In 2010, Willowell partnered with the Vermont Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department to conserve 109 acres of wetland and forest adjacent to Pond Brook in the Lewis Creek watershed. This project extends an important wildlife corridor between the Green Mountains and Lake Chaplain and serves as a living laboratory for area schools and community groups who wish to study wetland ecology.

An exciting part of the conservation project is the restoration of nine acres of marginal agricultural land to valley clayplain forest, a unique ecosystem found only in selected spots in the Champlain Valley. Since spring 2011, four Addison County schools and several community groups have helped with the restoration, planting native trees and shrubs, removing aggressive exotic species, and monitoring plant growth.

Visiting the wetland is a great way to learn about ecology, conservation, and natural history, and helping us restore the wetland is a wonderful service to the human and natural communities. If you are interested in visiting or getting involved, please contact us at info@willowell.org.