​In this engaging presentation, Jaclyn Comeau, biologist with the State of Vermont's Bear Project, will help us better understand our ursine neighbors. She will introduce general information about bear ecology and behavior with a focus on their life cycle and food needs. The presentation will also explore conflicts between people and bears, diving deeper into what draws them into our backyards and what we can do to prevent this from happening. Our hope is to increase this community's understanding of bears and to help them take steps to be active stewards of this iconic species.

“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.”
― Samuel Butler
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Dogs take their cues from humans, and it is our responsibility to care for them in a way that supports a welcoming, healthy community - and watershed! Join Ross Saxton of the Mad River Path as he facilitates a conversation about what support dog owners need to best care for the Mad River Valley's trails, lands, and waters. What do you need as a dog owner? What does owning a dog in a sustainable way look like? How can we ensure safe, high quality outdoor recreation with our canine companions?

We want to hear from everyone. Whether you own a dog or not, your voice matters!

This event is being coordinated as part of the #stewardMRV initiative, in which Friends of the Mad River is a core partner.

Doug Tallamy, one of the country’s most renowned conservation scientists and educators will be the featured speaker at a community workshop and dinner. In his captivating speaking style, illuminated with beautiful photos, you’ll learn why biodiversity is so vital to functioning ecosystems and what you can do to provide space and healthy habitats Vermont species need to thrive.

Complementing Doug’s remarks will be a potpourri of conservation resources and tips attendees can put to use on their own land, in their towns and schools.

• How to create friendly habitat for the Vermont’s many bird species;
• What you can do to protect the water that wildlife depends upon;
• Forest management practices that support biodiversity;
•  How to deal with invasive species;
• The central role Vermont plays as species move in response to climate change;
• How to build habitat to support an array of local wildlife; and
• What’s entailed in conserving property.
  
  

Experts from workshop co-sponsors will be staffing stations throughout the event to address these and other relevant topics.

• Audubon Vermont
• Friends of the Mad River
• Friends of the Winooski River
• Northeast Wilderness Trust
• National Wildlife Federation
• The Nature Conservancy Vermont
• Shelburne Farms
• Trust for Public Land
• Vermont Land Trust 

Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 104 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 40 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home was published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers' Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014; Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, was released in February 2020, and his latest book The Nature of Oaks was released by Timber press in March 2021. Doug is the impetus behind Homegrown National Park, a national effort to inspire 20 million acres of native plantings in the U.S. 
 
This COMMUNITY WORKSHOP AND DINNER, sponsored by the Vermont Alliance for Half-Earth and the Vermont Natural Resources Council, is being hosted by Lareau Farm and American Flatbread. 
 
TO ATTEND, YOU MUST REGISTER HERE BY AUGUST 20TH. Do so soon, as space is limited and interest in this event is expected to be very high. There is a $20 minimum donation required. 
 
Feel free to encourage friends and family members join in this celebration of Vermont’s biodiversity and in a movement to grow a Homegrown State Park, all while answering the call of famed naturalist E. O. Wilson to preserve biodiversity:
 
To strive against the odds, on behalf of all life, would be humanity at its most noble.
 
For more information about the workshop, contact Curt Lindberg at vermontallianceforhalfearth@gmail.com. If you have any trouble registering online, reach out to Colin Keegan at ckeegan@vnrc.org.

We invite you to Scrag Mountain Music’s presentation of Watershed at Phantom Theater in Warren. This program of music, in celebration and recognition of the movement of water around us, welcomes the acclaimed Aeolus Quartet for the World Premiere of Evan Premo’s newest piece My River Runs to Thee for string quintet and soprano with text by Emily Dickinson. This piece was commissioned by a friend of Friends of the Mad River in celebration of the organization’s 30th Anniversary in 2020. The concert also welcomes, for the first time, celebrated Abenaki singer-songwriter Bryan Blanchette performing his original songs inspired by water, accompanied by string quintet