Land Acquisition in Vernon

While researching another topic for Nature Finds, I came across this release from our Vermont Fish and Wildlife; Land Acquisition and Conservation pertaining to the Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area located in both Guilford and Vernon, VT. I'm positive that readers will be as excited as I am to learn of this acquisition in the works!

Instead of paraphrasing and risk making a mistake with the information, I hope that readers will pardon me for coping and pasting it. To view the original release please click on the  Vermont Fish and Wildlife link.

Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area – Vernon

Bounded by Interstate 91 on the west and the Massachusetts border on the south, the Roaring Brook WMA consists of 1,401 acres in the towns of Guilford and Vernon. The WMA consists of 11 separate parcels ranging in size from 10 to 995 acres. Due to its southernly location, many of the tree and plant species are unique to Vermont and are more like those found in Massachusetts, including rhododendron, mountain laurel, scarlet and white oak, and American chestnut. Significant natural communities found on Roaring Brook WMA are vernal pools, red maple-black gum swamp, and sugar maple–ostrich fern riverine floodplain forest.

The 400-acre Weinstein property is a strategically located property that will connect the northern portion of the existing WMA while significantly complimenting its diversity with many of the unique natural communities on the WMA.

The 27-acre Skibniowsky tract on the western side of Lily Pond is a Natural Heritage Registry site and features an example of an Outwash Plain natural community. It has eight rare, threatened and state endangered plant and animal species. Acquisition of an 18-acre privately owned parcel within the WMA is also under negotiation.

Taken in its entirety this project will add 446 acres to Roaring Brook WMA, conserving habitat for two federally listed species, more than a dozen state listed species and two S1 natural communities and many more S2-S3 natural communities.