Nordic Farm (Earthkeep Farmcommon)

Location Charlotte, VT
Acreage 175
Protected Since 1997

A partnership with Audubon Vermont to restore native habitat for shrubland birds

When long-time dairy Nordic Farm changed hands in 2018, it also changed business models. The former dairy became a hub for innovative new ventures. Now part of the collective farm endeavor, Earthkeep Farmcommon, the farm is home to multiple farm businesses that together produce grain, produce, hemp, berries, flowers, compost, livestock, and shrimp.

The farm is one of several working with us to restore native habitat in wetlands, along streams, and in dormant fields. Here, we are focused on restoring habitat for shrubland birds whose populations are in decline.

We are documenting this multi-year project, plus holding volunteer days, and educational events in partnership with Audubon Vermont. Please reach out to VLT ecologist Allaire Diamond to learn more or to volunteer.

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Fall 2020: A field choked with invasive shrubs is tackled

The old cow pastures offered an ideal nesting habitat for declining shrubland birds, such as Golden- and Blue-winged Warblers, Eastern Towhees, and American Woodcocks.

Unfortunately, they were choked with invasive bush honeysuckle and European buckthorn. Nordic Farms’ new owners were eager to work with us to restore the fields for migratory bird nesting.

Look for the the yellow invasive bush honeysuckle in this “before” photo, taken in October 2020. This shrub chokes out native species and leaves no room for bird nesting.

Initial clearing of invasive shrubs complete

We received a grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Land Trust Grant Program to work with Audubon Vermont and contractor, Vermont Land Maintenance, to improve the shrubland bird habitat. Guided by the birds’ preferences, the team created islands of native shrubs by removing invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn.

In this “after” photo taken two days later, you can see that most of honeysuckle and buckthorn were cleared, leaving native dogwoods, viburnums, and red cedar.

20 Acres = Days of Hard Work

For five days, Brian Washburn and Scott Hansen from Vermont Land Maintenance used equipment fitted with forestry mulching heads to clear the dense invasives. This machinery reduced buckthorn trees to piles of orange woodchips in seconds. Their work spanned 20 acres!

Spring 2021: Volunteers plant 800 trees and shrubs

Volunteers converged on Nordic Farms in the spring on 2021. Together, they planted 800 trees! Volunteers came from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, ECO AmeriCorps, Vermont Land Trust, and the local community.

After cleaning the honeysuckle and buckthorn in the fall, the ground was covered with mulch. Beneath it, the soil was surprisingly easy to dig and ready to receive native plants.

Right plant, right place

Along the wetland and stream area, plants that tolerate wetter conditions such as arrowwood, winterberry, willow, red osier dogwood, American elm, and white pine were planted.

On the drier slopes above the stream, we planted red oaks, black cherries, paper birch, and serviceberry.

Shrubland birds' favorites were planted

And in the rocky former pasture areas where shrubland bird habitat is the goal, we planted shrubs that birds like Eastern Towhees and Golden-winged Warblers prefer for nesting. These included gray dogwood and nannyberry. We also planted some trees that will serve as perching sites. Birds like to nest in gray dogwood (shown) because its branch structure provides protection from predators. Its berries are also excellent forage.

Trees and shrubs were used to stabilize soil

Volunteers also focused on a series of small gullies that are eroding from farm fields into the wetland and stream area. They planted native trees in and along the gullies to stabilize them. We also added natural wood from the clearing to these gullies to trap eroding soil.

Volunteer Day 2021: Allaire Provides an Overview of the Planting Plan

Audubon bird banding

We think this is a great project — but don’t take our word for it! We were heartened by some avian supporters using this habitat that we had managed in hopes that they would come visit.

Mark LaBarr from Audubon Vermont has been banding birds on the site to study the how the populations use the land.

(photo courtesy of Jerry Lasky)

A warbler returns!

The the best moment was a recapture of a Blue-winged Warbler that we had banded last year just one field over.

This bird had wintered south of here – likely in Central America – and come back to fields that had been restored with shrubs it prefers. We hope we’ll see this bird again, and others like it.

Get involved

In coming seasons, these plants will need care to give them the best chances of success. We’ll likely call for volunteers to help keep the invasives down, clear around the planted trees, and possibly water them during dry spells.

Nordic Farm (Earthkeep Farmcommon)

A partnership with Audubon Vermont to restore native habitat for shrubland birds

Fall 2020: A field choked with invasive shrubs is tackled

Initial clearing of invasive shrubs complete

20 Acres = Days of Hard Work

Spring 2021: Volunteers plant 800 trees and shrubs

Right plant, right place

Shrubland birds' favorites were planted

Trees and shrubs were used to stabilize soil

Volunteer Day 2021: Allaire Provides an Overview of the Planting Plan

Audubon bird banding

A warbler returns!

Get involved

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Allaire Diamond

Allaire Diamond

Allaire Diamond

Allaire Diamond