The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Black bear in Vermont woods. © The Nature Conservancy

A tree to climb, a wilderness to explore. The Nature Conservancy works to conserve habitat.

Chartered in 1960, the Vermont Chapter has assisted in the protection of more than 183,000 acres of the state's most ecologically significant natural areas. We proudly marked our 50th anniversary in 2010 and have embarked on our next 50 years with the same enthusiasm and commitment that has defined our work in the state these past five decades.

The Nature Conservancy is different from most other conservation organizations and land trusts in that we acquire and manage our own system of natural areas — we have 54 natural areas that we own and manage in every county of the state. We select and steward our acquisitions based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. Many of our land acquisitions come as gifts, but most are purchased at appraised fair-market value.

Our conservation priorities are guided by a highly rigorous ecological inventory prepared by the Vermont Nongame and Natural Heritage Program, which gathers and analyzes information about Vermont's rare animals, plants, and natural communities. This program is part of a network of Heritage programs, which has completed ecological surveys for every state in the country.

Using these tools, we are working to protect Vermont's slice of the Earth's biological diversity — the richness and variety of life in all its forms.
Many of the places we have protected in the state are visitable natural areas. Freshwater priorities like Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River have multi-state programs focusing on applicable conservation strategies.

We also promote the protection and restoration of natural communities through programs such as the Champlain Valley Native Plant Restoration Nursery and Wise on Weeds!
For more information about the work and programs of the Vermont chapter send an e-mail to Vermont@tnc.org, or contact one of the Conservancy's staff or trustees in Vermont.