It may take as long as 15 years, or as little as 15 days, from the time when the Conservancy first approaches a landowner until a parcel of land is permanently protected. We work with willing landowners who may sell or donate the land outright or who may sell or donate a conservation easement to restrict development of the land.

All funds for conservation projects in Vermont are donated by members of the Vermont chapter, or those who have expressed a preference for conservation in the green mountain state.

Recent Land Protection Projects include:

Equinox Highlands, 312 acres, Manchester
Cathedral Woods, Equinox Highlands, 21 acres, Manchester
North Pawlet Hills, 285 acres, Pawlet
Black Mountain, 251 acres, Dummerston
Otter Creek Swamps, 178 acres, Whiting
Old Marsh Pond,39 acres, Fair Haven
Maidstone Bends, 71 acres, Maidstone
Turkey Mountain, 312 acres, Jamaica

Equinox Highlands, 312 acres, Manchester

With its lush forests of rich northern hardwood and its hiker appeal, this large parcel on Mount Equinox is central to the conservation campaign for the Equinox Highlands. After several years of negotiation with the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) of Manchester, a deal was reached to permanently protect thius unique forested parcel and ensure its long-term protection. There is a 1-mile  loop trail on the property that links up with the adjacent Equinox Preservation Trust trail system, making this an inviting place for visitors. The deal is slated for closure in summer, 2008, for a total project cost of $957,107 and already more than $200,000 has been raised.

Funds Needed: $752,107.

Cathedral Woods, Equinox Highlands, 21 acres, Manchester

Called “Cathedral Woods” for its towering canopy that shades the woods more than one-hundred and fifty feet above the forest floor. This is the oldest forest stand on Mount Equinox and some trees may be two-hundred years old. Ecologists are delighted to find such a fine example of mature rich northern hardwood forest which can serve as a reference site for the younger woods surrounding it.  Like the SVAC property above, this acquisition is part of a larger conservation vision to double the amount of protected land in the Equinox Highlands over the next five years. This project has just closed, for a total cost of $140,280.

Funds Needed: $140,280.

North Pawlet Hills, 285 acres, Pawlet

Amidst nearly 2,000 acres of unbroken forest in the Northern Taconic Mountains, the Conservancy’s North Pawlet Hills Natural Area with a recent 272-acre addition, now protects 739-acres. Third generation farmers, Homer and Cecil Brown wanted to see this land conserved “to keep it for wildlife and let the trees grow.”  This is the first parcel protected on the western side of the hill, and is home to nesting peregrine falcons, moose, bear, and bobcats. The total cost for the project is $456,201 and to date $382,000 has been raised.

Funds Needed: $74,201.

Black Mountain, 251 acres, Dummerston

Two recent closings at our Black Mountain Natural Area expanded this well-loved preserve to 583 acres. A large, natural, red pine forest community, habitat for the state endangered scrub oak, three-quarters of a mile of frontage on the West River and a notable pine-oak forest growing on a sandy river terrace are all now permanently protected. Total projects costs are $540,596 and to date $396,000 has been raised.

Funds Needed: $144,596.

Otter Creek Swamps, 178 acres, Whiting

An important stopover site for migratory waterfowl, the Otter Creek Swamp Complex spans 22,000 acres in Addison and Rutland counties. This 178-acre purchase protects a vital island in the swamp and an important maternity roost site for the federally endangered Indiana bat - which is facing perilous threats from white-nose syndrome. Total project costs are $243,352 and so far $125,500 has been raised.

Funds Needed: $117,852.

Turkey Mountain, 312 acres, Jamaica

Boasting a large example of red oak-northern hardwood forest, a mature hemlock stand, and frontage on both the West River and Cobb Brook,this parcel also connects Jamaica State Park and Hamilton Falls. Visiting hikers will now have even more opportunities to explore. Already $559,000 has been raised to meet costs of $640,868.

Funds Needed: $81,868.

Maidstone Bends, 71 acres, Maidstone

Along a 68-mile undammed stretch of the Connecticut River, are four dramatic bends, known as Maidstone Bends. Along their banks, floodplain forests still benefit from natural river flows. A recent purchase of 71 acres along more than a mile of river frontage will, overtime, be returned to floodplain forest to protect the river’s health and stability. Most of the $80,722 project costs must still be raised.

Funds Needed: $78,222.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Canopy in the Equinox Higlands © A.Blake Gardner; Rose Pogonia © TNC).