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BUSY AS A ...
There comes a time in the life of every young'un when he must leave the lodge and find a home of his own; when Mom says "hit the road". That time has arrived for too many beavers at Flanders.
Young beavers have made new homes in just about every conceivable wet spot at both sanctuaries, including the bog and the pond at the Whittemore Sanctuary, and even Lake Quassapaug. In addition to their favorite haunt in the marsh at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, the beavers have now made their way down to the lower pond there. The results are telling. Dams have been built and water levels are rising, wreaking havoc and damaging endangered flora and fauna, as well as man-made footbridges and viewing sites.
What is a nature center to do? Managing the beaver problem comes under the auspices of our highly regarded Land Management Committee, which is looking for a solution that reflects the values and principles underlying our mission as an environmental organization.
Committee Chair Tom Kaelin, along with members Steve and Melissa Shepstone, have been busy as beavers, studying the issue extensively and seeking a remedy. In their words, "The beaver population has grown tremendously, as a result of less trapping and hunting, and a decline in their natural predators. The problem is important, particularly at the Whittemore bog, because of the presence of endangered plant species. Last year, the beavers caused the water level to rise, but not enough to threaten the endangered species there, which are under the protection of the DEP. As the water level has risen, those species are now in danger".
Kaelin says, "Our committee met with DEP officials last fall, including a wildlife expert and a biologist, to get a perspective on the problem from the point of view of both the beavers and the bog. Along with input from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, we've decided on a method of treatment called the Water Level Control Device, which is designed specifically for beaver problems". The mechanism introduces a two-pronged approach, first by blocking the area where beavers build, then by redirecting the flow of water in such a way that the pesky critters are "tricked" into a state of complacency (i.e. no building activity). When they stop building, the water level stabilizes and the threat to endangered species is lessened.
How are they "tricked"? The device taps into the beavers' instinct to enlarge and strengthen their dam whenever they hear water rushing past it, believing that the dam must be full of holes and in need of repair. By silently diverting water from the dam area - the operative word being "silently"- the device removes the trigger to build (the sound of rushing water). Without the sound of rushing water spurring them into action, the beavers typically leave the dam alone, and the water level remains constant. The device allows the landowner to create a delicate balance between the height of the dam, the level of the water, and the height of the water exit.
But, as Kaelin says, the success of the device depends on the personality of the beavers involved, "Some are mellow, and will leave the dam alone. Others are very industrious, and will insist on continuing to build. It's as if they say to themselves 'I want my water higher'. Until the device is in place, we won't know what type of personality we're dealing with!"
Woodbury's Inland Wetlands Agency has approved the project, which they hope will serve as a model for similarly besieged landowners. Everyone has the same goal: to allow endangered flora and fauna, and the beavers, to co-exist in the same environment.
ART STUDIO TOUR
The Flanders Art Committee is putting the finishing touches on a very interesting program featuring a studio tour of four well-known local artists, entitled "Back to a Past, a Peek at the Present".
The daylong event is planned for June 22, and includes a catered garden luncheon. In the words of Committee member and artist Melody Asbury, "This will be an interesting and informative peek into the lives of accomplished, working artists. They'll talk about what they do, and why and how they do it. Like most artists, they've done more than one type of art in their lives. They're all different - a great variety of people and settings. David Bell, for example lives and works in a converted church, which is fascinating".
The featured artists are David Eugene Bell of Washington (needlepoint, stained glass, design), Mel Crawford of Washington (painter and illustrator, acrylic), Peter Seltzer of Bethlehem (painting, oil and pastel), and Flanders founder Natalie Van Vleck in Woodbury (painting, woodblock prints).
Tickets for the event cost $100, which includes morning refreshments, catered gourmet lunch, transportation to the various studios, and artists' presentations. For additional information, contact Flanders at (203) 263-3711.
MAPLE SYRUP -WRAPUP
Another sweet year - 900 people visited Flanders for the Maple Sugaring season, the largest number ever! Thirty five volunteers ushered in the season by tapping trees, collecting sap, boiling it down, conducting educational and interpretive programs, and celebrating the fruit of their labors: 31 gallons of pure maple syrup. Although the mission of the Maple Syrup Program is educational in nature, some mighty tasty syrup is now for sale at Flanders, in containers of various sizes. It's delicious, and it makes a great gift, too!
In support of Maple Sugaring at Flanders, our Land Managers Ben Berecz and Josh Rapport have initiated a program to insure the long-term health of the existing maple sugarbush at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, allowing us to increase our syrup production while protecting the health of the trees. This year an additional 109 taps were set in previously untapped trees on the Sanctuary.
In managed areas, understory trees are cleared to give more mature trees greater access to resources from the ground. Cleared trees will be used to fire up the enormous wood stove at the Sugar House next winter, thus aiding in the production of next season's syrup. Underbrush removed from cleared areas is piled in locations where it will create habitat for small animals. What goes around comes around!
The Maple Sugaring Program offers an important opportunity to better understand and reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and has been a much- loved harbinger of spring in Woodbury for four decades.
WWW.FLANDERSNATURECENTER.ORG
Have you logged on to Flanders' web site lately? Don't delay - you'll be pleasantly surprised! The site has been up and running for several years but has been stylishly upgraded by Deron Ash, a Flanders volunteer who specializes professionally in web design. Deron is active in local conservation and environmental organizations.
The web site features a host of information about Flanders, and will keep you apprised of all that's going on at the nature center. Check it out - you're sure to learn something new about Flanders!
VAN VLECK PAINTING ACQUIRED
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous friend of Flanders, a stunning painting by Flanders' founder and accomplished artist Natalie Van Vleck has been acquired and donated to the nature center. The painting had been sold in the early 1990's when Flanders offered a number of Van Vleck's pieces at auction, and was reacquired as a beautiful example of her nature paintings.
Natalie Van Vleck holds a unique niche in the art world, and is recognized for
her early cubist/expressionist paintings. As her career progressed, her subjects focused increasingly on objects and scenes in nature. The newly acquired piece features a jungle-inspired theme, one of many from Van Vleck's visits to the South Sea Islands. The large piece is on view at the Studio Welcome Center, which Van Vleck designed in the 1920's as her home and studio, and where she did most of her paintings and woodcarvings.
With financial support from several grants, along with the expert work of artist and archivist Marc Chabot and the Flanders Art Committee, a number of Van Vleck's works have been beautifully preserved, cleaned and mounted, and are also on display at the Studio.
BARN RAISING: THE NEW SUGAR HOUSE IS COMING!
A very exciting event is about to take place as Flanders embarks on its first large building project since the Trail House was added in the 1960's.
Construction will begin this summer on a new Sugar House, to be located near the Christmas tree groves at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary. A community barn raising will bring the frame of the building to its feet on (or around) the weekend of June 15. This is your chance to be a part of something big! Everyone can help is some way - to carry wood, swing a hammer, cook barbeque, play the fiddle, lead hikes, and have an all-around good time together.
For 40 years, the Sap House on Cowles Road has served Flanders well, as thousands of folks learned the art and science of making maple syrup. Years of memories were made there, as friends returned again and again to mark the annual harvest - trudging through the snow to reach the hut, eyeing the waves of smoke swirling into the cold air from the chimney, breathing in the steamy aroma of hot sap emanating through the surrounding woods, standing by the massive stove as the wood crackled and the syrup boiled.
Most would admit, nevertheless, that the charming facility has long outgrown its capacity to host 800-900 visitors each season. The Board of Directors has spent a great deal of time evaluating the nature center's "campus" and reviewing its programming in the context of its larger mission. Their conclusion: only a new facility could meet the educational imperative and growing demands Flanders faces. The Board considered Flanders' long-term goals, as well as its short-term needs, in determining what type of facility would best serve the nature center's needs.
In the words of Executive Director Arthur Milnor and Project Chair Bill Anthony of William Anthony Construction, Inc., "The building will allow Flanders to move to the next level of service to Woodbury and the surrounding communities. The new Sugar House will give us the indoor space we need to accommodate the many visiting school groups, as well as adult classes that are too large for the Trail House". The new facility will house not only our traditional maple sugaring activities, but perhaps the production of honey and sweet apple cider as well.
In considering the design, the Board and staff wanted a building that was in keeping with our rich tradition of preserving the historic post and beam structures on the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary. Accordingly, Vermont Frames has been hired to construct the post and beam frame. A scale model of the facility, made by Bill Anthony, and a painting of "The "Sugar House" by Flanders educator Dianne Parmelee, are on view at the nature center's office. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and see what the buzz is all about, and to support the project by making a contribution to purchase a "leaf" for our "Sugar House Tree". Donations of all sizes are appreciated.
Making substantial contributions to the project, either in labor, materials or funding, are the following: Waterbury Republican American; Woodbury Supply Co., Inc.; Washington Supply Co., Inc.; George Green & Co. (plumbers); Henry Hart, PE; O & G Industries; Liberty Cedar, Inc.; Henry Long and fellow carpenters; architect Guy Gabrielson and Project Chair Bill Anthony of William Anthony Construction, Inc. The list of contributors grows daily, and all parties will be duly recognized.
Ever been to an old-fashioned barn raising? Now's your chance! Publicity for the big day will be in all the papers in the coming weeks. We hope people from every sector of the community will join us for this very special day - to work, to play, or just to offer encouragement! The event will include a picnic/barbeque, square dance, music, kids' activities and hikes. It will be a day to remember.
We're looking for members and friends who would like to help plan the day, as well as participate in it. Please call Flanders for more information (203) 263-3711.