KRUSCH PRESERVE REPORT FOR CAMBRIDGE TOWN REPORT, MARCH 2023

Report of the Krusch Preserve Committee

The Krusch Preserve had many enthusiastic visitors throughout the seasons this year, both daily visitors and attendees at the monthly guided nature walks. Two classes from Cambridge Elementary School visited, and a Master Naturalist Training program used the Preserve for several classes.

The Town’s new Krusch Preserve Committee meets quarterly and is active in planning and maintaining the Preserve. Members are Sally Laughlin (Chair), Liam Kearney (Vice Chair), Georgeana Little (Clerk), Holly Ferris, Mary Fiedler, Jane Porter, and Elizabeth Spier. Meetings are quarterly, on the last Thursday of January, April, July, and October, at 6 pm at the Town Offices.

A major event of the year for us is that the Town now has a Peter A Krusch Nature Preserve Endowment, established at the Vermont Community Foundation, set up thanks to donations from generous individuals: one of $25,000 to establish the endowment and a second at $10,000 from an anonymous donor. Interest from the Endowment will come to the Town, restricted to use for the Preserve. Although there may be fundraising necessary for special Preserve projects, there will be no general fundraising campaign for the endowment. Additions are expected to come through bequests and special gifts (contact Sally Laughlin for more information at Chair@KruschNaturePreserve.org.

In 2023, nine guided nature walks were held, with enthusiastic attendance. See the website for more information and photographs, as well as coming events. Public programs are also posted on Front Porch Forum.

  • 21 October Geology Walk led by Stephen Wright of UVM, on surface geology.
  • 21 September Fungi/Mushroom Identification Walk led by Silvio Mazzerese with many fungi identified for an enthusiastic group.
  • 9 August Finding Bats through Echolocation evening walk led by Bill Giezentanner, using a wildlife acoustics bat detection device.
  • 25 July Butterflies/Pollinator Walk led by Nathaniel Sharp of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, with five species of butterfly located.
  • 17 May Spring Bird Walk with 17 species located and reported to VT e-Bird by Annette Kalinski.
  • 28 May Bird Walk led by Roo and Jack Slagle with 30 species located.
  • 27 April Signs of Spring Walk led by Mary Fiedler
  • 7 May Wildflower Walk led by Lara Weis and Mary Fiedler.
  • 8 January Animal Tracking on Snowshoes Workshop with Sophie Mazowita, which located many species including Red Fox, Gray Fox, Fisher, and many smaller four-footeds.
  • Seasonal Events at the Labyrinth to mark the changing seasons of the solar calendar, the Solstices and the Equinoxes.

A Preserve tour was held for elementary school teachers from Cambridge Elementary School, and soon afterwards the kindergarten and 1st grade classes had field trips to the Preserve. In addition, a Master Naturalist Training program held programs here.

The Preserve website has a wealth of information, including a virtual tour of the Nature Trail created by Abe Weintraub, which includes our interpretive displays and stunning aerial views. Thanks to Sara Laurie’s undertaking the translation, we were able to produce a brochure in French, which was printed as well as added to our website (see KruschNaturePreserve.org/brochure-en-francais). Liam Kearney manages the website as well as directing nature trail maintenance projects, with the help of the Trails Committee. The new benches placed along the trails this year are a great addition and much appreciated by walkers. Liam Kearney manages the website as well as directing nature trail maintenance projects, with the help of the Trails Committee. The new benches placed along the trails this year are a great addition and much appreciated by walkers.

Besides trail work, volunteers are needed for ongoing work projects to control invasive species, especially the Asian Honeysuckle in the open Sandblow. Elizabeth Spier has organized these crews this year and will next year as well.

Future Plans: The Preserve Committee is working on a never-to-be-logged approach to managing the forested areas of the Preserve, with the goal of working towards an eventual mature forest. If accepted, this would make our current management plan’s guidelines permanent and make a modest contribution to the Vermont goal of increasing biodiversity conservation areas.

The Krusch Preserve Committee continues to seek opportunities to expand the Preserve’s educational and recreational mission, and welcome suggestions. See the website to contact us, volunteer to assist with Preserve projects, or for more information on programs kruschnaturepreserve.org.