The Milton, VT Conservation Commission (MCC) will be hosting a BioBlitz this Summer. On Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, you are invited to explore Milton's parks and natural areas and photograph and post as many species of plants, insects, birds, animals, fungi, etc. as possible on iNaturalist.org for points and prizes...but also to add to our natural resources inventory.
Guest Post
Save the dates!
During the BioBlitz weekend, volunteers will lead slow-paced walks around the Milton Town Forest, the Lamoille Riverwalk, and other sites around town to identify whatever species they encounter. Participants may also choose a site of their own to explore and post photos from one week before (July 18) to one week after the BioBlitz weekend (August 2).
On June 23, 2026, at our MCC meeting in the Milton Town Office, Dana Williams from the VT Center for Ecostudies will offer a presentation on iNaturalist and will help people sign into the site and learn how to post their photos. Photos taken during the two-week BioBlitz period, which are posted on our iNaturalist MCC database, will be considered for recognition at our Sunday evening 6 to 9 p.m. (July 26, 2026) potluck dinner and prize gathering.
We will also be looking for slow-paced park-walk leaders and other BioBlitz volunteers. Watch for other announcements on our Milton Town Office / MCC website soon. See Milton Conservation Commission or Contact MCC Member Laurie DiCesare for more information.
Prime target sites (Milton's largest parks):
- Milton Town Forest - Great dragonfly and insect site);
- Lamoille Riverwalk
- Eagle Mtn. Great plant and birding site, and views of Lake Champlain at Hoyt Lookout
- Bombardier Park
Milton BioBlitz 2026: Milton Sites and Habitats
*Bombardier Park: East & West:
[Picnic Pavilions, playgrounds, public toilets.] Sandplain habitat; wetlands; woodland trails, great birding site.
*Eagle Mountain (Lake Champlain Land Trust):
Henry Road trailhead: Woodlands, fields, calcareous rocks, seeps; bladdernut trees; view of the Champlain Islands from Hoyt Overlook. [See also Eagle Mtn. brochure/trail map.]
Arrowhead Mtn. Lake:
Route 7 North: The Milton part is accessed via the boat launch by the Low Bridge in Georgia. Great birding and fishing site; extensive vegetated shoreline with marshes.
*Lamoille Riverwalk
(LRW): Ritchie Ave. & Checkerberry trailheads; [See LRW brochure map.]
Checkerberry Trailhead:
Woodlands (many fern species), sandplains, and riverine habitat. (Hilly terrain.)
Ritchie Ave. Trailhead:
Horsetail floodplain; steep cliff access (rope handrail) to wooded upland trail.
Ritchie Ave. Boat Launch:
Rocky shore / varying water levels: wildflowers (butterflies), water plants; Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), fish, osprey, herons.
*Milton Town Forest:
Main parking lot, Westford Rd. by Westford town line. Main Entry: ADA Trail wildflower fields (butterflies, dragonflies) and woodlands.
Milton Marsh Viewing Platform
(Eagles, wading birds, reptiles, and amphibians).
Carriage Barn:
(Limited parking ~5 cars.) Entry field trail with wildflowers (butterflies!); walking trail up to Milton Pond (dragonflies, water birds, beaver...), wetlands (seeps and streams); dark, forested areas with wide varieties of fungi; rocky outcrops. [See also MTF brochure/trail map.]
NatureHaven:
431 East Road: 1.4 acres with fields, wetland, dragonfly/damselfly pond. 8 species of damselflies; 23 species of fruit and nut trees; wildflowers, birds, fungi.
River Street Park:
Route 7 North (near Milton Dam). Riverine birds, Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies); short, shaded ADA accessible path. [Picnic tables with view of the Lamoille River; historical information.]
Snap Fitness Trail / Bonnie Way:
Route 7 South. ATV trail behind Snap Fitness: Short, forested lowland trail leading to a 30-acre wetland. Many species of plants and fungi, abundant Odonates, amphibians, reptiles, and wading birds.
Bonnie Way Field:
(next to Premier Tire & Auto), ADA accessible sidewalk. Abundant wildflowers (12 species of butterflies; 2 species of moths recorded to date); beetles; spiders, dragonflies (4 species noted; fly-bys from adjacent wetlands).
*Sandbar State Park: Route 2
Sandbar State Park.: Sandy beach environment; some adjacent forest. Osprey and other shorebird species, butterflies, and dragonflies. [Public bathrooms; possible campsites for visitors; entry fee or State of VT Green Mtn. Passport required.] The Causeway is about half in Milton: a fishing site, birds.
Sandbar Waterfowl Area:
Many species of ducks. [Parking challenge, no public walk at this site.]
Lamoille Boat Launch:
On Route 2 near Sandbar SP. Riverine habitat. [Small area.]
Van Everest Boat Launch:
(near Georgia border) [Small area; viewing bench, Port-o-lets]. Rocky Lake Champlain shoreline (wading birds, wildflowers, wetland plants, algae).
No comments:
Post a Comment