.org.

Tree Wardens. Two wardens oversee trees on the Town Green, in town road rights-of-way, and the woods at Thompson’s Point. They orchestrate planting of new trees through the Rutter Fund. In addition, they contribute articles to The Charlotte News, participate in Arbor Day at CCS, and navigate between parties wherever trees in town are threatened.

Surely there are more volunteer groups, but 13 seems like a lucky number. Consider volunteering for one of these organizations. When you enjoy the outdoors you are a beneficiary of their good work.

Thank you volunteers!