The Hidden Conservation Value of Powerline Corridors
While today’s ROW are not natural, they nonetheless partially fulfill the role of early successional habitats for pollinators and shrub-nesting birds. Here’s how to manage them to maximize their biodiversity.
A Screech and a Lifer at the Green Mountain Goatsuckers Birdathon
On a hot day, VCE’s lead Birdathon team chased bird sightings around Lake Champlain’s Vermont shores.
Explore All of Vermont’s Natural Nooks with the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas
Pick a natural area you’ve always wanted to explore, or find a place right nearby. Either way, while hunting for butterflies, you’ll find some incredible green corners you never would have seen otherwise.
Know Your 5: Wild Pollinators for Stone Fruit Crops
Most stone fruit species bloom in early spring, when northeast weather conditions are often cool and unpredictable, so are likely more dependent on wild pollinators that are more tolerant of lower temperatures and windy conditions than Western Honey Bees.
Know Your 5: Wild Bees That Pollinate Blueberries
Both Northern Highbush and Lowbush Blueberries are widespread in the northeast and an important food for many wild bees. Bushes that have limited or no pollen transfer by bees will be small, ripening will be delayed, early fruit drop may result, and most berries would not meet market standard quality.
Know Your 5: Wild Bees That Pollinate Strawberries
By identifying and understanding the natural history of these bees, you can provide the specific habitat that will help to ensure resilient and abundant pollination services and the tasty treats that result.
LoonWeb Is Ready for Your Lake Adventures
We’ve been excited to hear from volunteers on how much fun they’ve had testing out LoonWeb’s survey function. Now it’s your turn to try it out!
Field Guide to May 2026
May is filled with winged delights. Bobolinks will begin to grace Vermont’s larger hayfields, busy ground-nesting bees can be found in the bare sunny spots of our yards, and early spring butterflies are getting first dibs on the earliest spring flowers. It’s a great time to get outside and explore.
Does No Mow May Invite Invasives and Ticks to Your Yard?
The term “No Mow May” seems to imply that helping our pollinators is as simple as that: not mowing. But there are drawbacks.
New Mission for Bumble Bee Watchers in the Northeast!
Although they are noted to be in steep decline, many volunteers have observed that these vulnerable bee species often visit plants in backyards and gardens. You can help scientists find and study them!
This Earth Day, Celebrate Everything Vermont Is Doing Right
The first Earth Day was as much a call to action as it was a celebration. The 1962 book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson had drawn attention to the pesticides…
Not Just Bees: How to Support All Types of Pollinators in Your Garden
When you think of pollinators, what is the first thing you think of? What would you say if I told you that flies and beetles were also pollinators? How about wasps? Here’s how to help conserve even the least appreciated ones in your backyard.
