In Moretown, a remarkable transformation unfolded over three days in the last week of April. United by a shared vision, volunteers and a crew from VYCC (Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) planted 1200 trees, each sapling representing a promise of renewal and resilience.

The volunteers hailed from diverse backgrounds and ages, with 70+ volunteers joining us from SunCommon, a solar energy company in Vermont, and 5 students joining from Harwood Union High School. The Wexlers, our hosts, whose stewardship of the land was evident in their every gesture, provided invaluable guidance, support, apples, and coffee all week long.

The three days of planting were marked by laughter, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose. The collaboration between community organizations (Friends of the Mad River and Friends of the Winooski River), landowners, and volunteers showcased the true strength of community. It also highlighted the transformative power of collective action in protecting and preserving natural ecosystems, not just for the present, but for generations to come.

The planting of the 1200 trees symbolizes more than just a physical transformation. It represents a commitment to environmental stewardship, a celebration of community, and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all living things. It's a reminder that small actions, when undertaken with passion and unity, can have a profound impact on people, spaces, and beings around us.

Join us and the Mad River Valley Libraries to discuss "The Light Pirate" by Lily Brooks-Dalton on Monday, May 6th from 6 pm at Warren Memorial Library.

Set in the near future, this hopeful story of survival and resilience follows Wanda—a luminous child born out of a devastating hurricane—as she navigates a rapidly changing world. The Associated Press describes this book as a "symphony of beauty and heartbreak".

​Multiple copies of the book are available at the Warren Public Library to check out and read in advance. Register here to join us: https://bit.ly/mrvmaybook

​Join our wildflower experts, Jeanne and Sarah, as we walk through the woods to find spring ephemerals - wildflowers like trillium, trout lily, bloodroot, hepatica, and early blue cohosh that appear briefly in early spring. You'll learn about their habitat, their adaptive strategies, how to identify them, and their importance to the larger Vermont ecosystem.

We'll meet up at 10 am at the parking lot of The Sweet Spot in Waitsfield. Register here to join us: https://forms.gle/4z8141ozUiV7vDDy6