Community science is how members of the public can support conservation and sustainable natural resource use by collecting data, monitoring conditions, and reporting important information to better understand how we can protect and connect with the natural world we live in.

Farm & Wilderness Conservation values the contributions that every person can make towards understanding and protecting our forests and waters. Community science is one way for individuals to connect in the work we do. We collaborate with various other organizations to train volunteers and staff on how to monitor and collect important data. The data and information collected can then be used to benefit conservation efforts directly impacting our conserved lands as well as in our region of Vermont and across the state.

FWC provides resources, training, and information to anyone interested in participating in community science efforts. Do you live in the Plymouth or Mount Holly area and want to support our local community science efforts? Please contact conservation@farmandwilderness.org to find out how you can get involved. 

Community science programs and activities we support include:

• Land invasive plant and pest monitoring and reporting. Our conserved lands have over 20 different invasive plants we monitor and manage. We provide resources to neighbors and other landowners on how to identify, manage, and dispose of invasive plants that threaten the health of our forests and fields.
• Aquatic invasives prevention and surveying. We partner with Vermont Dept. and Lakes and Ponds on provide greeter programs for Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah. FWC also encourages members of the local community to attend free trainings provided by Lake & Ponds. We are always looking for folks to be trained as greeters or survey patrollers for this program!
• Trail maintenance and monitoring
• Shoreline protection and improvement
• Vernal pool monitoring and mapping
• Loon monitoring and conservation. We work with Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) and trained volunteers to protect nesting and healthy habitats for the common loons at Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah. Check out the VCE Vermont Loon Conservation Project for more information.