Education & Program Updates

by Elena Santos, Education Coordinator

MCS Innovation Fund:

Readers may remember from the Spring Ridgeline my reflections on the newly piloted funding process for Mettawee Community School (MCS) students. Chris and I have had the opportunity to work with our first grant applicants, the 5th grade classes, whose proposals were for student operated school gardens. The 5th graders formed groups and collaborated to write their proposals, create slideshow presentations, and pitch their presentations to the Education Team at Merck Forest. We are excited to announce that funding has been awarded to (insert group name here). This group has planned a small garden protected by a gated fence and has created a weekly sign up sheet for classmates and parents to make sure the garden is cared for all summer.

Elena’s Roving Interp:

As of Memorial Day weekend I have transitioned to my summer role as roving interpreter. In the last two weeks I have hiked around the Discovery, Farm, and Wildlife Trails chatting with visitors. Some visitors I have had the pleasure of meeting on their first visit to Merck Forest, and others were seasoned visitors who excitedly shared their plans to return. In this time I have also facilitated two Sunday Meet and Feeds alongside our farm manager, Hadley. The weather has been beautiful with temperate, breezy, sunny days welcoming visitors. Stay tuned for details about all ages programming on upcoming Saturdays through August!

Game of Logging & SOLO Wilderness First Aid

By Chris Hubbard, Education Director

The rev of chainsaws could be heard over the past few weeks here at Merck Forest as those with little to no experience in handling a chainsaw learned the basics, while those whose skills were much more advanced gained the skills necessary to safely tackle more challenging situations such as storm-damaged trees. Each year we partner with Northeast Woodland Training Center, based in Middletown Springs, Vermont, to provide chainsaw safety courses, during which participants can become certified in industry-recognized training. This year, with classes filled to capacity - 37 participants participated in 6 classes ranging from Basic Use and Safety to Game of Logging Level 4, with many participants taking multiple levels of training.

We also partnered once again with SOLO Schools based in Conway, New Hampshire, to offer Wilderness First Aid (WFA). This industryrecognized professional development course provides participants with training in backcountry first aid skills and CPR. A class of 15 participants gained certification in WFA, providing them with the knowledge to address many backcountry emergencies and provide first aid when needed.

New Faces

Meet Tyler Hughes, Recreation Tech

My name is Tyler Hughes and this is my second summer working as a Merck Forest’s recreation technician. I work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as a second job. You might see me driving around on the weekends! My passions include trail work, skiing and mountain biking.

Meet Rick Lawrence, Working Lands Operations

Rick has been a volunteer over the years at Merck Forest - cooking sausage at pancake breakfast, parking cars and helping with chores. He is happy to be part of the land management team this summer - repairing, rebuilding, roofing, mowing, and putting to good use all the skills he has acquired as a farmer and business owner.

Meet Mike Stock, Working Lands Operations

I have a degree from Paul Smith’s College in Urban Tree Management. My wife Hadley and I have lived in the area for 20 years and have 3 children. I love the outdoors, chainsaws, sugaring, and working hard! I’m excited to be joining the crew at Merck Forest.

This summer, MFFC be collaborating with the Student Conservation Association, Mawah Environmental Volunteer Organization, and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps to provide residential opportunities for young adults to gain valuable experience in the forest and on the farm through service learning. Participants will be coming from New York City, northern New Jersey, and all around Vermont respectively. While at Merck Forest these groups will be learning about trail design, assessment and maintenance, light carpentry, farm and forest management, and invasive species removal.