Upper Valley Earth Month Events--April 2009

This event celebrates the region's innovative organizations and businesses transitioning toward a sustainable future. You’re encouraged to cycle to the event, enjoy free snacks and hear from local leaders. The tour’s team, including Jim Merkel author of Radical Simplicity, will speak about their journey and why the “Transition Town” movement can supply a radical stimulus package. This tour-de-force covers 350 people-powered-miles through Montpelier, the North East Kingdom, Burlington and the Adirondacks arriving for the North Country Sustainable Energy Fair in Canton, NY. They travel 350 miles urging humanity to lower carbon emissions to the safe upper limit of 350 parts-per-million. In 12 towns along the way, members offer presentations about Transition Towns, Locavores, simple living, Your Money or Your Life and more, and they’ll pass on news about the exciting sustainability efforts in your region. For a listing of events go to: www.cyclingforasustainablefuture.blogspot.com

Real World Sustainability
Saturday, April 11th, 10 - 11:30am
The Mountain School--Dining Hall, Vershire, VT

The Cycling for a Sustainable Future Tour offers their Real-World Sustainability program. A lunchtime conversation will follow. Bring a bag lunch or a donation for food. Pump up those bike tires, cycle to the event and join the team on their way out of town toward Montpelier after lunch. This tour-de-force covers 350 people-powered-miles through Montpelier, the North East Kingdom, Burlington and the Adirondacks arriving for the North Country Sustainable Energy Fair in Canton, NY. (802) 439-5324. For a listing of events go to: www.cyclingforasustainablefuture.blogspot.com

Training for New Stewardship Volunteers
Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am - 2:30pm
UVLT's office, 19 Buck Road, Hanover, NH

Do you like hiking off trail? Do you enjoy visiting beautiful places? Join the Upper Valley Land Trust’s team of volunteer easement stewards to monitor conserved properties all over the Upper Valley. Stewardship volunteering involves meeting landowners of conserved land, hiking off-trail to find property boundaries with a map and compass, and recording what you see as you become our eyes and ears on permanently protected land. This training includes an indoor session with general easement information and instruction on using a map and compass; then we will venture outside for hands-on field practice. For more information, or to register, please contact UVLT at (603) 643-6626 or email Monica.Erhart@uvlt.org.

Vernal Pool Walk at the Hartford Town Forest, hosted by the Hartford Conservation Commission
Saturday, April 18th, 10am - 12pm

Please wear boots – we will be walking 20 minutes to reach the vernal pool. Directions: From White River Junction, take Route 4 West (proceed 2.7 miles), take slight left onto Center of Town Road (proceed 0.8 mile), turn left on Kings Highway (proceed 0.7 mile), turn right on Reservoir Rd. (proceed 1.1 miles) to parking area. For more information, please call Matt Osborn at the Hartford Planning and Development Office (802) 295-3075 during business hours.

8th Annual Flavors of the Valley: An Expo for Locally Grown Food in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, hosted by Valley Food and Farm
Tuesday, April 21st, 2 - 7pm
Hartford High School, White River Junction, VT

Come visit UVLT's table at the annual Upper Valley locally grown food expo, Flavors of the Valley. Local farmers, businesses, and restaurants that sell local products, offer free tastings, information and buying opportunities for the community. Kick off the growing season with delicious fresh vegetables, conversation, and a wonderful community atmosphere. Farmers meet new customers and consumers find the things they need locally, supporting our local economy and community. Entrance is $7 for adults, max $25 per family; free for children under 6. For more information visit: www.vitalcommunities.org

Earth Day Extravaganza: Be Water Wise!
Saturday, April 25th, 11am - 4pm
VINS Nature Center, Quechee, VT

Join VINS and Tip Top Pottery on April 25th in an Earth Day Extravaganza connecting art and nature. Visit UVLT's table as you examine the ways that we can be wise about our use of water, and learn more about the plants and animals that rely on water and wetlands as their habitat. Illustrate the theme "Be Water Wise" on a ceramic tile to be permanently placed at the VINS Nature Center. With trails to the marsh, the Ottauquechee River, a vernal pool, and live animals in our Wetlands program, there's plenty to spark your imagination! For more information visit: www.vinsweb.org

Natural Areas: What Are They, Why Do They Matter, and How Do They Touch Down in the Upper Valley Region?
Tuesday, April 28th, 7 - 8:30pm
Howe Library, 13 East South Street, Hanover, NH

Mark Zankel, The Nature Conservancy's New Hampshire Chapter's Deputy State Director, will speak about the unique and valuable role of "natural areas" in New Hampshire's network of conservation lands, along with the status of natural areas in the Upper Valley region, and will preview an exciting new conservation project to protect a large Upper Valley landscape for nature and people. This event is co-hosted by the Upper Valley Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. This program is free and open to the public.

Green-Up Day
Saturday, May 2nd, 9am - 12pm
Various Locations Around the Region

For more information about Green-Up Day visit www.greenupvermont.org, or contact your Town Office.

Ongoing

Be sure to visit your local public library this month to view Earth Day displays and to check out books on environmental issues.

Find out more at www.uvlt.org. Call us at (603) 643-6626 or email noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org for more information.