What's Out Here? Series
Come learn about local fish, birds, plants, insects and more while exploring Franklin County!
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Throughout spring, summer, and fall 2023, several groups across eastern Franklin County are collaborating to host events to inspire communities to get outside, explore with others, and learn more about the natural resources around them. The more we know about what's out here, the more we can do to protect and restore!
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The What's Out Here? Series is a collaboration between the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District (FCNRCD), Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) (facebook), Upper Missisquoi and Trout River (UMATR) Wild and Scenic Committee (facebook), Enosburgh Conservation Commission (facebook), Richford Conservation Commission (facebook), Bakersfield Conservation Commission (facebook), and Montgomery Conservation Commission (facebook).
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Hope to see YOU "out here" this year!
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Saturday, May 13th
Missisquoi River Fishing Festival
387 St. Albans Street, Enosburg Falls, VT
Missisquoi River Access
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Parking at 44 Center Street, Enosburg Falls
This event is designed for families and people of all ages to celebrate fishing in Franklin County. With a number of stations, activities, fishing, and opportunities to learn, the Fishing Festival hopes to encourage more people to connect with the rivers, fish, and wildlife travelling through our communities.
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Saturday, May 20th
Richford Nature Rally
1 Elementary School Road, Richford, VT
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Come explore the nature trail at Richford Elementary School while learning about the different trees, wildflowers, insects, mammals, and other critters who live in the area. Local expert naturalists will be on hand from 9am to noon to help everyone scout for and identify as many species as possible on the school campus.
People of all ages are welcome to join in the fun and learn What’s Out Here! RSVP for the Nature Rally by emailing info@franklincountynrcd.org.
The Bird Diva, Bridget Butler, will also be hosting a Slow Birding Workshop in the same location from 8-10am. Space in the Slow Birding session is limited, RSVP by emailing richfordconservation@gmail.com.
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Saturday, June 10th
Montgomery Bioblitz
Montgomery Town Forest
4.2 miles up West Hill Road from Route 118, Montgomery, VT
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Rain date: Sunday, June 11th
The Montgomery Conservation Commission and Franklin County NRCD are hosting a public event to connect community members to the Montgomery Town Forest. Guests of all ages are encouraged to come discover and document the forest landscape's trees, fungi, insects, and animals. Come walk, observe, and help us learn about everything the Montgomery Town Forest has to offer. The walk will be approximately 1 to 1.5 miles in length. Walking shoes/hiking
boots should be worn. Children are welcome and encouraged to join."
Please join the Montgomery Bioblitz iNaturalist Project here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/montgomery-bioblitz
To RSVP, please email info@franklincountynrcd.org
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Saturday, July 15th
Paddle and Pedal with the NFCT
Davis Park in Richford, VT
8:00 am to 1-2 pm
July 15th is the Paddle and Pedal with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and UMATR. It will start in Richford at Davis Park, to East Berkshire via paddling, and pedalling the rail trail back to Richford. Usually starts ~8 am lasting until around 1-2 pm. People can register on the NFCT website (and purchase tickets). They haven't posted tickets yet - but will on their website (https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/get-involved/events-activities/missisquoi-paddle-pedal/)
Saturday August 24th
Missisquoi River Paddle
413 Missisquoi Street, Enosburg, VT
6:00 pm
Explore the Missisquoi River with the Enosburgh Conservation Commission. Sunset Paddle on the Missisquoi River August 24, at 6:00 pm. We will depart from the Brownway Access point on Missisquoi Street located across from the cemetery at 413 Missisquoi Street Enosburg. Free Kayak and Canoe Rentals are available on a first come first serve basis the day of the event at The Flying Disc 342 Main St, Enosburg Falls
Wednesday, August 30th
Bakersfield Dam Removal Restoration Walk
2159 Witchcat Road, Bakersfield, VT
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Johnsons Mill Dam was removed from the Bogue Branch in August 2021. Since then, the river has been seeking a new path and working to restore itself. This event is open to all and will explore some of the changes in the river that we are tracking through a multi-year monitoring project to better understand the impacts of dam removals in the Lake Champlain Basin.
Saturday, October 14th
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Clips & Reels at Jay Peak Resort
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
The 2023 Wild and Scenic Film Festival hosted by UMATR is on October 14th, from 5:30 pm - 9 pm, at Clips & Reels at Jay Peak Resort. Tickets are on sale now!
https://www.umatrwildandscenic.org/wildandscenicfilmfestival