From the Director’s Desk

by Rob Terry

Every Tuesday morning at eight a.m., Merck’s staff members gather in the Sap House for a weekly check-in—pretty standard stuff. We share our goals for the week, identify ways we can support one another, review incidents and hazards, and ensure we’re set up to make progress on collaborative projects. While we’re together, we also take time to pause, step back from process and planning, to purposefully express our gratitude for the support we’ve received from one another, the joyful interactions we’ve had with visitors, the natural world in which we work, etc.

In the spirit of our weekly gratefuls, I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible work that so many in Vermont have done to position our little state as a global leader in COVID-19 vaccinations. Thanks to this Herculean effort, 82.1% of Vermont’s residents have received at least one vaccination (compared to 23.4% worldwide), while 65.6% are fully vaccinated. Our weekly meetings in the Sap House are once again in person, a great relief for a staff that has purposefully chosen place-based work. On sunny days, the farm and trails are teeming with visitors from around the region, who now have unrestricted access to the Green Mountain State. Joyful laughter from young participants in our summer camp programs is echoing across our forests and fields. Campfires are crackling outside of cabins and lean-tos as the sun sets across the southern Adirondacks. Everything is back to normal.

Of course, a quick scan through any news feed reveals that normal isn’t quite what it used to be. Have we re-localized? Has the American workforce permanently shifted? Will all of the bikes, kayaks, skis, paddleboards, camping gear, etc., purchased during the pandemic be relegated to the garage? Are we on the verge of a 1920s style social revival? As a global community, can we close the growing gap in vaccinations between rich and poor countries? Unanswered questions, both large and small, remain. Regardless of where the answers to these questions lead us, there remain enduring truths. We are of this planet, dependent on its systems and connected to its rhythms. Our connection to the natural world provides immense benefits to both physical and mental health. We are at our best when we work to serve those around us who find themselves in need. We will continue to focus on these simple truths here at Merck Forest & Farmland Center. We do not know what the future will bring. We do, however, know that wherever this post-pandemic path leads us, our collective future will be brighter when we build a deep connection to the land and foster a culture of respect and care for this amazing planet we call home.

PHOTO CREDITS: front cover Cara Davenport p. 2 Max Miley p. 3 Anna Terry p. 4 Daniel Kaufman, Bella Reed p. 5 Tyler Hughes, Max Miley p. 4-5 Max Miley p. 6 Cara Davenport, Anna Terry, NG:D Archive p. 7 Tyler Hughes p. 8-9 Anna Terry p. 10 MFFC archive p. 14 Cara Davenport p. 17 Tyler Hughes p. 19 Chris Hubbard p. 23 MFFC archive back cover Tyler Hughes

Board Of Trustees

Merrill Bent

Dinah Buechner-Vicher

Kat Deely, Secretary

Jim Hand

Greg Hopper, Treasurer

Mark Lourie

San Schneski, Vice President

John Stasny

Sue Van Hook, President

Brian Vargo

Advisors

Jill Perry Balzano

Judy Buechner

Donald Campbell

Jean Ceglowski

Austin Chinn

Jock Irons

Jon Matthewson

Bob McCafferty

Staff

Stephanie Breed Visitor Center Coordinator

Cara Davenport

Education Manager

Tim Duclos

Conservation Manager

Dylan Durkee

Farm Manager

Chris Ferris-Hubbard

Education Director

Kathryn Lawrence

Asst. Executive Director

Marybeth Leu

Communications Coordinator

Liz Ruffa

Advancement Director

Rob Terry Executive Director