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Community Forest Discovery Days 2007
Are you curious about
those funny-looking fungi at your feet? Wondering
which critter left tracks along the trail?
Fascinated by the birds you hear twittering in the trees?
This summer, NEFF hosted its third annual
Community Forest Discovery Days
to invite communities to learn
about what lives in the forest! We hosted educational events in Community
Forests all over New England.
NEFF
Community Forests provide wonderful habitat for all kinds of life: amphibians, wildflowers, mushrooms, mammals, and
of course, trees! This year, we are partnering with local nature experts to
introduce communities to their furry, feathered, slimy and leafy neighbors.
Summer 2007 Discovery Days Events:
Thacher Memorial Forest, Hancock, NH
Birds, Wildlife and Extraordinary White Pines
Our leaders were local wildlife enthusiast and amateur naturalist Bill Elliott,
New England Forestry Foundation, and Susie Spikol, teacher-naturalist from the
Harris Center for Conservation Education. We kept an eye and ear out for local
breeding birds, including pine warblers in the forest's extraordinarily large
white pines, as well as other sights and sounds of natural history interest.
Arnold Family Forest, Freeport, ME
Breeding Birds & Tree Identification Walk
We learned to identify the spring breeding birds in this working forest! Derek
Lovitch, owner of the Yarmouth Wild Bird Center led in identifying our feathered
friends, and a NEFF forestry expert provided tips on how to identify the trees
in this protected forest habitat.
Prouty Woods Community Forest, Littleton, MA
Powerful Plants and the Story of the American Chestnut Tree
Plants have amazing properties! This group got to know some of the wild edible,
medicinal, and even poisonous plants in this Community Forest. NEFF Forest
Steward Art Lazarus and the Littleton Conservation Trust helped us become
familiar with many of the tree species, the uses and dangers of some of the
common plants, and the folklore behind them- all within a short distance of the
shores of Long Lake. We also learned how American Chestnut Foundation volunteers
nationwide are working to restore the American Chestnut Tree.
Hosmer Woods, Orange, MA
Birds and Wildlife in the Forest
With the help of the Athol Bird and Nature Club, this group discovered which
birds are thriving in this working woodland. We walked with new and seasoned
bird watchers and plant enthusiasts to identify the feathered friends, tall
trees and everything else living in this forest.
Isham Memorial Forest, Manchester, VT
A Raptor’s World
Want to see the world through a raptor’s eyes? With the help of the Vermont
Institute of Natural Science, this group learned about these powerful birds of
prey and explored their habitat in the Isham Memorial Forest.
Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest, Manchester, ME
Wildlife in the Woods Walk
This was an exciting change to explore the forest to find what wildlife thrives
in a working woodland. We walked with a local wildlife expert to identify
evidence of the variety of birds, plants, and creatures that live here.
Nelson Memorial Forest, Marshfield, MA
Birds in the Forest
With the help of the Mass Audubon Society’s North River Wildlife Sanctuary, this
group learned to identify which birds thrive in this working, coastal forest.
Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest, Center Harbor, NH
(Ant) Lions and Tiger (Beetles) and Bears Oh MY! The Summer Flora and
Fauna of Chamberlain-Reynolds
We joined Dr. Rick Van de Poll of Ecosystem Management Consultants and the Squam
Lakes Conservation Society for a tour of the fascinating life in
Chamberlain-Reynolds forest. The group discovered 300-year old trees, ancient
blueberry bushes, threatened Canada warbler chicks, loon-'infested' waters, and
fabulous (edible?) fungi!
Mowry Memorial Forest, Elmore & Morristown, VT
Moose Tracks and Beaver Slaps
We wore our wellies for a one mile journey into Vermont woodlands searching for
wildlife who wander through old farm fields and aging forests with New England
Forestry Foundation and Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation District
and Nature Center. Naturalist, Kimberly Jensen, led adventure seekers to a four
tiered beaver pond. Bushwhacking near the pond's edge, we looked and listened
for signs of beaver family life.
NEFF's Annual Geocache Challenge kicked-off on
June 16th, the first Discovery Day!
This year, NEFF
expanded the Geocache program to 20 Community Forests
throughout New
England. Grab a GPS unit and give it a try!
Our Sponsors
Forest Level
 
Canopy Level
 
Mid-Story Level
 
Additional Event Sponsors
Moison Ace Hardware, Groton
MA
Draper Properties Inc.,
Canton MA
Air and Water Quality, Inc.,
Freeport ME
NEFF
Geocache Challenge 2007
Community
Forest Discovery Day 2006
Community Forest Discovery Day 2005
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Board of Directors
