MONTPELIER, Vt. — One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day.
North America's native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table.
Originally found only in the wild, turkeys now exist as meat-producing domesticated varieties -- the broad breasted white, broad breasted bronze, white Holland, bourbon red, and a host of other breeds – all of them descended from our native wild turkey.
More than 140,000 servings of Vermont wild turkeys are harvested each year – that's 140,000 servings of free-ranging, wild and sustainably harvested protein.
Wild turkeys exist throughout Vermont today, but that was not always the case. Wild turkeys disappeared from Vermont in the mid-to-late 1800s due to habitat destruction when land was cleared for farming and only 25 percent of the state was covered by forest.
The wild turkeys we see in Vermont today originated from just 31 wild turkeys stocked in Southwestern Vermont by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in 1969 and 1970. Vermont's forest habitat was once again capable of supporting turkeys. State wildlife biologists moved groups of these birds northward, and today Vermont's population of turkeys is estimated at close to 50,000.
This is just one of many wildlife restoration success stories we can be thankful for in 2024. Funding for Vermont's wild turkey restoration was derived from the sale of hunting licenses and a federal tax on hunting equipment.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
SVMC Primary Care Offices Recognized for Patient-Centered Care
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Five primary care sites of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, have achieved national recognition for providing personalized, effective, and efficient care.
The following medical practices, located in Vermont, have been re-designated as Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA):
SVMC Northshire Campus
Deerfield Valley Health Center
Pownal Campus
SVMC Internal Medicine
SVMC Pediatrics
The national designation recognizes SVMC's practice sites for providing comprehensive care and follow-up, in addition to a number of preventative and wellness screenings.
"Each of SVMC's practice sites follow a stringent set of guidelines that allows our staff to meet the criteria and ensures our providers, clinical and support staff give every primary care patient the care and follow-up they need, as well as options and appropriate screenings for a multitude of concerns," said Tina Gallant, CMPE, director of SVMC's Primary Care Medical Practices. "It's also a testament to the importance of our Community Health Team members who provide our patients with nurse case management, certified diabetic education and mental health and social services."
According to NCQA, research shows that PCMHs improve quality and the patient experience, and increase staff satisfaction—while reducing health care costs. The PCMH program identifies practices that promote partnerships between individual patients and their personal clinicians. A team of doctors, nurses, and other allied health providers oversees each patient's care, ensuring health needs are coordinated across the health care system.
Practices must resubmit for consideration every year. SVMC's Twin Rivers Medical office, located in New York, falls under a different evaluation system, separate from the NCQA guidelines.
"National recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home is an outstanding accomplishment by the staff, doctors, and advanced practice providers at our primary care practices," said Trey Dobson, MD, SVMC Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services. "As we continue to focus on primary care provider recruitment and expanding access to our rural communities, this and similar awards demonstrate SVMC's commitment to exceptional health care."
Monument Mountain's Everett Pacheco took control of the race in the final mile and went on to a convincing Division 3 State Championship on Saturday at Fort Devens. click for more
Mila Marcisz ripped a shot from the top of the 18 that slipped just under the swing of teammate Adele Low and past the Mustangs keeper in the fourth minute of the second overtime to give Mount Greylock a 1-0 win. click for more
Mount Greylock dominated for much of the game, compiling a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal, not to mention numerous Mountie chances that went just wide or high of frame. click for more
Nora Schoeny, Gianna Love and Elyssa Scrimo Sunday led the Lenox girls cross country team to a narrow victory in the Division 2 race at the Western Massachusetts Championships at Stanley Park. click for more