Innovative Riparian Buffer Workshop – Fitzgerald Farm and ICN/RLNSP

Join staff from the Intervale Center’s Conservation Nursery and Riparian Lands Native Seed Partnership, as well as Franklin County NRCD, US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Agency of Agriculture (CREP program), and more to explore a 2025 direct seeding site: Fitzgerald Farm/Intervale Wildlife Management Area in Colchester. This site is experiencing growth from a number of species, though primarily silver maple and cottonwood; we will discuss site conditions, seeding methodology, and more! Then, around noon, we will transition to the Intervale Conservation Nursery Pack Shed to learn more about the seed collecting processes, as well as a tour of the nursery fields. Brooke Fleischman and Ben Rodgers will lead this event with support from others involved in the trials and efforts. This event is the third in a series of three events in 2025 and 2026 designed to demonstrate and show our community of practitioners a variety of sites, styles, and outcomes associated with planting plans, preparation, and maintenance.  

Please be prepared for mosquitos and to walk on uneven terrain through thick, tall vegetation throughout the tour. Please bring your own lunch, water, sunscreen, bug spray, closed-toed shoes, and whatever else you will need to have a successful day.  

Funding provided by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation and the Lake Champlain Basin Program. 

Where:

• Meet at the first location at 10 am: Fitzgerald Farm at Shipmans Lane, Colchester, VT: 44.512276, -73.218427 (see map below – park at the top right red arrow with the place marker).  

• Around noon, we will head to the second location: Intervale Conservation Nursery Pack Shed: 44.496928085685155, -73.20609426862569 (additional parking available here: 44.49475276364059, -73.20616603081666) (see red boxes in map below).  

Event Notes:

• If the heat index is forecasted above 90°F, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 150, or thunderstorms/lightning are expected, the event may be cancelled or postponed. A decision will be made by 10am the day prior to the event, or by 8am on the morning of the event if conditions develop unexpectedly.

• FCNRCD is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact Lauren Weston at info@franklincountynrcd.org or 802-582-3133 at least 5 days prior to the event. There will be bathrooms to use once we arrive at the Intervale Conservation Nursery, but not at the first site.