The northern Green Mountains are a key linkage area in the
Staying Connected Initiative. Habitat connectivity needs vary,
depending on the species. The Staying Connected Initiative and
the local Hawk Hill Committee arranged a series of walks and
talks last winter and spring called Discovering Hawk Hill. Here,
field trip leader Helen Mango explains the influence of geology
to some of the youngest participants. Hawk Hill is 230 acres of
conserved land in Brandon that is owned by Otter Valley Union
High School and managed by the Hawk Hill Committee of school,
town and citizen representatives who consider the land a key
area for wildlife. Hawk Hill is part of a wildlife corridor
connecting the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks. Now a place
of forests and trails, it was once a thriving community. Staying
Connected Linkage Coordinator Monica Erhart leads a wildlife
walk at Hawk Hill on a chilly February day. Finding a path for
wildlife: From left, Chuck Dominie of the Poultney-Mettowee
Conservation District, Kath