The rampant new woody growth on the three former—now back country—ski slopes that the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association cleared in the past six years is just what we were aiming for, providing food and shelter for a wide variety of birds and animals—along with great opportunity for back country skiers. We're going to be "weeding" a few small spots this weekend, to give it a little nudge here and there. At the base of the "Practice Slope" we'll be cutting out aspen and beech seedlings that are coming up in a nice blueberry patch. We want to encourage those blueberries! Over on the "Meadow" ski slope, we'll cut back some of the stump sprouts that are already so high that they are blocking the view. Our conservation easement, held by the Vermont Land Trust, lists maintaining the views as one of many goals for the parcel. If time allows, we'll head up to the top of the "Great White Way" ski slope and check to see if the invasive buckthorn we cut down last year is truly dead, plus scout some possible locations for a rustic bench. Meet in the field behind the white distillery building on the south side of Route 9.