A stunning view from Gile Tower in Norwich

Fall is officially here, and so is the foliage!

Fall is a time when the species composition of forests is expressed in bright color. The summer forest is shades of green, but as days get shorter and trees stop making chlorophyll, underlying pigments of yellow and orange are revealed.

The sequence begins with “the poor, unhealthy leaves that had a rough summer...” observes Former VT parks commissioner, Mike Snyder, in a podcast with Happy Vermont’s, Erica Houskeeper. They go "in this pale, dusky, muted way.” Once those leaves are gone, he says, the real show begins. “There’s still a lot of green left, and that green starts to change in much more vibrant, distinctive ways."

The timing and intensity of the colors depend on the weather each year, but in general, birch and poplars kick off the show with bright yellow leaves. Sumac also adds color early, turning brilliant red, often before many of the larger trees.

Maples usually start changing next, showing red, orange, and yellow. Maples make a special pigment called anthocyanin, which can turn the leaves red or purple. This happens when the weather is sunny during the day and cool at night. When chlorophyll breaks down in the fall, and conditions are right, the tree starts producing anthocyanin to help protect the leaves from damage by light and to allow the tree to recover nutrients before the leaves drop.

Oaks and beeches are slower to change and may turn later in the fall, with leaves turning brown or bronze. In fact, pale yellow beech leaves may hang on into winter, providing spots of color among gray trunks and limbs, long after all other leaves have fallen.

Curious where the best and brightest colors are? Check out the foliage maps below:

NH Fall Foliage Tracker

VT Fall Foliage Tracker



Looking for some local hiking recommendations? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Smith Pond Shaker Forest (either from Smith Pond or from Half Mile Pond)
• Morey Mountain (great viewpoint both southerly and northerly along the Ct River)
• Lone Oak Trail (view southerly down the CT river where the Wells River and Ammonoosuc River enter)
• Mountain View (looking up at Smarts and Cube).

What's Happening at UVLT

Land Management at Up on the Hill

Summer activities at UVLT’s Up on the Hill Conservation Area included end-of-season mowing of grassland habitat, clearing of swales that protect productive agricultural land and maintenance of vegetation necessary to protect the dam and pond. Now we are preparing a 6-acre project that will replace invasive species with tree species that are suited to changing climate conditions. “Assisted migration” can help forests adapt to climate change.

Our work at Up on the Hill is supported by the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to implement conservation practices that improve natural resources on their land. 



The project will begin with tree cutting in an area where invasive species are prevalent. Next, we’ll treat the invasive species. Later, selected species will be planted and monitored.

A colorful view at the top of Wright's Mountain!

Land Acquisition will Benefit Bradford’s

Wright’s Mountain

On October 2, Vermont’s Housing and Conservation Board will vote on a grant application to support UVLT’s acquisition of 61 acres located off Route 25 and Wrights Mountain Road in Bradford. Identified by the Bradford Conservation Commission as a priority for conservation, the property contains tributaries of the Waits River and will provide a significant enhancement to the resiliency of the Wrights Mountain/Devils Den forest conservation area. UVLT’s ownership will provide an opportunity to improve trailhead access from Route 25. The initiative has also won support from the Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program. If approved, the purchase will be completed in 2025.

**JOIN US TONIGHT - Tuesday, October 1!**

Biodiversity and White-tailed deer:

Landowners and Hunters Can Work Together

Hanover’s Conservation Commission and its Biodiversity Committee, joined by 20 partners, including UVLT, are bringing together hunters and landowners for a conversation about managing the deer population. When deer are too numerous, they can overgraze plants and prevent forest regeneration. Deer eat young hardwoods, but not invasive species like buckthorn and barberry. This is becoming a serious problem in parts of the Upper Valley.

On October 1, staff from NH Fish and Game will be on hand to answer questions and describe programs to support landowners and hunters. This is an opportunity for landowners to learn about research into deer impacts and how to meet and work with responsible hunters. Hanover participates in NH’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) run by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to help landowners manage local deer populations on their properties. The program is designed to address issues such as deer overpopulation, which can lead to damage to vegetation, crops, and forests, and to support healthy deer management practices.

Through DMAP, landowners can receive permits that allow hunters to harvest additional deer on their property beyond the regular hunting limits. This helps balance the local deer population to reduce environmental impacts. DMAP also gathers data on deer populations and health in various regions of the state. The program is mainly used by large landowners or groups of landowners who want to manage deer on their lands in collaboration with wildlife officials.

NH Hunting Season Information and Dates

VT Hunting Season Information and Dates

September Wrap-Up: Celebrating Our Amazing Events!

We’re thrilled to reflect on two incredible events that brought our community together last month! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and if you missed out, don’t worry—both events are annual, so mark your calendars for 2025!

Join us for Fall Paddle the Border!

Sunday, October 6, 2024

FROM NEWBURY BOAT LAUNCH (Next to Haverhill/Newbury Bridge) to

BUGBEE LANDING (Next to the Bradford Golf Course) 

The Paddle The Border (PTB) event was started as a way for community organizations from Vermont and New Hampshire to work together to showcase our shared asset, the Connecticut River.

EVENT includes:

• FREE Shuttle Service (for persons and personal equipment only) from Bradford to Newbury available from 10:00 -11:00 AM
• Music by Strawberry Farm Band
• BBQ Lunch at Bugbee Landing
• All participants must abide by safe boating rules and regulations

EVENT SPONSORED and SUPPORTED BY: 

• Haverhill Parks and Recreation Commission  
• Newbury Conservation Commission 
• Cohase Chamber of Commerce 
• Butler’s Bus Service 
• Bradford Conservation Commission  
• Upper Valley Land Trust
• Upper Valley Trails Alliance 

For Further Information Contact Mike Thomas (802) 757-3960 or email mikethom1@charter.net 

View from Cottonstone Mountain

Join us for a hike at Cottonstone!

Saturday, October 12 ( rain date – October 13) | 10 AM

Orford, New Hampshire**

Curious about the name Cottonstone? Join the Upper Valley Land Trust and the Orford Conservation Commission for a special hike up this prominent peak in the Connecticut River Valley!

We’ll explore the origin of this intriguing name while soaking in stunning views of the river, including the iconic Fairlee/Orford Bridge. Along the way, we’ll take breaks to discover the natural wonders that make this hike truly special.

Get ready for a steep climb! We’ll gain 800 feet in elevation on a network of wooded roads, leading us to one of the spectacular vistas along the ridge. The hike is approximately 3 miles long and will take about 3 hours in total.

We Know You Love the Upper Valley. We Do Too.

Become a part of the conservation solution and DONATE and/or VOLUNTEER today!