Join us for a month of activities to celebrate land conservation and community!
While we can’t meet up in person this summer, there are lots of great ways to enjoy life in the Champlain Islands. Here are 4 weeks of ideas for you and your family to get outside, eat locally, and learn about the world together, no matter what age you are. We designed it for August, but encourage you to start whenever you are ready and adapt it as you like.
Week 3 Activities
August 17: Sit and listen to the birds for 5 minutes
To Dig Deeper: Watch this Stuck in Vermont video from #BlackBirdersWeek with birder Debbie Archer and think more about how we can make sure our Black neighbors and visitors are welcome in outdoor spaces in South Hero. And, you can start to learn bird identification with Audubon.
August 18: Read Speaking of Nature by Robin Kimmerer, botanist, author, and member of the Potowatomi Nation
To Dig Deeper: Watch this TEDxSitka talk by Dr. Kimmerer, and then learn more about the indigenous communities of Vermont. You can get started by reading about the Abenaki with the Vermont Folklife Center, learning about the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation (one of 4 recognized Abenaki tribes in Vermont), and following current efforts by Abenaki in our state to assert their sovereign rights.
August 19: Check out the Guide to Agriculture and visit a local farm stand
To Dig Deeper: Make a meal with as many local ingredients as possible. Looking for inspiration, start this this fritatta recipe from Amanda Gervais of Savage Gardens.
August 20: Read about Pigasus Meets, owners of the conserved Landon Farm
To Dig Deeper: Check our farmers Phelan and Kelsey’s awesome instagram feed!
August 21: Watch the sun set at the beach and build a rock statue
To Dig Deeper: Andy Goldsworthy is an amazing British artist who creates sculptures with rocks and other natural materials. And check out this sunrise/sunset forecast tool. For a real challenge, try to watch the sun rise and set on the same day!
August 22: Hike up Fox Hill at the conserved Crescent Bay Farm
To Dig Deeper: Pick up some Crescent Bay Farm maple syrup at Snow Farm Vineyard, and make pancakes for breakfast (or dinner!)
August 23: Go on a virtual moth hunt with naturalist Chuck Hulse (video to be posted by August 23)
To Dig Deeper: Learn more about moths on Chuck’s blog, and his investigation of moths in his backyard.
Click HERE to see the whole calendar.