Vermont's meadows and forest edges are always lovely - picture the waves of greenery dotted with flowers swaying gently in the breeze. How often do you stop and look closely at that mass of plant life? Doing so with Allison Turner will open your eyes to things that have been right before your eyes for years. Allison is a Doctor of Pharmacognosy (the study of drugs obtained from plants and other natural sources) who is on a first name basis with Vermont's plant communities, and will share their stories with you on this walk ... such as the carnivorous insect-trapping-and-digesting sundew that can be found on Hogback.
We can expect to see native and non-native plants, invasives and possibly even some uncommon species. Allison will explain the medicinal uses for several local plants, both according to folklore and to modern science. This will be an easy walk, since we'll be stopping every few feet to look at a new plant.
Meet at 10:00 AM at the Tower Trail kiosk, behind and to the right of the Vermont Distillers building at 7755 VT Route 9. There is plenty of parking across Route 9 in the large parking lot. Registration is required as participation is limited to 20 people. Sign up by email to hmca@hogbackvt.org. This event is co-sponsored by the Windham Regional Woodlands Association (WRWA) and the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association (HMCA) and is free and open to the public.