The schoolwide Reverence of Place
Project at Fayston Elementary is getting students out of the classroom and into
the Chase Brook Town Forest with members of the FNRC. When the recent warm
rains encouraged amphibian friends to start their spring migration to breeding
pools, participants in the Amphibian Monitoring Project were out collecting
data and helping with crossings.
“The Reverence of Place Project is another way we are bringing the resources of
the town forest to the community. Generously funded by the Mad River
Recreation District and Fayston School PTO, this whole-school initiative is
helping Fayston Elementary students discover our special place in many
ways. They are exploring their landscape, answering questions like What do
trees give us?, building fairy houses and learning the story of what makes
Fayston a unique place to live. This spring, students will give back to the
community by building an outdoor learning experience near the parking lot of
the Chase Brook Town Forest, sharing their learning with Valley residents and
visitors alike,” explained Cory Stephenson, a member of the Fayston Natural
Resources Committee.
“The Amphibian Monitoring Project was in full swing in Fayston, with two ‘hot spots’
being monitored by volunteers on warm rainy nights in the past few weeks. Over
80 spotted salamanders and over 100 wood frogs were counted at our newest site
on Tucker Hill Road, with a high number of crossings along Bragg Hill Road the
night before. Not only will the data collected be used to direct conservation
efforts, but many more amphibians made it safely to their breeding pools thanks
to the work of our volunteers. Although the big migrations may be over, we are
always looking for volunteers willing to go out at night and get wet. Please
contact Patti Greene-Swift at 496-6816 if you are interested in participating,”
she added.
In addition to the Reverence of Place Project the Fayston Natural Resources
Committee (FNRC) has been working on several projects to enhance the landscape
and encourage community members to get out and enjoy the town’s natural
resources. Most notably, members completed the first phase of the
McCullough Barn Project and are actively seeking funds and volunteer efforts to
raise the barn again.
Neat piles of wood and river rock are all that currently remain of the historic McCullough Barn on German Flats Road. With the help of volunteers and the services of Alces Post and Beam, the Mad River Garden Center, Fred Viens Excavation and Sugarbush Resort, the timber frame and other salvagable pieces of the town-owned barn were deconstructed last year and stored for rebuilding this summer. GMVS students will be spending a community service day this spring to prepare the site and clean the salvaged timbers.
“Thanks to a generous grant by the
Mad River Valley Rotary and private donations, we have raised nearly $3,500
towards the $14,000 needed to raise the McCullough Barn again. We are still
seeking donations and volunteers to complete the restoration and make it into
valuable community space. Please contact FNRC chair Ky Koitzsch at 496-5784 if
you would like to help,” Stephenson said.
The FNRC is looking for new members. The group acts as an advisory board for
the select board and meets monthly to work on a variety of projects like the
ones listed above. Fayston residents who would like to participate can contact
the group’s chair, Ky Koitzsch, at 496-5784.
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