Project Proposal

This investigation will look at a sugaring operation in southern Vermont and the ecological and social factors influenced by the farm with an emphasis on hydrology. We chose Sidelands Sugarbush, a large-scale operation in Westminster, VT as the focus of this study. There are many operations available to study in Vermont, however, we chose Sidelands due to its size and its primary economic dependence on sugaring. Dan Crocker, the owner and operator, uses top of the line equipment and techniques to maximize his harvest so Sidelands will be a good example of major syrup producers.

We will examine what role the farm plays in the local community and how sap collection and management of the forest affects the ecosystem. We have come up with a few questions to help us explore this issue:

1) How does the monoculture of sugar maples affect the hydrology, ecosystem and water systems in the immediate and surrounding areas?

2) Are there immediate or long-term effects on the environment from the operations of a sugarbush?

3) Does the sugar production have any ecological effects?

4) Is there any clear-cutting of old growth forests involved?

5) How does the hydrology of a sugarbush affect the growth of trees and the production of sap?

6) What are the production costs of the equipment needed to perform sugaring?

7) How does the community benefit from the sugarbush?