Description
The Poultney River meanders 40 miles through several towns in west-central Vermont and New York, defining a portion of the border between these two states before it drains into the southern extent of Lake Champlain. The scenery marked by cliffs and wetlands along the river is dramatic and for nearly 20 miles the natural shoreline of the Poultney is rarely interrupted by development.
Why TNC Selected This Site
The cluster of significant terrestrial and aquatic sites in this largely undeveloped region of the Southern Lake Champlain Valley is a hotspot of biodiversity. New York State and the Adirondack Park Agency have recognized the ecological diversity of the Poultney River area, and the State of Vermont named the river an Outstanding Resource Water in 1992. TNC included the Poultney River as part of its Freshwater Initiative Program, which has targeted 50 waterways in North and South America for intensive conservation efforts.
What TNC is Doing
This preserve is part of the Southern Lake Champlain Valley (SLCV) landscape. TNC has protected more than 8,500 acres in the SLCV area in Vermont and New York. From their office in Poultney, TNC staff manage the preserve lands and provide opportunities for the community to participate in conservation-related activities.
