Tour of Town Forest
Saturday in Royalton

"This is a success story that deserves to be told and seen," says Mary Russ of the White River Partnership.

Ten years ago, Lili-Charlotte Sarnoff of Barnard gave Royalton 55 acres. The Selectboard established the Royalton Conservation Commission and charged it with caring for and protecting this field and forest for the long-term benefit of the town.

The RCC put together a plan and is carrying it out. High on the list of goals is to make the area accessible to children as an outdoor lab. Teachers bring their students to learn, plant trees, see, and explore.

Here is a place where the history of man and nature is clearly written on the land. An old rail switchback tells of how Bethel’s white granite used to come down the steep hill to the tracks following the White River. A wetland has many characteristics of vernal pools and is rich with intersecting wildlife signs. Young forests are filling in abandoned fields and an old sugarbush is giving way to younger trees.

The Conservation Commission is being careful and active in managing this land. A recent harvest removed insect-deformed pines and is starting a new area of young forest. A drive now provides access to the land and will lead to off-street parking.

"Mrs. Sarnoff would be proud of what has become of her donation," Russ exclaimed..

Members of the Royalton Conservation Commission are hosting a tour of the town forest for the White River Partnership’s Forestry Work Group and the public, emphasizing vernal pool protection and community forestry, from 1 to 4 on Saturday, April 7.

Bring some water and dress for a walk uphill into the forest. The Partnership will provide snacks after the tour, which meets at Eye Care for You on Route 107 near Exit 3 of I-89.