April 16, 2026
Present: Libby Case; Chad Wohlers; Jack Travelstead; Natalya Zahn; Sara Hedrick; Michael Gray
Agenda Items – Approval of 03.19.2026 mee�ngs minutes; Green Up Day; Mother’s Day Bird Walk; Speakers;
Nichols Ledge Communica�ons; Peregrines; Buck Lake/Green Mountain Conserva�on Camp
Scholarships; Town Forest Trail Maintenance
Approval of 03.19.2026 WCC Mee�ng Minutes – Minutes are approved.
Green Up Day – Green Up Day will be held on Saturday, May 2nd. Paul is working on Green Up Day details.
Michael and Pa� Garbeck have offered to help Paul.
Mothers’ Day Bird Walk – The Mothers’ Day Bird Walk will occur on Sunday, May 10
th
. Paul will be leading the
bird walk; Merlin will assist. The bird walk will be held on the town wetland/forest property by the school.
WCC Sponsored Speaker Series – The WCC discusses possible speakers for presenta�ons in the fall/winter of
2026/2027. Natalya suggests Ethan Tapper, former county forester, who has published a book en�tled “How to
Love a Forest: The Bitersweet Work of Tending a Changing World.” The possibility of having Emily Sayers as a
co-presenter to talk about the town forest is men�oned. Natalya will contact Ethan Tapper. Larry Decker had
offered to lead a field trip along County Road to look at the geology record easily seen along the road. Libby will
contact Larry to see if he is s�ll interested in leading that field trip in autumn’s “s�ck season.”
Buck Lake Green Mountain Conserva�on Camp Scholarships: Michael shares that he discussed the scholarships
with Robin Durkee. His discussion with Robin le� him with ques�ons. Michael would like to check in with Seville
Murphy, NEWT, F&W and Robin to have a beter sense of how t he scholarship process would work best.
Nichols Ledge – Michael shares some of the ongoing communica�ons he has had with the owner of Nichols
Ledge. All communica�ons were posi�ve, though the ledge owner had worries over Act 181 and a non-profit
seed saving organiza�on that contacted him interested in finding and collec�ng seeds from two rare plants listed
for Nichols Ledge. Michael has included the land owner in the peregrine updates.
Peregrine Update – The peregrines do appear to have chosen a new site. Weekly spot checks have found the
peregrines at the new site. No incuba�ng appears to have begun.
Town Forest Trail Maintenance – Jack and Chad will be doing clean up maintenance on the town forest trail on
May 4
th
.