Lewis Creek Association’s Mountains to Mouth: An Exploration of the Watershed
Celebrating Monkton in 2025
Saturday, October 18th
LCA’s Annual Party will explore the watershed from Mountains to Mouth, celebrating the natural, cultural, and landscape history of Monkton. Join friends and neighbors for all or part of the day.
Location: Monkton Town Hall (92 Monkton Ridge) and other locations
In the morning (8-11 AM), field trips will be led by experts to explore the geology, history, and wildlife of Monkton, and a landscape painting class will be offered. Registration required for field trips and painting.
The afternoon will begin at Monkton Town Hall, with lunch and remarks from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (lunch and refreshments provided or bring a picnic).
From 1:00 - 3:00 PM, enjoy children's activities and learn about pollinator gardens, local history, best management practices on lake/stream side properties, and aquatic invasive species in local ponds at Monkton Town Hall. We hope you can join us!
Morning Field Trip Information and Sign-Ups (click on the name of the field trip to get additional information and sign up):
Monkton Town Forest Nature Walk – 8:00 AM
Join LCA’s Kate Kelly and Ali Wagner of Green Mountain Audubon Society on a morning nature walk in the new Monkton Town Forest. Keep your eyes and ears open as you look for the birds, amphibians, and reptiles found in the area, learn about the Central Ratsnake, and identify plants and trees.
Landscape Painting with Neil Berger at Raven Ridge Natural Area – 8:45 AM
In this painting class at the edge of a beaver pond, Artist Neil Berger will share his perspective on landscape painting, the general principles of painting, being in nature, finding subject matter, and technique.
Bedrock Geology & Mining/Processing History of the Kaolin Deposits in Monkton Town Forest – 9:00 AM
Join Geologist Craig Heindel on a geological tour of the "Monkton kaolinite" deposit and its mining history. We will start at Monkton Town Hall for a view of Hinesburg Hollow, and a brief geological history of the Champlain Valley. We will then carpool to visit the kaolin clay deposit at the Monkton Town Forest to view it up close and learn more about how it was formed.
Settlement History & Development of the Monkton Town Forest – 9:00 AM
Join Samantha Ford of Turn Stone Research and Monkton Town Forest Committee Member, Callie Brynn, to learn about the historical human settlement patterns of the area, including cellar holes and iron works, and how the new Monkton Town Forest came to be. You’ll learn how to look for clues on the landscape to help tell the story of the land.
Canoe & Kayak Trip on Bristol Pond (Winona Lake) - 9:00 AM
Join Vermont Master Naturalists, Cindy Sprague and Brett Towle, for a brief discussion about the bedrock and glacial geology of the area along with some hands on demonstrations, then hop in a kayak or canoe and go out on the Pond to discover the unique soils and vegetation. We will also look for Sand Hill Cranes as well as other birds and critters. We will wrap up with a discussion about how the amphibians and reptiles that live in or near the Pond survive the winter. Bring your own boat, paddle, PFD, & binoculars!
Field Trip to the Monkton Wildlife Crossings – 10:00 AM
Join Monkton resident and wildlife biologist, Steve Parren, for a close up look at the internationally recognized Monkton Wildlife Crossings. Learn more about the salamanders and other animals that use the crossings, the extensive data collection and research undertaken before & after construction, and the community involvement, including the role of the Monkton Conservation Commission and town, that it took to make them happen.
Afternoon Details:
11:30 AM Arrival
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch and Remarks by LCA, including results from LCA’s 2025 Boat Launch Steward program; Presentation from Samantha Ford, Turn Stone Research
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Activities, displays, and tours at the Monkton Town Hall:
Learn more about the Town Hall Pollinator Gardens with Liz Paquette
Visit the Monkton Museum & Historical Society exhibits with Lauren Kelley Parren
Learn more about the Little Hogback Community Forest
Learn more about how to become a LakeWise Property
View the morning’s landscape paintings
Enjoy Kids’ activities with Chloe Lara Russack from The Sparrow Project
Painting - "LaPlatte Sycamore" 20 x 28", watercolor, 2021 by Neil Berger