Courtesy of Vermont Woodlands Association
With its head safely at bay in a tube, a rattlesnake is handled by expert Doug Blodgett in order to research this endangered species that lives in Vermont.
Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. — RUTLAND — You are invited to the free Vermont Woodlands Association workshop, “Rattlesnakes In Vermont” offered on Thursday, July 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Green Mountain National Forest Office at 231 North Main Street in Rutland.
Did you know that Vermont actually hosts and harbors rattlesnakes? Doug Blodgett will discuss this reclusive but much-maligned and misunderstood reptile, and its unique contribution to Vermont’s native wildlife community. Blodgett will reveal some interesting results of his research on this endangered species and discuss the tough challenges it faces as well as the life history of this original Vermont native animal at the very northern end of its range in the continental U.S.
Doug Blodgett has been employed as a wildlife biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for 30 years. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively on game and non-game management programs as well as public and private land management programs. He was the Vermont Wild Turkey Project Team Leader from 1990-2010 and has also assisted on the black bear, deer, moose, furbearer and peregrine falcon research projects since 1984. Blodgett has travelled to Wyoming and Arizona to participate in ongoing mountain lion research programs in those states and has served as the Department’s investigator on the dozens of Vermont mountain lion sightings received annually from the public. Most recently, his professional interest has focused on reptiles and specifically, rare snake research in Vermont.
This is a free event sponsored by the Vermont Woodlands Association and Vt. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. To register, visit www.vermontwoodlands.org to download a form under “Walk in the Woods” and return to: Vermont Woodlands Association, PO Box 6004, Rutland, VT 05702-6004; call 802-747-7900, or email info@vermontwoodlands.org. Please register by July 13.
