Trails
TRAIL ISSUES IN THE
GREEN
MOUNTAIN
NATIONAL FOREST AND
SURROUNDING AREAS
Thanks to everyone who participated in the February 11th discussion about
trail use on public lands within and surrounding the Green Mountain
National Forest. Attached are meeting notes summarizing the discussion.
Please let me know if you have additions or edits to the notes.
CLICK HERE FOR MEETING NOTES
The Green Mountain National Forest and Vermont Department of Forests,
Parks and Recreation are working together to plan next steps based on the
February 11th discussion. I'll be in touch soon with details. In the
meantime, don't hesitate to get in touch with suggestions for moving
forward and working collaboratively.
Thanks,
Lisa
**********************************************
Lisa Chase, Ph.D.
Director, Vermont Tourism Data Center
Natural Resources Specialist
University of Vermont Extension
11 University Way #4
Brattleboro, VT 05301-3669
802-257-7967 Phone
802-257-0112 Fax
lisa.chase@uvm.edu
www.uvm.edu/extension
www.uvm.edu/tourismresearch
The Vermont Horse Council is pleased to offer
grant opportunities to Vermont organizations that use, promote, and
maintain equine trails within the state. The program will assist equine
trail organizations the opportunity to maintain and repair trails with
matching grants from the Vermont Horse Council. All Vermont
organizations involved in equine trail. This is a matching grant program
with a maximum award amount of $500.00. To learn more and fill out an
application: Click on trail grant and
trail grant report files.
Groton State Forest Trails
One of Vermont’s hidden jewels
for the equestrian; Groton State Forest is a 25,000 acre forest which
permits horseback riding on several multi use trails. Most of the trail
systems consist of the Wells River railroad bed, but with the help of
several volunteers and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and
Recreation work has been underway to complete some trail loops for non
motorized vehicles, hikers and horseback riders.
The objectives for the
2009 season included:
- Install multi use signage on the Telephone Trail
Loop and the Blake Hill Rd/Peacham Pond Loop. The Telephone
Trail signage was installed (see above picture for the first of
several work groups). Unfortunately, the loop aspect of the trail was
not realized due to safety issues associated with the trail loop
entering Little Deer Campground. A solution is being formulated and
hopefully this will be in place for the 2010 riding season. Only
planning work was done on the Blake Hill Rd/Peacham Pond Loop.
- Improve trail markings on the New Discovery to
Seyon Ranch out and back trail. Currently the trail is marked
with yellow blazes that are confusing at times. Especially the turns
from the Rail Trail Connector trail, right onto Marshfield Brook Rd to
Lanesboro and then left onto the trail that connects to the Railroad
Bed. Work will continue on these areas in 2010.
- Assess signage needs for the Peacham Bog Loop
Trail to Martin’s Pond Rd. On hold until trail multi use trail
is constructed.
- Gather input on corrals and determine next steps
for improvement at New Discovery. Completed input collection.
No next steps were determined.
- Investigate fund raising opportunities for
Groton multi use trail system. In process.
- Organize trail work day(s) during May 1st
through May 20th. Completed – Thanks to everyone who
helped in 2009.
GROTON TRAIL BLITZ
Week of May 3 – 8, 2010
Grab a partner and
help us blitz the trails so that the summer crews can get right to work
improving the trails instead of assessing needs. The objective is to
divide all of the trails in Groton State Forest among a group of
volunteers. Volunteers will devote 4-6 hours of time to their assigned
trail.
Those volunteers will:
1.
Hike/Ride the assigned trail.
2.
Refresh trail markings as needed
3.
Clear out water bars if needed
4.
Note any damage/downed trees on the
trail
5.
Remove small debris as needed on the
trail
Please consider giving
your time to this worthwhile cause. Call 802-485-3087 or email
jkcole@trans-video.net to sign up to help.
Ride & Drive Program
The Vermont Horse Council riding and driving program began in April of
1992 with Pat Johnson. The program was developed to recognize personal
achievement and not competitive achievement. Actual riding and driving
times are logged for each participating unit, which consists of one person
and one particular horse. You may join with several horses but each one
must be registered separately. You will receive a patch when you join and
as you reach 50,100,150, 200,350,500,750,1000 and 2000 hours you will
receive a matching hour bar. Special awards are given at 500,1000, 1500
and 2000 hours.
Large Animal Technical
Rescue
LATR
Provides New Resources for Fire Departments in Large Animal Emergencies
by Cindy Cross-Greenia, President, The Vermont Horse Council
LATR stands for Large Animal Technical Rescue. There are many incidences
in which large animals may need rescue such as a horse that has become
mired or stuck in mud, a down or injured animal in hazardous terrain, an
animal who has fallen through ice and is stuck in freezing cold water or
one who has fallen into a well. These are all situations that have
occurred in Vermont and fire departments have received the call.
Cindy Cross-Greenia and The Vermont Horse Council developed the Large
Animal Technical Rescue Project to provide equipment and training to first
responders around Vermont. This equipment and training allows for large
animal emergencies to be handled in a manner that eliminates further
injury to the animal and responder by ensuring that proper tools and
techniques are utilized.
A local LATR team is formed after department members have completed
training and expressed interest in becoming a team for their area. Each
team is provided specialized equipment by the Vermont Horse Council
including a rescue glide, rescue straps, rescue hook, hobbles, blinding
mask, halters, lead ropes, padding, ratchet straps and anything else
needed to secure an animal to the rescue glide. In addition Colchester
Technical Rescue is equipped with all above mentioned equipment as well as
a Becker Sling, the sling is to be used to perform vertical lifts using a
tripod system or appropriate heavy machinery. Colchester Tech will respond
statewide with the sling when needed.
At this time the teams are as follows:
- Grafton Fire Department – Covering Windham County and Southern
Windsor County including the towns of Springfield, Chester and Andover
- South Woodstock Fire Department – Covering
Orange County and Northern Windsor County North of the towns of
Springfield, Chester and Andover
- Orwell Fire Department – covering Addison
County and Northern Rutland County
- Colchester Technical Rescue – covering all
remaining areas of the state at this time.
Trainings and equipment placement will continue with available funding and
grants with a goal of having
a team covering every area of the state with responsibility for two to
three counties.
LATR trainings were held in August of 2007 and September of 2008 the next
training is planned for May
of 2009 in the Rutland area and once again all department chiefs will be
notified or check the events
calendar at www.vthorsecouncil.org for training information.
For more information on training, equipment, or LATR teams please contact:
Cindy Cross-Greenia,
President Vermont Horse Council PO Box 392, Underhill, VT 05489
802/899-323928 or
crossgreenia@gmail.com
