Four Winds Nature Institute

Four Winds is a volunteer-based nature education program that currently serves grades K-3 in Craftsbury Schools. Four Winds provides monthly training workshops for adult volunteers for each month's lesson, then volunteers coordinate with the classroom teacher to deliver the lessons to the class. This school year Four Winds is teaching 6 lessons in the Ecosystems theme with a focus on exploring connections in nature. Lessons are hands-on and incorporate both indoor and outdoor activities. Most recently, students learned about the three species of tree squirrels that live in Vermont and explored their similarities and differences through a puppet show, examining squirrel pelts and skulls, and mimicking squirrel behavior.

Four Winds is currently in need more volunteers and would love to expand to grades 4 and 5. If interested in volunteering email Beth Lebow at betsylebow@gmail.com

Craftsbury Schools Woodlot and Trails

The Craftsbury town woodlot allows our students to engage in outdoor learning a short distance from our school. Our school board provides transportation funding so our students are able to take advantage of this wonderful outdoor learning experience. Students and staff use this location for ecology studies, and other place based science opportunities.

View or Download the Woodlot Trails Map

View or Download the Woodlot Management Plan

Harvest Work and Partial Trail Closures at Craftsbury Schools Woodlot Begin January 25, 2023

This winter, students from the Green Mountain Technical Career Center (GMTCC) Forestry Program will be completing a harvest at the Craftsbury Academy Woodlot on Wylie Hill Road. Work began on Wednesday January 25, 2023. Students will be implementing the silvicultural prescription described within the CA Woodlot Forest Management Plan.

Students will be harvesting trees marked for removal with blue paint by the Orleans County Forester. Harvesting will be limited to the white pine plantation (described as Stand 1 in the Forest Management Plan). While students are working in the woods, several trails will be closed (including the Flat Path and the Big Loop beginning at the western edge of the boardwalk). Trail closures will be marked with flagging, and we ask that you please respect these trail closures and avoid walking in this area while students are working. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jared Nunery, Orleans County Forester at 802-595-5754 or via email at jared.nunery@vermont.gov.