Nature preserve meeting

WILLIAMSVILLE- The Green Mountain Conservancy will be holding a public information meeting about Phase II of the Deer Run Nature Preserve on Wednesday, December 4, at 7 pm in the Williamsville Hall on Main Street. Refreshments will be served.
The program will describe the efforts to conserve 626 acres of undeveloped forested land in Brookline and Newfane on the east side of the West River. This land is in the West River Watershed, includes two and a half miles of river frontage, 186 acres of deer yards, and is identified by the Vermont Conservation Design as a highest-priority interior forest block for conservation. Ultimately, the GMC aims to conserve over 1,000 contiguous acres in the Deer Run Nature Preserve.
The program includes a presentation by GMC board member Sam Farwell, who will describe the Phase II property and Roger Haydock, another GMC board member, will talk about the geology that formed the land in deep time. Ornithologist Cat Abbot will report on the nearly 70 species of birds that have been inventoried so far, including species that are in decline or endangered in Vermont. Patti Smith, from Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center and a member of the GMC board, will introduce the audience to wildlife found on this land.
Marie Caduto, from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, will discuss the importance of the land to the West River. Additionally, there will be maps, photographs, and time for questions. GMC board member Deborah Lee Luskin will facilitate.
The GMC is a non profit whose mission is to acquire and conserve wilderness lands. More information can be found at www.greenmountainconservancy.org or (802) 257-0012.