While the mountains were blanketed with a foot of snow from an early season snowstorm, Sugarbush employees worked in the valley to plant 100 trees and shrubs on the bank of the Mad River. The snow turned to rain at lower elevations priming the soil for planting native trees before winter arrives, and we had a perfect, sunny afternoon for it.
The planting took place at the Lincoln Peak snowmaking pond. This is near where we replaced the snowmaking water intake infrastructure a couple years ago. As part of the project, Sugarbush developed a riparian management plan for the area of land between the river and the pond. The purpose of the tree planting is to protect water quality, land and water-based habitat, and improve flood resilience. We planted red maples, balsam popular, shrub willows, and red osier dogwood. These species are native to Vermont and will thrive and improve the quality of the riparian area.
Over the next few years, we will monitor the plantings for survival and replant as necessary. We’ll also continue to maintain this area by removing invasive species like Japanese knotweed. That way the trees and shrubs can grow and spread, provide riverbank stabilization, shade, and healthy habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species. This is just one of many projects Sugarbush has implemented to improve habitat and water quality.
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