TFW has also provided opportunities for exceptional students that include stipends for field work connected to the nature trail system, college scholarships, and paid internships for scientific research and field work including eradication of invasive plant species. Many of these students have gone on to work as professionals in the field of environmental education and/or conservation.
Trust For Wildlife has an on-going, multi-faceted commitment to provide hands-on nature education through classroom presentations, an American Chestnut demonstration planting, maintenance of the trail system, and upkeep of 60 bluebird and tree swallow nest boxes (all made by students in their shop class).
The Furnace Brook Sanctuary is located in Bennington, Vermont and covers 40 acres of forest and wetlands along the Furnace Brook, a class two trout stream, indicating that it is of the highest water quality. Many species of animals make use of the brook, including wood ducks, brook trout, mink, otters, and a great number of bird species that can be sighted on the property during both Northand south migratory seasons.
This sanctuary was acquired with the goal of adding preserved land to the 80 adjacent acres of nature trails owned and managed by the Mount Anthony Union Middle School (MAUMS). Trails on the school property are accessible to the public and have signage created by TFW that explains what one might encounter on a walk through the wooded area.
The forested land of this Sanctuary contains “ancient” trees and significant vernal pools, critical to breeding amphibians including wood frogs, spring peepers and spotted salamanders.
Hemlock trees hug the riparian areas close to Furnace Brook creating a very magical feeling as well as perfect habitat for bear, deer, and many small mammals and birds.
