School is out, Science is IN! Become a Jericho Citizen Scientist

School is out, Science is IN! Are you curious about the web of life in your town or city, in your park, pond, trails, or backyard? Do you want to find out more about bees, birds, insects, amphibians, plants, and other wildlife you observe? Do you want to contribute to citizen science by sharing photos of the wildlife you observe? If so, read below, about the citizen science programs - easy to use online websites.

As much as I am interested in knowing my Jericho community members, I am curious about the non-human life, the web of life in the backyard, as well as at the pond, Mobbs trails, even along the dirt roads of the town. As I walk about or even as I sit outdoors an enormous quantity of often, unseen, unnoticed, unheard species of life go about their daily lives. I wish to become acquainted or at least aware of more of them. 

Do you share this desire?

Want to get help identifying an organism (plant, bird, insect, mammal...) that you have come across?

Want to know more about the non-human life you see about you?

Want to contribute to science and conservation?

Want to record your bird, insect, or another animal sighting?

Here are a few tools available online to help you. Beginner to expert welcome.

iNaturalist  or iNaturalist of Vermont is an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. Anyone can enter a photo of any living thing - any species even if you do not know the identification. Knowledgeable people will review and help ID photos of species posted. Anyone can view the data by location (ex. Jericho) and or by species. 

eBird collects and reports bird sightings including location and time. The data is used by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and others to document the presence or absence of species, as well as bird abundance. Anyone can enter and view the data. Photos are optional. 

eButterfly is an international, data-driven project dedicated to butterfly biodiversity, conservation, and education. An online checklist and photo storage program. Help track butterflies.

Vermont Center for Ecostudies advances the conservation of wildlife across the Americas through research, monitoring, and citizen engagement. See their Become a citizen scientist page to choose the right science project for you (to volunteer or participate), including Wild Bee Survey, iNaturalist, e-Butterfly, Vermont e-Bird, Vermont vernal pool monitoring and mapping project, Loon watch and Loon conservation project, Eastern Whip-poor-will project, Vermont forest bird monitoring, Vermont breeding bird survey, and the Phoenix project.  

Vermont Atlas of Life is a library of knowledge of Vermont's animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms - an online, real-time resource with maps, photographs, and data for anyone to use. 

Vermont Wild Bee Survey (Vermont Center for EcoStudies - Vermont Atlas of Life.)

Bumble Bee Watch (from the Xerces Society)

E.O. Wilson's Half-Earth Project

     This spring I have seen, in the backyard, an indigo bunting - a sparrow-sized bird, with a conical bill, of striking bright blue far surpassing the blue of a bluebird; orioles more orange than the oranges they were feeding at;

Warblers including Cape May warbler with distinctive chestnut cheek patch and yellow collar; 

Tricolored bumblebees - yellow-orange and black upon the early spring blossoms of honeyberry, flowering quince, and dandelions. And of course many other birds, butterflies, moths, 

Chipmunks, Squirrels, and other life forms I recognize.

Meet your neighbor's Eye to Eye.

      However, the unknown far outweighs what I can identify by name. Many more life forms are at my feet or in my range of senses, completely unknown to me though I share common ground with them. 

     Who are these near neighbors of ours? What are their names? What do they look like? Where do they nest, what do they eat, what anomalies among their species might I notice? What are some of the many benefits they unwittingly provide us? These are some questions we might ask ourselves when we are aware of the web of life in our yards, in our community.

     Call yourself an interested neighbor, a curious student of life, or even a citizen scientist. We are surrounded by life perhaps beyond our comprehension, surely beyond our knowledge. 

     Why not observe, explore, and learn about the species in the yard, parks, trails, of Jericho, Vermont? Perhaps even take a photo of what you see to share with others, and to get help identifying what unknowns you live with. 

     A citizen scientist, to me, is merely an extension of a good neighbor, getting to know who or what is in the neighborhood. What better place is there to start than in your own backyard? In addition, there is the additional reward that focused quiet attention provides: the slow stillness and solitude of absorbing the images of new discoveries of life.


(Citizen Science is a collaboration between scientists and volunteers to expand opportunities for data collection and to provide access to scientific information to community members. This enables participants to make a direct contribution to research, increase their scientific understanding, and learn more about environmental issues. Opportunities for personally transformative experiences abound. ~Google)

     Meet your neighbors - what species do you see? Will you share your findings with us all? Shall we catalog the community of Jericho for all to get to know?

Stop Look, and Listen - and share a photo and or text of what you see. Let's take inventory and learn more about Jericho's living resources. Discover the Jericho web of life!

Note that there are 385 known bird species and 58 mammal species inhabiting Vermont and the insect diversity may approach 22,000 species according to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. We have scant knowledge of their (pollinators and others) distribution or population trends.

Start observing and cataloging today!

Match a face with a name.

Simply enter a photo of any species on iNaturalist. Sign up online, log in, select the green upload box, upload your species photo, type in the name of the species if you know it, the location you sighted it, and the date sighted, then select "submit observation".

Getting to know Jericho, and liking what I observe!

Bernie

Moth White-spotted Anania funebris
often mistaken for a butterfly.
Its larva feeds on goldenrods.


Yellow-banded bumblebee, a threatened species (Bombus terricola) that I viewed in 2016 in South Burlington, VT.

Grapevine Epimenis Psychomorpha epimenis Drury
A woodland day flier that is often mistaken for a butterfly.
I viewed this one in S.B. Vt in May 2016.

FPF Posting

School is out Science is IN! Are you curious about the web of life in Jericho - at the pond, on the trails, in your backyard? Want to find out more about the bees, birds, insects, amphibians, plants, and other wildlife you observe? Want to contribute to citizen science by sharing your observations?

Read about the various citizen science programs - easy-to-use websites. See a listing of sites specifically for bees, or for birds, or for butterflies, or for any wildlife. Read more on my blog posting @ https://jerichovermont.blogspot.com/2019/05/jericho-citizen-scientist.html

We don't need to look to the skies for undiscovered or new life. We don't need to look farther than our own town to view unappreciated yet fascinating life of all kinds.

Explore Jericho's Nature where life abounds all around us.

Take a look @ https://jerichovermont.blogspot.com/2019/05/jericho-citizen-scientist.html

Jericho goes Quiet

"It was not always like this. In the beginning, the silence was profane and the noise was sacred. For most premodern human beings, ordinary life was altogether too quiet. Village life followed the recurring cycle of the seasons. Nothing much interrupted the sounds of rushing streams, waves breaking on the shore, spring rains, wind whistling through the trees, falling snow, the plowing of fields, and the planting of seeds."

From the book Sightings by Sam Keen.

JERICHO, VT – The town of Jericho has set upon creating an ambitious noise ordinance. New ordinance to schedule periods of complete silence in town. 

The expected benefits (of silence) citizens can expect are lower blood pressure, a boost to the immune system, an improved rate of new brain cell growth, lower blood cortisol, adrenaline, and tension, and reduced plaque formation in arteries. Citizens and visitors to Jericho alike may also finally find time to hear themselves think.

Expected improvements from this endeavor include:

Creativity. Free-roaming thoughts may find innovative solutions to dirt vs pavement and other Jericho road concerns – thus reducing town meeting day by half.

Awareness. Self-awareness will lead to a better appreciation of the natural world around us including the new native wildflower garden near the Jericho store, and the Jericho Country Store Creemees dripping down our chins.

Reflection. After a bit of meditation in silence, we might mend some relationships with our friends and neighbors (you know the ones – boundary line disputes, dog poop in a bag left on the ground, political divide on FPF…)

Sensitivity to other life. Recognition of life other than human life and its interconnectedness to our lives will suddenly become more apparent and key to our own success. Insects will become our friends –even the buzzing ones. Native plants will regain our interest and love.

Sleep. Restful, REM, restorative, energizing, quality sleep.

Students gain contemplative reflection - think about the meaning of their lessons – the deeper meaning and value of the lessons. Opportunity for careful and intentional communication along with practicing focus and self-control.   

Observation. Listening to our own bodies' needs and acting in ways that are healing and self-sustaining.

Suggestions to prepare for these planned moments of silence.

Invite a friend or go solo for a walk outside in nature in mutual silence. Unplug - Join a Families in Nature guided walk at a local trail.

Stay in bed an extra 5 minutes – gather a sense of appreciation of free quiet peaceful moments.

Practice mindfulness – living in the moment: Breath deeply. Focus on your breath to quiet your mind.

Use self-reflection to make meaning of life. Practice deep listening to different perspectives.

Stop, look, and listen. Make room for silence. As unexpected problems, uncomfortable situations, and crammed schedules scream at you, recall your intention to stop, look, and listen, then act. Remember the art of conversation is in the pauses in between. Note to self, reread the previous line daily.

Be Prepared: SILENCE IS LOUD at first.

Proposed Jericho Noise Ordinance

The town of Jericho select board proposes to create a town noise ordinance for Noise Control as follows.

In consideration of citizens' well-being, in order to balance the vitality of village life as well as prevent hearing loss, attention deficit, sleep loss, and a general reduction in quality of life the town of Jericho will protect the public tranquility.

Definitions

(a) Date and Times of COMPLETE QUIET in Jericho will be announced quarterly for a minimum of six minutes per session at a rate of three sessions per month or more as deemed necessary by the electorate at the town meeting each March.

Evidence of violation
A noise disturbance (during an announced quiet time) is defined as noise or disturbance of such magnitude as to be plainly audible outside of any building or in another dwelling or in the street or public way and shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.

Sound Dampening measures
As many sound causes cannot easily be turned off and then back on without disrupting commerce, the town will take action to muffle all sources of noise at its disposal.

(a) Street traffic: Roads (to be) permanently covered with open-cell foam that will have the combined benefit of silencing traffic and slowing it down.

Until applied to sidewalks, walkers should wear moccasins, and run barefoot.

 

(b) Pamphlets to be distributed: Slogans to include, "Promote Silence for better hearing."  "What time is (Jericho) Quiet (this week)?" And my favorite, "Find out what's to hear in Jericho."

(c.) Lawn Mowers: Only electric lawnmowers are allowed during quiet time.

(d) Leaf blowers: Buyback program: Swap leaf blowers for nearly silent running, exercise functioning, and rakes. OR just stop raking leaves and leave them where they fall for improved soil.

(e) Firing Range: National Guard to place mufflers on cannons, utilize air propulsion, and shoot foam projectiles during quiet times.

(f) Wood splitters must cover the hand splitter with a cloth. Mechanical splitters must be designed to absorb the thud and be pneumatically powered.

(g) Church bells must be replaced with sign-language interpreters.

(h) Cell phone ring tones:  Voice AND Texting are not allowed during quiet times. Exceptions for true emergencies: Only nature sound ring tones allowed.

(i) To help find ourselves: Turn off the TV, Radio, Internet, Social Media, Phones, take the buds out of your ears.

(j) Emergency vehicles will transition from high pitch sirens to alternating high and low two-tone signals like those used in many European countries. 

 

The writer(s) of this ordinance realize that the greater number of sounds addressed, the more subtle ones will announce themselves. Falling rain, snow, leaves even a bird landing on a branch may become noticeable. One’s breath, footsteps, and heartbeat may seem disruptive. Peepers will go from a comfortable lullaby to a drumming rock concert.

Small sounds heard might change many of our behaviors as well as remind us of the magnitude and disturbance of noise in our lives. Birds singing may draw us to pull up lawn chairs and to actually spend outdoor home time - sit in our own backyards, sip lemonade on our front porches, and visit with passerby neighbors.

By the periodic tasting of quiet, resourceful individuals may be inspired to find a way to counteract or eliminate a given noise even outside of the official quiet times. For example, some may decide to reduce their lawn size thereby reducing lawn mowing noise and the labor to mow. Some may discover that leaves left in place will magically decompose by the time plants turn green in the spring. Chainsaw activity might be contained in a segregated noise zone, as are most airports.

Greater self-knowledge, clarity of thinking, and awareness of life and beauty around us, in exchange for a few moments of silence, seem like a fair bargain. When we do have the sound turned on, perhaps we will do a better job of listening to each other and to the natural sounds of our world. Perhaps we will stop, look, and listen with more forbearance, and fortitude. Perhaps we will hear our own inner voice. The repercussions of quiet may be as vast as those of man-made noise, only for the better of us all.  We may meet ourselves, find inner peace, and realize our desires are simple and few. We may break away from the noise of the world and hear the true essence of the meaning and values of our lives.

Notice of future ordinance under consideration, “Darken Jericho for dark skies”. Release the stars and your dreams! Watch for it in the upcoming Jericho News, from Bernie Paquette.

Jericho Weather News: Spring is in a coma; however, she is slowly recovering and soon will be awake. Watch and listen to her colorful birthing and joyous celebratory singing. 

Green Noise

I can’t hear myself think
for all the quiet that abounds
in this forestland
that once was all around
(the old version of surround sound).

No cars, planes, leaf blowers, lawnmowers
those distractions that amass into a deafening roar
jarring my brain into distraction, a jumble of misfires
as my mind tries to shout its way to calm reasoning.

City sounds rattle my brain
like a percussion instrument.

What is the cure?
Moments of quiet restoration. But from where?

How much green noise to calm my thinking?
What will submerge man’s clanging and banging?

A heavy downpour of rain
can drown it all out.
Perhaps too, a babbling stream,
a serenading river
even bubbles,
percolating up through decaying vegetation
in murky shallow pools.

Green sounds soothe my mind
like fingers on a harp.

No longer competing with irregular sounds
my blaring thoughts burst asunder
for all the quiet that now I find
in this narrow forest trail
bounded by meadow on one side,
by marsh and vernal pools on the other.

Not,
until I hear myself think anew -
for all the quiet that surrounds
that I begin to hear for true.

A female Osprey whistles like a kettle
taken rapidly off the stove.
Does she know I (humankind) may bring spurious sounds
that may burst the dam
of nature’s acoustic space
harming the natural soundscape?

Red-winged blackbirds serenade spring.
Chickadees accompany me on my walk
like me, whistling softly in self-absorption.

Wood ducks disturbed, spook me
with the sudden nearby flapping
of wispy wings against the,
until now, still waterway.

Trees creak at their tall knees.
Gravel crackles under my feet.

I hear my own breath,
as I inhale the fragrance of hemlock and pine,
can hear even the sticky sap flow
and the wind playing tones of violin.
 
I could not hear myself think
until I heard,
even before I observed,
a pastel-colored butterfly
glide by -
a quiet bonafide
sound.

Bernie Paquette

April 2019

April 2020 update from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00965-x
Data from a seismometer at the observatory show that measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Brussels caused human-induced seismic noise to fall by about one-third, says Lecocq.
Comments:

I for one appreciate satire. M.C. Jericho

Here is a helpful link explaining the proposed noise ordinance http://bfy.tw/7WE
W.S.A. Jericho

Kudos to Bernie Paquette for his well-written piece. So well written, in fact, some have been duped into believing it's NOT satire. If you read the whole thing, there are obvious clues (foam on the roads, moccasins on the sidewalks while walking). Thanks for the laugh Bernie!   N.E. Jericho

I thought Bernie Paquette's post on May 17, was pretty amusing. It's satire - to my knowledge the town has no plans, at this time, to force you to stay in bed an extra five minutes in the morning. Click through to Bernie's page for entertaining reading: Locally sourced, Organic Jericho Satire for fun with a hint of serious thought for consideration.
V.M. Underhill

"Locally Sourced, Organic Jericho Satire for fun with a hint of serious thought for consideration."
Just a hint. 


Thanks, Bernie. You done good.
Some folks get so excited. It's almost as much fun watching them as reading the piece. Keep it coming. P.B. 

Resources used for this posting:
The Year of Silence (short story from Ecotone)

Quiet Communities Inc. 

One Square Inch project (A sanctuary for silence at Olympic National Park). 
Quiet Parks International

Small towns in VT that offer nothing but peace and quiet

https://www.medicaldaily.com/5-health-benefits-being-silent-your-mind-and-body-396934

http://www.thewisdompost.com/self-improvement/silence/top-21-outstanding-benefits-silence/1605

https://psychcentral.com/blog/7-reasons-why-you-need-quiet-time/

https://medium.com/personal-growth/the-value-of-silence-944844223f9c

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-moment-youth/201312/the-importance-silence-in-noisy-world (Foster self-reflection in teens)

https://www.edutopia.org/article/value-silence-schools

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence/

https://kineticsnoise.com/industrial/noise_ordinance.html (Definition, and various city ordinances)

https://kineticsnoise.com/industrial/noise_ordinance.html (BTV)

https://kineticsnoise.com/industrial/noise_ordinance.html (Woodstock)

https://www.realestatechampions.com/value-of-silence/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-value-of-silence_b_12626308?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACJyIZQhuQR-

Jjr5PfBLd4STEdcBqHsa_C5CGe0238pHAM1Z_HLa742o2jvbuEFLcebYj2mQydc2FpwInmkmDud5fThATguNtF5BlEkCY0pl8aWZZntTktWf2C9F7jzAXhh0gehWveFXvoPKvzrcrh-yy_XuYs3K7Sr6O9osGFX4 (Huff post)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2171268942933552 (Sirens)

17th annual Jericho Poetry Workshop: Poem Readings

Recommended reading

Thank You to Mary Jane Dickerson, Lisa Buckton and all those who participated in the 2019 annual April Poetry Workshop at  the Jericho Town Library and its culminating reading at the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library in Jericho! And Thank to Sun Dog for sponsoring the Jericho Poetry group and for MMCTV for recording the reading.



To listen to the reading, click on the following link:

https://archive.org/details/DRMLPoetryWorkshop04292019

Lisa Buckton, Mary Jane Dickerson: Introductions 00:01

The (optional) theme for the 2019 Jericho annual poetry workshop was Legacy / Legacies.

Sarah Ward: 10:26 L'Armatura Dell Mio Figlia (My Daughter's Armor)

Bernie Paquette: 13:34 "Green Noise"

Nancy Karlson: 17:35 "Once Seventeen Years Ago"

Marcia Reese: 23:44 "Isak's Gift"

Andrea Rogers: 33:03 "Dahlias"

Pat Nolin: 34:52 "A Tale of Two Worlds" 

Franco Gatti : 37:21 "Going to Work on a Cart"

Jessica Alexander: 41:15 "Fitzsimonds Road Speaks"

Sharon Anderson: 45:15 "Two Strains"

Emilie Alexander: 47:03 "Two Centuries and More"

Patricia Fontaine: 49:55 "Legacy"

Kyra Dissinger: 55:03 "My Immortal Remains"

Peter Anderson: 56:21 "First Tuesday in March"

Jean Beatson: 1:02:05 "One Year, One Window, One Tree"

Adrienne Fisher: 1:05:34 "The Unveiling"

Bill Drislane: 1:07:56 "Idyll at Chickering Bog"

Lisa Buckton: 1:14:03 "Lunar"

Recommended reading

What gift will you leave?

by Bernie Paquette

Not to be famous
should I want to be -
too much pressure
to succeed, lead, think grand ideas,
eradicate disease, poverty, solve world hunger –
Let the rich and famous, the celebrated, the public extroverts, the jocks, stars, politicians,
the youth of the upcoming generation
– let them carry the burden of legacy.

I am a mere solitary guest.
Who shall remember me beyond my family
who cares what little or much I do?
I owe nothing.
I only wish to make my way,
survive if not thrive
I owe no one.
My inscription short, no stone required.

Here lies _____
I done well for my family,
kept clean attire,
had a little fun -
that was good enough for me.
No remembrance songs, viral eulogies,
or town monuments do I expect.
For who expects more out of a regular person like me.

The footprints I left intentionally or not -
of those I took no conscious thought.

My actions - no matter of worldly concern,
Nor responsibility did I perceive for earth as a home.

Then an act of kindness
did I receive
from
an unadorned unknown individual.
That is when I began to see.

My family and I are guests
of a larger family of many families,
men and women, plants and animals -
a diverse ecosystem.
Every Day, every moment
often-unknown hosts
provide for us. 

Perhaps my value is not how many remember me, fame or fortune.
Perhaps my values stretch and impact far and wide
with every moment, with everything I touch.
And ought all my words, and actions and impacts
be a gift for all?

Bernie
April 2019

Green Noise

by Bernie Paquette

I can’t hear myself think
for all the quiet that abounds
in this forestland
that once was all around
(the old version of surround sound).

No cars, planes, leaf blowers, lawn mowers
those distractions that amass into a deafening roar
jarring my brain into distraction, a jumble of misfires
as my mind tries to shout its way to calm reasoning.

City sounds rattle my brain
like a percussion instrument.

What is the cure?
Moments of quiet restoration. But from where?

How much green noise to calm my thinking?
What will submerge man’s clanging and banging?

A heavy downpour of rain
can drown it all out.
Perhaps too, a babbling stream,
a serenading river
even bubbles,
percolating up through decaying vegetation
in murky shallow pools.

Green sounds soothe my mind
like fingers on a harp.

No longer competing with irregular sounds
my blaring thoughts burst asunder
for all the quiet that now I find
in this narrow forest trail
bounded by meadow on one side,
by marsh and vernal pools on the other.

Not,
until I hear myself think anew -
for all the quiet that surrounds
that I begin to hear for true.

A female Osprey whistles like a kettle
taken rapidly off the stove.
Does she know I (humankind) may bring spurious sounds
that may burst the dam
of nature’s acoustic space
harming the natural soundscape?

Red winged blackbirds serenade spring.
Chickadees accompany me on my walk
like me, whistling softly in self-absorption.

Wood ducks disturbed, spook me
with the sudden nearby flapping
of wispy wings against the,
until now, still waterway.

Trees creak at their tall knees.
Gravel crackles under my feet.

I hear my own breath,
as I inhale the fragrance of hemlock and pine,
can hear even the sticky sap flow
and the wind playing tones of violin.

I could not hear myself think
until I heard,
even before I observed,
a pastel colored butterfly
glide by -
a quiet bonafide
sound.

Bernie

April 2019

Spring walk: Plains, Schillhammer, Browns Trace

Photos of a mid April walk along Plains, Schillhammer and Browns Trace


No words required. 
Listen to your steps, breath, birds, breeze, trees                   
and your heart. 



Coltsfoot (not native to the U.S)











Bit of yellow on my five mile walk about Jericho. Most of the leaves are coming out green with apprehension, the yellow flowers have ear muffs on, the peepers are chillin as much as peeping, the pussy willows are thankful for the queen honeybees to help keep them warm. And I in my cap hurry home and settle my brain down for a long SPRING nap – hoping that when I awake, mud galoshes will no longer be needed in the backyard, and the wildflowers will not have drowned, and the thermometer will no longer profess a false spring.





Reading that you aren’t sure, I say with much more authority, I even declare that it is a Comma. Armed with newfound knowledge, I also pass on that Commas hibernate! That’s why they are so early. They’ve just been hiding in the leaves all winter. Those have a spring “litter” and their butterfly offspring putter around long enough to reproduce in the fall and their offspring will hibernate until next spring. Cool, eh? ~Sally

American Robin (Lecustic)