Jericho, Vermont Photos: Jericho Natural Resources Overlay Draft Presentation

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Jericho Natural Resources Overlay Draft Presentation - Event Photos

On March 20, 2018, Jens Hilke from the VT Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Community Program gave a presentation that addressed: What natural resources are in town? How do we know what is there? Why protect Jericho's natural resources? What has the town been doing to protect open land?

The Planning commission gave a brief overview of a [working] draft of a Natural Resources Overlay proposed for the Land Use Regulations.

One of the views we enjoyed on the way to the meeting at the Jericho Elementary School.

Prior to the presentations, folks studied the large overlay maps.

Tom Baribault (Conservation Commission Chair) opened the meeting and introduced the speakers.

Jens Hilke, Biologist (VT Fish and Wildlife - Community Wildlife Program) Presentation (Photos of some of Jens' slides and notes we took.)

Definition of a natural community: Interacting assemblage of living and non-living things.

BioFinder is the state's online portal for getting information about ecologies, landscapes, and ecological functions.

While doing planning and zoning for an ecologically functional landscape we are looking for networks of connected lands: Large forest blocks (anchors of connectivity), smaller forest blocks that act as stepping stones between the large forest blocks, wildlife road crossings, and stream-side or riparian forest corridors.

Trail-based recreation is on the rise in the state. The more people who love being outside, the greater the conservation ethos in that area. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and other non-motorized activities are encouraged.

Planning Commission Presentation

The purpose of the Natural Resources Overlay District (NRO) is to preserve, conserve, and protect the Protected Natural Resources of Jericho by preserving their ecological qualities and preventing degradation of their ecological functions.