The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) has been working for the past week on a trail to get marsh walkers off of part of Whipple Hollow Road (the hill that overlooks the southern end of the marsh). They have built a bridge over a small stream, and laid some puncheon across a wet area leading to an overlook. We've also had great cooperation from the West Rutland town crew, who have mowed a path through a section of meadow.
When completed the trail will bypass a dangerous stretch of road for walkers, and allow us to get closer to a variety of habitats--hardwood and conifer forest, cedar swamp, and meadow. The VYCC crew should be working for another week or so, if you want to go out and have a look. If you park along Whipple Hollow Rd, please pull all the way off. The best parking is near the entrance to the former dump site, about a quarter mile north of the trail.
If you wish to contribute to this effort, you can make donations payable to Rutland County Audubon, PO Box 1813, Rutland, VT 05701, marked West Rutland Marsh trail.