Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
BURLINGTON — People played in fresh snowdrifts, nibbled free food and met a screech owl named Miami at Sunday’s Wintervale.
The annual event in Burlington’s Intervale on Feb. 22 attracted participants outfitted in puffy coats and warm hats to celebrate winter and urban natural areas.
Located along the Winooski River as it bends to Lake Champlain, the Intervale Center sits on over 360 acres of reclaimed farmland. Historically, it was an agricultural area but for many years served as an official and unofficial dump before being cleaned up in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Intervale is now home to small organic farming operations, community garden plots, trails and natural areas just a few miles from downtown Burlington. The nonprofit Intervale Center supports community involvement and local, sustainable agriculture.
On Sunday, the Intervale was covered in snow but that did not stop community partners from sharing information at tables set up on the property. For Burlington Wildways volunteer Zoe Richards, Wintervale is a great opportunity to show off the parks found in and around the city.
“This event allows us to advocate for the value of natural areas in Burlington and encourage people to get out there,” Richards said.
Her table distributed maps of Burlington’s wild places and stickers. Next to her was a table covered in common animal pelts, including a striped skunk and a red fox. At another table, participants could learn about the Lake Champlain Basin Program and read materials about aquatic invasive species and the general health of the lake.
Other activities, like a chili cookoff, guided walks and s’more making, allowed people of all ages to participate in Wintervale. Attendees could borrow or bring their skis and snowshoes to traverse the trails weaving through the Intervale.
Avian rather than athletic fun was the biggest draw for some of the Winterfesters. An Eastern screech owl from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) entertained festival goers with intense stares and hungry squawks. An American kestrel also attended.
“I really just wanted to see the raptors,” said Hope Scalise, a Wintervale attendee. “It was the biggest draw for me.”
Miami, the screech owl on display, is unsuitable to be returned to the wild due to his right eye being fully blind. He sat and stared at all the guests, squawking for food.
With free admission and donations from partners, such as the Skinny Pancake and Lake Champlain Chocolates, Wintervale is an affordable event designed to celebrate nature and community.
“Wintervale brings together all these community partners and lets people get out on the trails,” said Chelsea Somerville, Intervale Center events manager. “It’s able to provide free food and celebrate winter. Overall, it’s a low barrier event, which allows for a beautiful gathering of the community.”
Events like Wintervale come as more and more green space is lost to suburban and urban development. An estimated 6,000 acres of open space are lost per day according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Community and natural spaces are vital, especially in cities. According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, these spaces, especially natural spaces, increase a sense of community and social activity. Natural spaces and time spent outdoors have also been correlated to positive impacts on physical and mental health, according to various studies.
The Intervale Center’s mission includes forging a strong connection between people and their food systems, aiming for a future where there can be healthy, local, and sustainable food for all people.
Wintervale provided opportunities to more closely connect with the Intervale as a natural area with programs like a winter tree identification walk, guided cross-country ski and family-friendly activities including making pinecone bird feeders.
“It’s a great way to connect with the community,” Somerville said.