Season 2, Episode 1 of our Podcast: Exploring the impacts of Farm & Wilderness Conservation.
In the serene landscapes of Vermont, where the green of the forests meets the clarity of the waters, lies a successful example of conservation and sustainability. Farm & Wilderness wouldn’t be the same without the land it sits on. The camps at Woodward have been shaped by the steepness of the ridge on one side, the beauty of the Reserve, and the narrow land between the two the camps sit on. The camps at Ninevah have been shaped by the quiet serenity of Lake Ninevah, the marshy grounds they sit on, and the relative flatness of those spaces. Campers wake up in our three-walled cabins feeling the Vermont air. They walk over small streams on bridges built by campers. They see turkeys, salamanders, fish, birds, and chipmunks. They’re dwarfed by the large trees all around them, sheltered by their expansive canopies. Take F&W off that land, and it simply isn’t the same. That place is intentionally cared for by our campers and staff as a part of our focus on conservation and sustainability.
This episode of our podcast features Kelly Beerman, former Conservation Director of Farm & Wilderness. Kelly talks about their comprehensive approach to conservation through sustainable forest management, watershed health, and community engagement. Through a blend of monitoring, education, and collaborative projects, F&W works to protect natural resources while educating future generations on the importance of conservation and sustainability.
Sustainable Forest Management: A Legacy of Care
Beerman puts it succinctly, "Conservation has really been a part of Farm and Wilderness and the camps since its inception in 1939." Forest management is not just about preservation but about understanding and working with the natural cycles of the land. F&W meticulously monitors wildlife populations and climate change effects, guided by the ethos that 'sometimes the best action is inaction. This approach is about learning from the land, ensuring that forests remain vibrant ecosystems that support biodiversity and recreation.
F&W doesn't work in isolation. By inviting experts such as ecologists, biologists, and hydrologists to study the forest, we enrich their understanding and strategies for forest management. A ten-year management plan underpins our efforts, ensuring that actions are deliberate and aimed at long-term sustainability. Part of this plan is our responsibly timber harvesting practices emphasizing minimal impact. "We don't clear-cut," Beerman states. Instead F&W selectively removes trees, which promoting a diverse canopy structure beneficial to wildlife and aids in the forest's journey back to old-growth characteristics. This approach not only maintains ecological balance but also respects the history of Vermont's forests, many of which were heavily logged in the past.
Watershed Health: The Lifeline of the Land
"Watershed health and water quality protection," as Kelly describes, is another part of the F&W conservation strategy. There is an intrinsic link between the forests that cover the landscape and the water bodies that thread through it. As Beerman notes, "We need healthy forests because it contributes to healthy water and we want people to enjoy both of those things through recreation, through education, or our camps." Its important to make watershed health a tangible concept for campers and the community. Through activities like canoe trips, shoreline discussions, and explorations of aquatic plants, F&W integrates the concept of watershed stewardship into its camps. This hands-on approach not only educates but also instills a sense of responsibility and connection to the land and water.
Community Engagement: Fostering Environmental Stewardship
Community engagement is essential. F&W is part of the broader Vermont community and has a responsibility to be good neighbors. Beerman and her team have created spaces for collaboration and education. "It's really powerful for people, especially children, to think about [sustainability] in the face of climate change and how all of this is connected," Kelly remarks. There are so many events you can check out on their website and Instagram. Below are just a few of their upcoming events:
A huge component of this has been their afterschool program in a few local schools. From the Farm and Wilderness Conservation website:
“In the off season when Farm & Wilderness Camps are not in session, FWC partners with our F&W Farm Team to provide farm and nature-based after school programming to 8 local elementary schools within the Mill River and Two Rivers School Districts. After school students from kindergarten to 6th grade learn about the intersections between farming and conservation and the ways we can all connect with the natural world. Each month, we provide a variety of physical and hands-on activities to around 150 students in total. Visits last between 1 and 1.5 hours. Programming themes alternate each month between an environmental education focus and a farm-based focus. “
The Future of Conservation
Reflecting on the larger impact of F&W and FWC, Beerman, "Our responsibility as a large landowner in the state is to think, how do we do more than we can in addition to all of our camp programming." This reflects the ethos of Farm and Wilderness Conservation: a commitment to doing more, learning more, and engaging more for the sake of our planet. As we continue our work in sustainable forest management, watershed health, and community engagement, we not only protect the natural beauty of Vermont but also inspire others to be part of the solution in the face of climate change.
Be sure to come to an event, check out the Farm & Wilderness Conservation website and Instagram to learn more, and definitely check out the episode below, subscribe to our podcast, or listen to the teaser!