New Preserve Safeguards Red Oaks on Sheridan Mountain

Guildhall, VT—30 November 2004—The Nature Conservancy announced today the creation of a new nature preserve in Vermont, following the acquisition of a 111-acre parcel of land on Sheridan Mountain, located in the town of Guildhall. This preserve protects the northernmost stand of red oak in the Connecticut River Valley, with many trees estimated to be over 120 years old.

"Locals have known for decades that we have a special place on our hands," said Brendan Whittaker, Brunswick resident and former Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. "I first saw this stand forty-four years ago when I became county forester. I’m delighted that the Nature Conservancy has chosen to protect it, there’s not another one like it between here and the arctic."

Located on the steep ridgelines west of the Connecticut River Valley, this special forest of red oaks is growing at the northern extreme of its range, and provides ecologists with an incredible opportunity to study the natural processes at work. Over the last 150 years every known stand of red oak in Vermont has been disturbed for the sake of high quality oak timber. The steep and rocky slopes of Sheridan Mountain have helped to protect this particular stand.

Red oaks this far north thrive on rocky slopes with warm, southern exposure. This stand of oaks is surrounded by beech trees, and both species produce nut crops that support local wildlife such as black bear, red squirrel and wild turkey. Periodically a spike in nut production, called masting, attracts wildlife from outlying areas. Scientists are exploring whether mast production is a result of variations in the weather, or is designed to increase the chance of seeds taking root.

This 111-acre acquisition, purchased from the Trust for Public Land, and an adjacent 11.8 acre parcel acquired in 2002, will be owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy as its 43^rd nature preserve. The Conservancy manages a statewide preserve system that includes Mount Equinox, LaPlatte River Marsh, Eshqua Bog, and Little Averill Lake.

The Vermont Chapter recently published a guide to its natural areas and projects in Vermont, charting the history of the organization since its inception in 1960. In that time the Conservancy has protected more than 167,000 acres, completing over 500 separate land protection projects. This includes acreage transferred to public agencies, such as the VT Fish and Wildlife Department and the Green Mountain National Forest, in cooperative agreements to conserve some of the state’s most popular natural areas including the Green River Reservoir, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge and Camel’s Hump State Park.

Donations from public and private sources funded the establishment of the Sheridan Mountain preserve, including the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Barakat Foundation and members of the Nature Conservancy’s Vermont Chapter.

Since 1986 the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board has provided key funding for the conservation work of non-profit organizations, communities, and state government agencies. Barakat Inc is a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing educational opportunities for ethnic communities, and supporting habitat conservation initiatives in the Americas and Asia.

The, ‘Guide to the Nature Conservancy’s Natural Areas and Projects in Vermont,’ highlights 19 preserves which are accessible by the public either on foot or in a canoe. For more information on where to enjoy the outdoors please contact the Conservancy at (802) 229-4425 ext 100.