Nestled among the folds of the Green Mountains in meadows and blueberry barrens, butterflies glide from flower to flower. Songbirds sing from perches. Dragonflies hunt and bees busily collect pollen and nectar to stock their hives. The entire web of life plays out before our eyes.
Shadow Darner © Nathaniel Sharp
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies invites you to join us at the idyllic Blueberry Hill Inn, in the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest, to witness the rich tapestry of summer life from July 31–August 2, 2022. During this naturalists’ adventure we’ll discover a bounty of incredible natural history.
Kent McFarland—VCE founding biologist and leader of the Vermont Atlas of Life project—will be your guide, along with VCE naturalist and crackerjack birder, Nathaniel Sharp. You’ll learn how to swing a bug net, identify dragonflies, and discover an astonishing diversity of native bees and butterflies in wild and cultivated habitats alike. You will encounter these and a host of other winged wonders as you explore the Inn’s gardens and blueberry fields, and the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest.
Our days will feature the slow pace that allows for noticing and observing. Those interested in stretching their legs may opt for a hike to an old-growth forest. Avid photographers in the group will have an opportunity to focus on that pastime and pick up some tips on insect photography from Kent and Nathaniel. Evenings will feature story-telling and lively conversation, with Kent and Nathaniel sharing some natural history topics over dessert in the dining room. You can make the trip your own; there will be time to relax by the Inn’s pond, or take a dip if you’re so inclined! Savor the serenity of the Green Mountains and the captivating, colorful life all around you.
Our lodging, Blueberry Hill Inn, offers rooms with private baths, original artwork, cozy furnishings, and gorgeous grounds. We’ll start each day with a bountiful Vermont breakfast, fuel our outings with hearty lunches, and end with delicious, creative dinners crafted with local farm-to-table ingredients.
Our three-day, two-night weekend starts at Blueberry Hill Inn at 11am on Sunday, July 31. We’ll gather for a picnic lunch, then head out on our first quest. We’ll return to the inn by mid-afternoon to settle into our rooms and relax before dinner. On Saturday we’ll spend the whole day outing and abouting, visiting various locations in search of specific species. We’ll venture out once more after breakfast on Tuesday, August 2, and bid each other a fond farewell after lunch (but you won’t want to leave).
Fees
Double Occupancy – $700 per person
Single Occupancy – $875 per person
What’s Included
Your fee includes all meals (two breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners), lodging, a cocktail gathering (BYOB), expert naturalist instruction, spectacular scenery, evening lectures, and all gratuities.
Optional Extension
New this year is an optional one-day extension to join Nathaniel Sharp for 24 hours of birding the Green Mountains and adjacent Addison County. Make the most of your travels to this part of the state, which offers an incredible diversity of habitats (and elevations from mountain top to lake shore) within a day’s drive. More details will be provided once we know how many in the group are interested in this trip extension.
COVID-19 Policy
All attendees must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted. In addition, on the first day of the trip, all attendees must show proof of negative results of a rapid antigen test taken one day prior to arrival. With these precautions in place, we look forward to a safe and mask-optional gathering.
Registration
Space in this outing is limited to 14. To reserve your spot now, please fill out the registration form. For questions about the inn and other logistics, send an email to Susan Hindinger or call her at 802-649-1431 x 203.
Your Naturalist Weekend Guides
Kent McFarland
Conservation Biologist
