Tour of Wildlife Patch Cut

On Saturday, October 7, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., Windham Regional Woodlands Association will present a second visit, hosted by landowners Lee and Diana Todd, to their patch cut in Halifax, Vt. What does a site cleared with a forest mulcher (aka Brontosaurus) look like after three growing seasons? Come take a look at a patch cut that was cleared in the fall of 2014. The project's goal is to develop early successional habitat for wildlife. The patch is at the intersection of two roads, so it's very visible to the neighbors. The typical reaction after the work was done: "It looks like a bomb went off!" On this field trip, we will see how the patch has changed since the cut, the vegetation that is colonizing the site, and the wildlife that has returned.

DIRECTIONS From Brattleboro: From Exit 2 of I-91, take Route 9 west for about 12.5 miles. At a big bend in the road just before ascending Hogback Mountain, turn left (south) onto Butterfield Rd. to Hatch School Road. Turn right onto Hatch School Rd and go a few hundred yards to the first house on the left (#273, white house, white barn). Park on the lawn. (It's tough. It can take it.)

From Wilmington: Take Route 9 east. After passing the 100-mile view of Hogback, descend the mountain and take the first right (south) onto Butterfield Road. (Just before this turn, there will be a blue-roofed barn on the north side of Route 9.) Then follow the directions as above.

The patch cut is directly across the road from the house. We'll walk along the road a bit, then ramble through the flat, easy terrain of the patch itself, covering no more than about a half mile. Wear footwear suitable for uneven surfaces and bring insect and tick repellent. For more information, contact Diana Todd at diana.todd@comcast.net