Ecology and Geology of Vermont
Channel: ORCA Media
Date: 12/09/2017

Come learn about the history of Vermont land, presented by Eric Hanson, conservation biologist of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and coordinator of the Vermont Loon Conservation Project. Vermont is at the crossroads of several ecological regions from areas with oaks and black locust trees in the south to boreal forests in the northeast. Mr. Hanson will explain how various factors including soil and climate have influenced not only what we see on the landscape but how these factors have shaped the human settlement of the region over the past 300 years. Sponsored by Chimney Savers, this program is free. 

Since 1998, Eric Hanson has been the biologist for the Vermont Loon Conservation Project (VLCP), a program of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. He has conducted research on the Common Loon since 1992. His early work focused on banding loons to answer basic biological questions and assess toxicology concerns. Eric then received his M.S. degree at the University of Minnesota setting up a volunteer-based monitoring program for Minnesota’s 12,000 loons. His loon work in Vermont has focused on management around loon nest sites and education of lake users. He also teaches various ecology courses at Sterling College and for the Road Scholar program. In the winter months, he takes care of the cross-country ski trails at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.