Vermont State Parks

Vermont State Parks is proposing some modest fee increases to generate funds to offset increasing operation and maintenance costs. Revenue generated from state park services helps sustain the system and all its values, including preservation of open space and interpretation of our environment and the natural world. We would like your input on these changes. Let us know what you think. Please contact Craig Whipple, Director of State Parks, via email at craig.whipple@state.vt.us or mail at Craig Whipple, Vermont State Parks, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT  05620. Comments will be accepted until May 12, 2014. You are also invited to attend a public meeting about these proposed changes, Monday, May 5, 5:30 PM at the DEC Act 250 Conference Room, Agency of Natural Resources, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, Vermont 05453. The proposed changes are as follows: Increase camping fees by $2/per night Increase fee for Mt. Philo picnic pavilion to $200 Monda...

This past weekend, visitors arrived at Niquette Bay State Park in Colchester to celebrate Saturday's  almost full moon with an evening snowshoe hike. The 1.5 mile hike through the park had a turnout of about 40 people, including several visiting the park for the first time and Milton Boy Scout Pack #43. The hike was led by Niquette Bay State Park Ranger, Lisa Liotta. According to Lisa, “an hour or so before the hike, a heavy snow began to fall and continued all through the event, adding a couple inches of snow to the trails and turning the park into a winter wonderland.” Though the moon wasn't entirely visible through the snow, hikers enjoyed a beautiful winter evening in the park. Following the hike, e veryone warmed up with some hot cocoa and a bonfire, expertly maintained by the boy scouts.  Stay tuned for Wildflower Walks at Niquette Bay this spring!

When we “spring forward” early in the morning this Sunday, we set our clocks ahead one hour, and as a result, gain an hour of daylight in the evening. This event is practiced across the United States, with the exception of most of Arizona, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Marianas Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time is practiced in not only North America, but also much of Europe, and parts of Brazil. It is not observed in most African and Asian countries; Russia did away with the practice in 2011. The tradition is a based on the idea that an extra hour of daylight in the evening will increase productivity and decrease energy use. However, incidences of energy savings and increased activity seem to be dependent on region, habits, and outside temperature. Some people argue that it is too difficult for the body’s inner clock to adjust to the time shift, while others seem to enjoy the longer days. According to Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Dayli...