Dummerston Conservation Commission
Meeting minutes: January 11, 2013
Members present: John Anderson, Ed Anthes, Mary Ellen Copeland, Lynn Levine, Jane Michaud, Betsy
Whittaker
Guests: John Evans, Barbara Hamilton, Dinah Reed
1. Minutes of the December meeting were accepted as submitted.
2. Windham Regional Commission (WRC). Dinah Reed, of the WRC’s Natural Resources
Committee, spoke about the work of the WRC and of her committee, including past regional
conservation commission conferences they’ve sponsored.
Members of the DCC expressed the importance of WRC support for our work and the need for
periodic meetings of area conservation commissions to share ideas and possibly collaborate on
projects. It was suggested that we schedule such meetings spring and fall, the first one to be held
March 21st in Dummerston, with a potluck 6-7 pm and meeting 7-9 pm. One commission would
present a project in depth (e.g., DCC’s biodiversity inventory), and each commission would give a
ten-minute overview of their activities. Also proposed were additional meetings to include a wider
range of conservation groups, to include local land stewardship organizations.
Dinah reported that the WRC is seeking public input for their update of the Windham County
regional plan, which can be accessed through the WRC website. She was asked to send details to Jane
to publicize through DCC’s email list.
It was requested that the WRC compile contact information for all state conservation commissions, to
be procured from the town clerks, and that the WRC distribution list include all DCC members.
3. Town Meeting. Discussion was held on DCC’s presence at Town Meeting. Betsy will provide a
computer for a Powerpoint projection; Lynn will put together a large map of Dummerston, with
regions outlined, to display on foamcore; Jane will provide copies of the DCC newsletter and a
signup sheet for DCC’s email list; and Mary Ellen will arrange reprinting of pages from the
biodiversity inventory to distribute. Mary Ellen volunteered to speak at the meeting.
4. First Pest Detector program. John Evans offered to submit information on the program and
Dummerston’s involvement to Views of Dummerston. Mary Ellen stated that DCC would cover
travel expenses related to trainings.
5. Ask the Expert. It was suggested that we invite community members with special knowledge of
natural history to a gathering in April to encourage them to post to DCC’s conservation blog. Possible
participants were mentioned. Lynn offered to spearhead this initiative, requesting the assistance of
another member.
6. Trail Committee. John Evans reported that a joint meeting has been planned, tentatively for February,
with the Preservation Trust of VT, VT Land Trust and others.
7. Rain Garden. Poison ivy has reportedly spread north of the rain garden. It was decided to pull the
plants by hand in the spring.
8. Grant-writing workshop. Mary Ellen provided information on workshops to be held at four locations
in VT in January and February; she recommended that one DCC member attend.
9. “Winter Birds.” Chris Petrak’s program of January 8th was considered a resounding success, with 50
people in attendance.
10. Upcoming DCC programs
Richard Little has agreed to present a program on glaciers; Mary Ellen will confirm with him the date
of April 9th and reserve the Grange for that evening.
Barb Hamilton agreed to contact two suggested bat researchers for a possible educational program on
bats for early May.
Barb Hamilton reported on the planned bio-blitz, to be held on a Friday night and Saturday in midJuly at Prospect Hill. John Evans will confirm access to the trail with the landowner. Jane will
confirm access to the Congregational Church as a gathering place. Barb, John Anderson, Jane, and
Betsy will organize this event.
It was suggested that Fred Homer be contacted for a possible fall program on wildlife rehabilitation.
11. Upcoming events
“Portraits in Conservation.” The Nature Conservancy photo show will remain at The Works through
January 31st. A public reception will be held there on Thursday, January 17th, 7-8:30 pm.
Lynn will conduct a tracking workshop in East Dummerston on January 26, 9:30 pm-12n, in
conjunction with the VT Woodlands Association. Space is limited; pre-registration required: 802747-7900 or info@vermontwoodlands.org, by January 25th.
12. Sightings
Porcupines; red-bellied woodpecker; red fox; bluebirds; tracks of gray fox, fisher and deer
13. Next meeting: Thursday, February 14.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Michaud