Field Trips

1. Lake Champlain Cultural and Natural History

In this trip, we'll look at the cultural, archaeological and natural history of Vermont's largest lake,  At 110 miles long,  Lake Champlain is both a transportation corridor and a barrier to human and animal movement. We'll explore the historical significance of this beautiful place and hear from biologists about ongoing studies to understand its ecology. We'll make stops at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, the Champlain Bridge and Mt Independence. Mt. Independence is the most intact Revolutionary War site in the US.

This is a bus trip with several stops focused on the cultural, archaeological and natural history of Vermont's largest lake. The group will have opportunities to walk around at several stops (up to 2 miles). Water and lunch will be provided but please bring a refillable water bottle if you are able. A backpack, sunblock, bug spray, and rain coat are also advisable. We’re looking forward to a great trip. 

2. Reptiles and Amphibians of VT

In this hands on excursion, participants will explore wetlands and vernal pools in southern Addison County looking for a variety of Vermont's amphibian and reptile species including,  wood frogs, spotted salamanders, eastern musk turtle, painted turtle, and snapping turtle. We'll visit wetlands in the Pond Woods Wildlife Management Area, a successful salamander crossing structure and a road segment that is in design for a series of snake crossings. The trip will involve about 1.5 miles of hiking. Expect to be moving around wetlands where rubber boots are recommended for versatility but not required.

This is a bus trip with several stops focused exploring wetlands and vernal pools in southern Addison County looking for a variety of Vermont's amphibian and reptile species including, wood frogs, spotted salamanders, eastern musk turtle, painted turtle, and snapping turtle. The group will have opportunities to walk around at several stops (up to 2 miles). Water and lunch will be provided but please bring a refillable water bottle if you are able. A backpack, sunblock, bug spray, and rain coat are also advisable. The conference will be providing an orange vest to each participant. We ask that you wear the vest as several stops will be in proximity to the road. We’re looking forward to a great trip. 

3. Moose and their Habitat in VT

Moose are an iconic Vermont species. Motorists, cyclists and hikers may be lucky enough to experience this majestic animal standing shoulder deep in roadside wetlands seemingly unconcerned, or unfortunate enough to see a dark, hulking shape in the middle of a rural road in the middle of the night. Participants in this trip will learn more about moose biology and ecology and will stop at several locations of prime moose habitat in Groton State Forest including; Osmore Pond, the Groton Nature Center and Seyon Ranch. Be prepared to hike about 1.5 miles.

This is a bus trip with several stops focused on moose and their habitat. These sites are likely to be buggy with black fly and mosquito. Trip leaders will have some bug spray but we recommend bringing your own. Even bringing a head net wouldn’t be too much! The group will have opportunities to walk around at several stops (up to 2 miles). Water and lunch will be provided but please bring a refillable water bottle if you are able. A backpack, sunblock, and rain coat are also advisable. We’re looking forward to a great trip.

4. Road Crossings in the Northeast

The Vermont landscape of scattered quaint villages and rural countryside represents a special context for wildlife road crossings. Scattered driveways and far flung housing limit many crossing opportunities and significant flooding events are on the rise in the face of a changing climate. These create both challenge and opportunity as Vermont looks to focus on a statewide system of bridges and culverts that meet multiple values including flood resilience, aquatic organism passage and terrestrial wildlife movement. Route 12 passes through a large area of conservation concern and action. On this exciting road tour, participants will see under-bridge wildlife shelves, culvert replacements and floodplain restoration sites exemplifying our approach.

This is a bus trip with several stops focused on habitat connectivity opportunities undertaken on the central Vermont landscape. The group will have opportunities to walk around at several stops (up to 1 mile). Water and lunch will be provided but please bring a refillable water bottle if you are able. A backpack, sunblock, bug spray, and rain coat are also advisable. The conference will be providing an orange vest to each participant. We ask that you wear the vest as several stops will be in proximity to the road. We’re looking forward to a great trip. 

5. Vermont’s Cultural and Natural History -- BIKE TRIP

In this unique trip, we'll explore Vermont's cultural and natural history BY BIKE! As many of you know, usually our field trips are by bus. This time we will give the bus and climate a break and bike-trip. Participants can bring their own bike, or rent nearby. We will  explore the Island Line bike trail along the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain. We'll see how 460 million years of geologic history have shaped the Vermont landscape and created a unique ecological stage for our people and transportation system. We'll stop along the bike path to see carnivorous plants in Colchester Bog, geologic layering that is evidence of plate tectonics, the Winooski river delta and an old rail causeway that allows cyclists out into the middle of the lake. Participants will bike approximately 15 miles on mostly flat, paved bike trail that is separate from the road network.

The bike trip is focused on how 460 million years of geologic history have shaped the Vermont landscape and created a unique ecological stage for our people and transportation system. As you may recall from the registration materials, this will involve biking 15 miles on Burlington’s Island Line bike trail. Participants can bring their own bike, but rentals will be provided. Please be ready to go (with you bike if you’re bringing one) by 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday June 7th in the Hotel lobby. 

Please bring 

• A backpack (or pannier if bringing your own bike) You will need a means of holding your lunch, water bottle, and personal items. 
• A refillable water bottle. (or two) There will be several locations where we can fill water bottles but do not count on water fountains. 
• An orange vest (will be provided to all conference attendees). You must wear the vest so we can designate participants of the trip. 
• A rain coat / extra layer. It’ll likely be a tad chilly in the morning on a bike and (hopefully) much warmer later in the day. 
• Optional sun block and bug repellant. Trip leaders will have some, but great if some participants have some as well. 

Please do NOT wear clip-in bike shoes that will make it difficult to walk. We will be leaving the locked bikes on occasion and need to walk (up to a ¼ mile) to get to a stop. 

The rental bikes come with helmets and bike locks. If you bring your own bike, please bring your own helmet. The conference will be providing bag lunches that we will each be carrying on the trip. Trip leaders will have a small amount of extra room to carry gear that others can’t, but please be as prepared as you can. Trip leaders will be carrying some basic bike repair tools and tubes and a first aid kit. Please let us know if you have any concerns. We are looking forward to a great adventure! 

6. Land Use & Transportation Planning in BTV (Half-Day)

In this half-day walking tour around Burlington, participants will meet with city planners and Department of Public Works professionals to learn more about the City's efforts to invest in bike/ pedestrian infrastructure and utilize rail that brings freight and passenger service into our city center.  We'll see the City's railyard and train station that now connects Burlington with New York City and Montreal (with a bus connection) as well as our bike network and other planning efforts. Participants should expect to walk for about 2 miles on city sidewalks.

This is an afternoon (half/day)  walking trip with several stops focused on land use planning and multi-modal transportation issues facing Vermont’s largest city. The group will walk to stops around the city (approximately 2 miles of walking) on city sidewalks. Please bring a refillable water bottle if you are able. A backpack, sunblock, bug spray, and rain coat are also advisable. We’re looking forward to a great trip.