OUR PROGRAMS

One of our goals is to provide meaningful educational experiences and environmental protection programming for  youth, young staff, and our local communities. We offer many opportunities for a variety groups associated with the camps of Farm & Wilderness, local schools, neighboring communities, and for staff looking looking for experience in the conservation field. Engaging the community and future generations in the stewardship of our natural spaces is vital to our values and work as a conservation organization.
Leadership Programs for Teens and Young Adults

We have a variety of programs that focus on conservation and nurturing young leaders. We partner with Farm & Wilderness to offer teenagers and young adults exclusive chances to grow personally and develop their leadership skills. The newly introduced camp programs include: 

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Carpentry and Construction
  • Artists in Residence
  • Agriculture and Homesteading
  • Lifeguarding and Wilderness First

Our conservation and farm departments collaborate with summer staff to guide teens on various sustainability-focused projects. The campers are actively involved in creating a plant guide for Woodward Reservoir, establishing a pollinator garden, developing an interpretive trail guide, and crafting farm-fresh recipes. These programs empower the teens to participate in and shape how we use, understand, and protect our lands and waters. Through hands-on experiences, they gain valuable knowledge about food systems and actively contribute to preserving our environment.

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After-School Program

The after-school programming for local schools remains unwavering. On a monthly basis, we make visits to 8 sites where we facilitate enjoyable nature- or farm-themed activities. Through this program, we have the opportunity to engage with more than 70 children in grades K-6 across two local school districts. This year, we had numerous noteworthy moments, including participating in the cider pressing, exploring maple sugaring, welcoming visits from farm animals, building beaver dams, and delving into the fascinating world of leaves. Additionally, we had the privilege of hosting several local school groups on our premises, granting students access to our diverse programming, farm facilities, and the beauty of our conserved lands.

 

Aquatic Invasive Prevention Programs

Farm & Wilderness Conservation is the primary organizer and funder of these aquatic invasive species prevention programs, in partnership with the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Mount Holly, and the Town of Plymouth. The prevention programs include greeters and aquatic surveys.

Farm & Wilderness Conservation provides funding of $44,000-$60,000 per year for these programs. The Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation covers 36% of those costs with an Aquatic Invasive Species Grant-in-Aid. Community donations and annual funds support the remaining $40,000-$28,000 of matching funding. You can help keep Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah free of invasives with a donation!

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Seasonal Conservation Internship Program

This program is specifically designed for students or recent graduates interested in gaining practical experience in the field. In addition to our established seasonal farm crew, we have added a new staff role to our team. The primary objective of this internship is to offer participants real-world work experience in conservation and natural resource management. It provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to develop their skills and knowledge in these fields while making a meaningful impact on our environment.