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March 20, 2012
Interpreting the Equinox Landscape-Saturday March 31
The lands which comprise the Equinox Preserve have a long history of human impact, dating back to the 1700’s and beyond.
Join Dr. Kerry Woods, ecologist and professor at Bennington College, to discuss research on land-use history and landscape ecology of the Taconic Mountains in the context of an interpretive hike on the Preserve.
Hikers will meet at 9 am on Saturday, March 31st at the Red Gate parking lot on West Union St in Manchester. Please dress appropriately and bring a water bottle and snacks for a two to three hour walk. No dogs, please!
This hike is co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat and the Equinox Preservation Trust.
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February 29, 2012
 Mt Equinox Landslide Due to an unfavorable weather forecast, the geology hike to the landslide on the Equinox Preserve has been re-scheduled for next Saturday, March 10th. Dave De Simone of De Simone Geoscience Investigations will lead the hike to the Upper Spring and the base of the Mt Equinox landslide.
We will meet at the West Union St Red Gate parking lot at 9 am.
This is a strenuous hike; micro-spikes, snowshoes (?) or other traction devices are required! Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle and dress in layers.
This event is FREE and open to the public and is generously co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat. For more information or questions on trail conditions contact Equinox Preserve Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or via e-mail at
rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org
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February 24, 2012
 Mt Equinox landslide “Mt Equinox Landslide Hike: Saturday, March 3rd”
Dave De Simone of De Simone Geoscience Investigations will lead a hike to the Upper Spring and the base of the Mt Equinox landslide to explore the geology of Mt Equinox and the underlying hydrology. De Simone, PhD., is an adjunct professor at RPI and is an expert in geologic mapping for site investigations and interpretation of geologic data.
Join us for this hike on Saturday, March 3rd (meet at the West Union St Red Gate parking lot at 9 am). This is a strenuous hike; micro-spikes or other traction devices are strongly recommended! Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle and dress in layers.
This event is FREE and open to the public and is generously co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat. For more information or questions on trail conditions contact Equinox Preserve Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or via e-mail at rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org
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February 8, 2012
The documentary film, Mother Nature’s Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age, will be shown on Sunday, February 19, at 2:00 pm, at Burr and Burton Academy’s Hunter Seminar Room. Camilla Rockwell, director of the film, will lead a follow up discussion. Rockwell began her career in film with filmmaker, Ken Burns, working on 9 of his PBS programs. Mother Nature’s Child was recently chosen to be screened at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival from February 23-25, 2012.
Co-sponsored by Equinox Preservation Trust and Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, the documentary “explores nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents.” This topic is timely as “the effects of nature deficit disorder are being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders and depression.”
To view a trailer of the film: http://www.mothernaturesmovie.com/the-film/
This program is free and open to the public. For more information contact Equinox Preservation Trust Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org.
For more information about co-sponsor Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, go to www.hildene.org
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January 14, 2012
The public is invited to join songbird expert Dr. Judith Scarl of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Equinox Preservation Trust (EPT) for her presentation of ”Mountain Birdwatch.” Dr. Scarl will discuss the findings of a citizen science research project on high-elevation songbird populations, notably the Bicknell’s Thrush.
 Bicknell's Thrush (courtesy VCE) The research involves yearly surveys of songbird populations in the region, including Mt Equinox. The free program will be held in the Manchester Room at the Equinox Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. Dr. Scarl’s presentation marks the kick-off of EPT’s new winter lecture series and workshops focusing on the natural history of the Taconics and the Equinox Highlands in which the Equinox Preserve is located. Dr. Scarl’s program is sponsored by The Vermont Bird Place and Sky Watch in Manchester Depot, and the Equinox Hotel.
For more information on the Mountain Birdwatch program: http://www.vtecostudies.org/MBW/index.html
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November 22, 2011
On Saturday, November 19th, the Equinox Preservation Trust hosted our annual Fall Trailwork event. As always, our purpose was to rake debris from the waterbars which protect the trails from erosion. Armed with rakes, seven volunteers participated this year as we cleaned waterbars on the Maidenhair Trail, SVAC Loop, and part way up the Blue Summit Trail.
 2011 waterbar work crew Waterbars are structures designed to re-direct water off the trails, thereby reducing soil erosion and making the trails easier to hike, walk, ski and bike. During the fall, waterbars accumulate leaves and sticks which tend to limit water flow off the trails. Once all the leaves have fallen, we head the trails to prepare the waterbars for late autumn rain and the snowmelt of next year.
Posted below are photos of the volunteers, as well as before and after photos of the waterbars. A significant amount of effort goes into making the Equinox Preserve trail system such a wonderful place to visit and we thank all the volunteers who make this possible.
Enjoy your time on the trails
 water bar (before)
 water bar (after raking)
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November 8, 2011
The Equinox Preservation Trust board of directors met last Thursday and, in addition to other business, judged the winners of the 2011 Equinox Preserve Digital Photo contest which started on Memorial Day.
The variety and artistry of the photos submitted was outstanding and the board hopes all the contest participants enjoyed their time on the trails.
Grand Prize winner was Matthew Lerman of Manchester Center, and our first runner-up was Anthony Cirelli, Dean of Students at Burr and Burton Academy.
 emerging fiddleheads (taken by Matthew Lerman)
 girl at Equinox Pond (taken by Anthony Cirelli)
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October 7, 2011
 A series of three new geocaches has been developed and placed on the Preserve by the Equinox Preservation Trust. Each geocache (Mt Equinox “Pest House”, Trout Lily Foundation and the mystery Trillium geocache) is placed at a site of historical significance. Locate the first two geocaches in order to assemble the coordinates to the mystery third geocache.
 Trillium 'mystery' geocache Each geocache is kid-friendly and features a relatively easy walk to locate. Coordinates to other natural features in close proximity are included.
These geocaches are NOT permanent and I will be removing them when snow arrives. The geocaches will be returned to their locations after snow melt.
As always, please tread softly and respect the significance of these sites by leaving no trace of your visit.
To participate and for the coordinates to find these geocaches, go to the Geocaching website at: www.geocaching.com.
Good luck and enjoy your time on the Preserve.
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September 29, 2011
Hunting season is fast approaching and trail users may encounter hunters while on the Preserve. Please be advised that hunting is allowed in the Equinox Preserve on holdings above 1300 ft.
This corresponds to areas above the following landmarks: bridge on Trillium, spring house on Trout Lily and intersection of Red Gate and the Blue Summit trails.
Hunting is allowed with permission in neighboring properties owned by The Nature Conservancy. Contact Emily Siefert, TNC Stewardship Manager, at 802-229-4425 x119.
In an effort to limit the impacts of deer herbivory on rare plants on the Preserve, the 2006 Recreation Management Plan for the Preserve approved by the Equinox Resort and easement holders the Vermont Land Trust and The Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy, allows hunting on holdings above 1300 feet.
Take the following precautions while using the trail system during hunting season:
- Please wear bright colored clothing
- Dogs should wear bright vests and be kept in close proximity to the trails
2011 Vermont Deer Hunting Seasons
- Archery: Oct 1-23 and Dec 3-11
- Youth: Nov 5-6
- Rifle Buck Season: Nov 12-27
- Muzzleloader: Dec 3-11
Other-
- Turkey: Oct 22-Nov 6 (WMU ‘N’)
- Gray Squirrel: Sept 1-Dec 31
- Ruffed Grouse: Sept 24-Oct 31
- Rabbit: Sept 24-March 11, 2012
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August 20, 2011
Cool nights and crisp mornings are a sure sign that fall is fast approaching. The Equinox Preservation Trust and Equinox Resort are sponsoring a series of FREE fall foliage hikes on the Preserve. The dates are as follows:
Saturday, Sept 3 (Labor Day weekend)
Tuesday, Sept 20
Thursday, Sept 22
Saturday, Sept 24
Tuesday, Sept 27
Thursday, Sept 29
Saturday, Oct 1
Tuesday, Oct 4
Thursday, Oct 6
Friday, Oct 7
Saturday, Oct 8
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Saturday Oct 11-15
Tuesday, Oct 18
Thursday, Oct 20
Saturday, Oct 22
 Mt Equinox from Pond Join Rick LaDue, Forest and Trails Steward for the Equinox Preservation Trust, for a guided foliage hike on the 914 acre Equinox Preserve. Hike to Robin’s Lookout followed by a quick visit to the Equinox Pond, with a splendid view of the Valley of Vermont and surrounding mountains.
Along the way we will explore the cultural history of the Preserve lands and the natural history of the rich northern hardwood forests and enjoy the splendid fall foliage.
This hike features a 500 foot elevation gain. (Steady rain will cancel). Dress warmly, in layers, and bring along a drink, camera, questions and your sense of adventure!
Questions? Contact Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org)
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