Town of
Strafford,Vermont
Conservation Commission
Members:
James Erbaugh, Chair
Kate Bass, Vice Chair
Micki Colbeck, Recording Sec
Mike Hebb, Trails Commissioner
J. T. Horn
Chuck Sherman
Steve Faccio
David Paganelli
Gregory McHugo
The group can be contacted at
Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Morrill Homestead Education Center.
Mission:
To identify and conserve Strafford’s natural resources, to educate the community about our natural heritage, and to foster local environmental stewardship.
Current Projects: To alert the community to the ecological threats posed by invasive species in general and more immediately by the Emerald ash borer, an invasive insect recently discovered in Orange County which attacks and kills all species of ash tree. To continue efforts to map and classify all the wetlands in Strafford and create an inventory of plant species found in each. To develop a walking trail through the valley between the villages. To correlate the SCC’s Open Space Plan with the new Town Plan.
Natural Areas:
Conservation Commission Meeting
The Conservation Commission's next meeting is Tuesday, May 24 2022, 7 p.m., at the Morrill Education Center.
Strafford Conservation Commission is sponsoring a series of entertaining and educational outdoor events this summer. They are free and open to the public. No dogs please on any of these events.
Event Calendar 2022:
6/25 10am Orchid walk in Cobb Forest on Fen trail. More showy lady slippers than you have seen anywhere with Mike Hebb. Meet at Cobb Forest parking area 1.8 miles up Hemenway road off Taylor Valley Road.
7/9 9am to 12 Cobb Forest On the trail presentation on the historic management of the Cobb Forest with our county forester Dave Paganelli. Meet at Cobb Forest parking area 1.8 miles up Hemenway road off Taylor Valley Road.
9/4 10 am to noon JMH Fern walk, Sunday, September 4th
Beginning at the Morrill Homestead with fern extraordinaire, Micki Colbeck, we head up the Morrill Link trail to the Maidenhair fern forest. We learn the basics of the fern life cycles and how to identify a few common ferns. Looping around, we return via the sugarhouse. Medium difficulty hike. Three miles?????
Invasive Species
The following invasive plants are around and in Strafford. Each link has information on these plants and how to help get rid of them from our landscape. Select the block and then click on "go to link" for more information
 Buckthron replaces native trees and shrubs in Vermont's forests and fields. It is easy to see in the fall when its dark blue berries cover the tree's branches. |
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 Garlic Mustard invades Vermont's forests and wet meadows. This pant is easy to see in April and May when its white flowers are blooming. |
 Wild chervil invades Vermont's fields and forests. It is easy to see in May and June when its white flowers are in bloom. |
 Purple loosestrife invades Vermont's fields, marshes, and bogs. It is easy to see in the summer when its showy magenta blooms are at their peak. |
 Japanese knotweed invades the banks of Vermont's rivers, streams and lakes. It is easy to see in August when its white flowers bloom. |
 Goutweed invades Vermont's fields, river edges and floodplain forests. It is easy to see in July when its white flowers are in bloom. |
Conservation Commission Minutes
2022 Meeting Minutes
2021 Meeting Minutes
2020 Meeting Minutes
2019 Meeting Minutes
2018 Meeting Minutes
2017 Meeting Minutes
2016 Meeting Minutes
2015 Meeting Minutes
2014 Meeting Minutes