PANORAMAViews from the forest and the field Spring 2021

The People of a Place Reconnecting with Wantastegok page 6

In this issue 2 Letter from the president 11 Inspired volunteers 3 The power of dirt 12 Banking on clean water 5 Too many deer? 13 Update: Kingdom Trails 6 The people of a place 14 Recent projects 8 A walk in the woods 16 Upcoming events 10 Conserved timberlands 2 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 3

Marc and Cheryl Cesario with their daughter, Normandie, are committed to From the President | Nick Richardson farming practices that keep soil healthy. Soil, a fascinating and The Vermont Land Trust is a private, essential ingredient nonprofit, member-supported land Overcoming Obstacles, Good dirt nurtures vegetables and conservation organization that has livestock because it’s full of minerals worked with families, communities, and beneficial bacteria. Each handful farmers, and forestland owners since Together harbors billions of small organisms 1977 to conserve nearly 600,000 acres. that interact with larger animals For inquiries about our publications, and our atmosphere to break down please contact [email protected]. nutrients and enable plants to root We have offices around the state, The arrival of spring, while always joyful, deeply and thrive. Healthy soil boosts listed below. Direct phone numbers for feels more so this year. Yes, I’m tired of the crops, filters water, and stores water individual staff members can be found pandemic and the mud, but this April feels a during droughts and floods. at vlt.org/contact or call our main office at (802) 223-5234. Our Board little more hopeful. After months of isolation But good soil isn’t a given. As we of Trustees is listed at vlt.org/trustees. and uncertainty, the light at the end of the learn more about how soil functions, tunnel shines brighter. Optimism pulls we better understand the benefits me forward. HEADQUARTERS and the risks. Loss of organic matter 8 Bailey Avenue This past winter, dozens of Vermonters and soil structure can diminish farm Montpelier, VT 05602 descended upon the virtual statehouse to output, lessen its capacity to retain (802) 223-5234 reaffirm the importance of state funding for water, and increase erosion. [email protected] housing and conservation. Among them were “We are beginning to understand Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of CHAMPLAIN VALLEY that soil quality is a really important P.O. Box 850 the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation and farmers Clara Ayer, Katie Rose Leonard, focus as the climate is changing,” said Richmond, VT 05477 and Stephanie Pope, all of whom spoke about the challenges of 2020 and Heather Darby, an agronomic and (802) 434-3079 the support they received from VLT and partner organizations. soils specialist at UVM Extension. I was struck by something Stephanie Pope said about the farm business “The function of soil can help us KING FARM consultant she was able to work with, thanks to the Vermont Housing & 128 King Farm Road through the tough times, mitigate Woodstock, VT 05091 Conservation Board. “She wasn’t just a life saver, she was a farm saver,” nutrient losses, feed the world, and (802) 457-2369 said Stephanie. During dark times, we pulled together and supported slow down climate change.” one another. NORTHEAST KINGDOM This generosity and resolve was true for many foresters, farmers, and Growing healthy 171 Scott Farm Road landowners I spoke with this year. At the Knoll Farm in Fayston, in the soil in Vermont Newport, VT 05885 (802) 748-6089 midst of compounding crises—COVID, violence against black people, In Vermont, farmers are heeding the and political turmoil—Peter The Power of Dirt call. Many are learning more about SOUTHERN VERMONT Forbes and Helen Wybrow “Vermonters are relentless in how to produce food and improve 54 Linden Street opened their farm as a free Farmers explore soil-friendly practices soil at the same time. Brattleboro, VT 05301 refuge for hundreds of social overcoming obstacles.” (802) 251-6008 change leaders. At Cheryl and Marc Cesario’s farm in By Rachel Mullis Cornwall, cattle and sheep graze on Vermonters are relentless in overcoming obstacles. When this pandemic Notice: At the time of printing, all pastures with lush grasslands a foot began, I asked the question, will this experience make us stronger as a offices are closed for public health deep. The animals fertilize the field community? My suspicion was yes. Fourteen months later, when I look Judging by some common phrases, Hancock, an ecologist at Bio-Logical reasons and staff are working dirt is a bad thing: we talk of a dirty Capital who is focused on soil and with manure and trample the soil, remotely from home offices. at all we have done and all we have given to one another, that hope is which seeds new grass. The Cesarios becoming reality. house or a dirty little secret. “We plant health. From a global perspective, think of dirt like a rock: an inanimate dirt pulls carbon dioxide out of the use temporary fencing and move the object we put things into, dig up, or air. It fosters 99 percent of the world’s cattle to another area until the grass cover up. But really, it’s the lifeblood food and close to half of our oxygen. grows back. of all we see and need,” said Lilly Without it, none of us would be here. (Continued on p.4) 4 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 5

(Continued from p.3) Raising the alarm about deer “We benefit from healthy, productive “If you figure out how to overbrowsing our woods is difficult livestock, which keeps our vet and store carbon and excess though, as people need to see its labor costs down,” said Cheryl. impact. The fence we built that cold Their soil-friendly practices could soil and water, that’s a winter day is an attempt to do this. also improve water quality in the real public benefit.” In a few growing seasons, we Lake Champlain Basin. “Increasing —VLT’s Tyler Miller expect that the little trees will organic matter by just one percent have matured and grown, in stark retains 27,000 gallons of water per contrast to the woods outside acre. That’s water that’s not running Along with others in the state and the 100-square-meter area. This off into the watershed,” Marc added. beyond, VLT is looking into the exclosure will become one of many, impact of widespread adoption And, because of increased moisture in as a grant from the US Forest of soil-friendly practices and how the soil, “our pastures held out a lot Service is supporting a partnership Photo: Tom Slayton to compensate farmers. In the longer during last year’s dry summer,” between VLT, the Department of meantime, innovative farmers are Forests, Parks and Recreation, Marc explained. Dairy farmer Guy Choiniere is exploring exploring what’s possible—for their and UVM Extension to build “Farms that have been using soil-friendly practices—for his enterprise, enterprises and the planet. exclosures on community forests regenerative practices for decades, and for the planet. “Educate yourself about soil. Realize across Vermont. their grass is so lush they can be that it’s a living, breathing thing,” in the middle of a drought and “The real challenge is that it requires At the King Farm, the exclosure said Guy. “When you think about grazing their animals,” agreed Sam a longer timeline to see a return on went up relatively easily, despite it that way, you might look at it Jack Minich ties flags onto fences to keep deer out of a demonstration plot Smith, Farm Business Director at the investment.” Most setups require temporarily losing tools in the differently.” at VLT’s King Farm in Woodstock. Intervale Center. more land. And for enterprises snow. Adorned with bits of flagging to make the chicken wire visible Dairy farmer Guy Choiniere echoed like vegetable farms, the manual to deer and other animals, the the sentiment, quoting his mentor labor required to hoe, hand-weed, VLT is partnering with UVM and exclosure isn’t pretty, but it serves and farming pioneer Jack Lazor, who and manage pests naturally can be Bio-Logical Capital to study the impact, Too Many Deer? a purpose. In addition to raising recently passed away: “The soil knows prohibitive. costs, and benefits of soil-friendly farm practices.This work is supported by awareness, it will help us gather what to do. If you respect the soil, it “If you figure out how to store carbon Looking into the impact of the deer population the Conservation Innovation Grants data on plant growth that will will take care of you.” and excess soil and water, that’s a program at USDA’s Natural Resources on a Woodstock forest support a statewide effort to look real public benefit,” said VLT’s Tyler Guy transitioned to organic pastures Conservation Service. at this important issue. We look Miller. “But that isn’t a service that By Jack Minich, VHCB AmeriCorps Coordinator in 2005 and started his cows on a forward to reporting the results farmers are compensated for, and grass diet 10 years later. He and his Visit vlt.org/healthy-soil back to our members. they’re already in a really tough son monitor and adapt the cows’ to learn more. On a cold December morning, I drove with Pieter van Loon, VLT forester, business.” grazing, moving them from time to a high pasture above the King Farm—a historic farm VLT owns in Exclosures, like this one at Valley Forge to time to allow the soil to recover. Woodstock. In the side mirror, I eyed the green fence posts threatening to National Historical Park, Pennsylvania, They have planted flowers to attract Many Vermont farms are adapting their grazing practices for the sake of the soil. spill out over the tailgate as we climbed the rough track. After arriving at can show how too many deer prevent new pollinators. They also planted trees the hilltop, we began hauling the fencing materials—posts, chicken wire, trees from growing in our woods. along riverbanks to support clean flagging, and stakes—into the sugar maple stand where we were to build a water, and in their pastures for shade deer exclosure. and to attract birds, which keeps the fly population in check. Deer exclosures are fences that keep deer out. Gardeners have long used them to prevent deer from devouring the season’s harvest. However, they The value of healthy soil can also show how too many deer prevent new trees from growing in our woods. This over-consumption reduces the survival rate of tree saplings, Farmers understand the benefits of which are typically preferred by, and in reach of, hungry deer. Put simply, improving their soil, but it is often a this “overbrowsing” inhibits forests’ ability to regenerate in a healthy way. long-term investment financially. Overbrowse in the maple stand at King Farm has resulted in a park-like view “The entry cost for regenerative in the woods: tall, mature sugar maples tower above, but the next generation agriculture is comparable to of trees resemble bonsai plants. Deer nibble and strip the buds, forcing the conventional farming,” said Sam. young trees to grow oddly and remain stunted and close to the ground. Photo: Little Outdoor Giants At Shire Beef in Vershire, Vermont 6 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 7 Photo: David Middleton Photo: David

to the region. One of the four bands recognized thus far in this process is the Elnu Protecting The People of a Place Abenaki Tribe, centered toward the southeast, along the Kwenitekw (Connecticut Wantastegok River) and its western tributaries. They have begun the long, deliberate process of Reconnecting with Wantastegok VLT is honored to support the reconnecting with the Land, which is the foundation of cultural self-identification. Elnu Abenaki in conserving By Rich Holschuh Critical to this mission is sharing their stories with the larger society, most of whom an important piece of land are little aware of how the current situation became the status quo—which is, in in Wantastegok/Brattleboro. itself, a truth worth learning. “…the [Abenaki] chiefs from Saint-François and Bécancour went to Quebec We hold title to this land on to complain to Vaudreuil. Atecouando addressed the governor, setting forth his people’s As part of this effort, Elnu has recently partnered with Brattleboro’s Retreat Farm their behalf and partner with aversion to leaving the land where their ancestors were buried.” * to create the Atowi Project, a public interface for outreach and capacity-building. Elnu on land stewardship as Retreat Farm has already worked extensively with VLT, having a similar mission the tribe deems appropriate. of reconnecting community with landscape. With VLT, Elnu has begun to affirm The concept of indigeneity signifies a duality, meaning “the people of a place” For instance, we are working their own goals here in Wantastegok—the traditional name for the confluence —they are part and parcel, the same thing. Reciprocally, they define each other together to reduce invasive of the Wantastekw/West and Kwenitekw/Connecticut Rivers. A small parcel in a dance of ever-shifting relationships. Indigeneity co-creates ways of being plants and promote native of highly significant riverfront land has been secured and conserved, and other and knowing that are informed by intimate experience through deep time. The plants (especially species priorities are being actively established. people recognize that they belong to the land which sustains them, rather than of traditional cultural owning it as separable subject and object. In a very real way—expressing the significance), and to create conservation of energy and matter—the land (and one’s ancestors within it) Renewing community in place an outdoor gathering space makes up oneself, and the larger community of “all our relations.” It is Elnu’s intention that they—with the allyship and support of friends and for the community. Most of what is known today as Vermont constitutes a part of Ndakinna, the neighbors in the larger community—will be able to share truth, help heal the traditional homelands of the indigenous group known as the Abenaki, a part separations, and begin to restore vital relationships, in the seasons to come. Now of the larger Wabanaki peoples of the northeast. They have been continuously that we are all here, with a growing, shared sense of how we can choose to do If you’d like to Rich Holschuh is a resident of present, with their ancestors, in this landscape and on its waters for thousands better, we welcome you to join in learning and uplifting Native voices, bringing learn more, visit Wantastegok (Brattleboro) and a of years. Although the ongoing process of colonization, by which this continent honor and respect to the Land from which we are gifted life. atowi.org historical and cultural researcher. was settled, has destroyed and displaced many (if not most), the Abenaki have Kchi wliwni—with great thanks. elnuabenakitribe.org He has served on the Vermont persisted and are still here, in their homeland. Commission on Native American Affairs and is a public liaison and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer The Elnu Abenaki in southeast Vermont A guide to Abenaki words in Rich’s essay for the Elnu Abenaki. Rich is founder Not very long ago, the State of Vermont at last began to grapple with these realities Ndakinna | en DAH kee nah | Abenaki name for their traditional homelands, literally "our land" and director of the Atowi Project. and in 2010 the legislature passed a bill acknowledging the Abenaki as indigenous Kchi wliwni | kih TSEE oo LEE oo nee| literally “with great thanks” Kwenitekw | KWEH nee took (w)* | the , literally "long flow" Wantastegok | wahn TAHS teh gock | the location of the West River, i.e., Brattleboro, literally "at the river where something is lost" *Atecouando, a chief and renowned orator of the Abenaki tribe of Saint-François-de-Sales (now Odanak, an Abenaki First Nations Wantastekw | WAHN tahs took (w)* | the West River, literally "the river where something is lost" reserve in Quebec, Canada), in protest to Governor Vaudreuil of New France at the suggestion that his people remove to the Ohio Wôbanaki | wohn BAH nah kee | original form for Abenaki, literally "dawn land" River valley; Summer, 1757. (Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. III) *note: the ending w is a little voiceless breath 8 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 9

A Walk in the Woods, TROUT LILY Trout lily gets its name, we think, from the mottled leaves that look a with Liz and Allaire little like a brook trout. Or is it because it blooms when the trout are running? I caught this bee approaching a trout lily flower last spring, Spring. That first smell of earth, a welcome whisper of warm air, looking for nectar. It didn’t seem to mind a little beetle that was sitting the subtle brightening of a still-thawing landscape. We all await on a petal. — Liz that turn of the season.

Like many of us, VLT ecologists Liz Thompson and Allaire Diamond delight in tracking seasonal shifts as they explore Vermont’s wilds. We asked what they’re waiting for this year, and they shared these notes from their spring-time journals. You may spot some of PEDUNCULATE SEDGE these plants and animals on your next walk in the vernal woods. When I roamed the woods as a child, I often noticed grassy patches that We’d love to know what you’re finding in the woods. What are your favorite signs of spring? I later learned were sedges. It’s fun in early spring to hunt for flowering sedges in the woods. Male and female flowers are found in different Share your photos on your social accounts using #StayGroundedVT or email us at [email protected]. clusters, on the same plant, and the wind blows the pollen from the male flowers of one plant to the female flowers of another. — Liz

BLOODROOT If there’s one flower I can depend on to appear early (aside from tree flowers), it is bloodroot. This flower practically shouts, “Spring is here!” I delight in the veiny leaf that wraps itself around the emerging flower, protecting it from the early April chill. Then the flower bursts forth, SPOTTED SALAMANDER EGGS spreading its white petals and showing its bright stamens to passing Springtime forests bathed in light are a special joy. I love catching the insects. It’s tempting to scratch the lower stem to see its red sap, but glint of sunlight on the surface of a vernal pool. Beneath the surface, I resist, and let it be. — Liz egg masses of spotted salamanders seem to glow from the depths of the otherwise dark water. Though I rarely see the mottled salamanders themselves around these little wetlands, I know they spend their lives near where they hatched, so some have probably noticed me. — Allaire

FLOWERING RED MAPLE I’m never lonely in the woods. Catching my eye like a friendly wave, red maple trees always have something red going on, no matter the time of year. When they flower, each bud opens into a mini bouquet of blooms. HEPATICA The flowers bursting from this bud have elegantly curving Y-shaped stigmas, as well as tiny stamens, with pollen-containing anthers sitting The sight of the first hepatica in the woods in early spring is enough to on slender stalks. — Allaire take my breath away. I love searching for hepatica flowers of different colors—they can be white, pink, purple, or blue. I don’t know if pollinating insects care about those differences. They aren’t too fussy in Learn more about spring wildflowers on May 4 (see back cover), and Photo: the cool of early spring. Sleepy, and looking for nectar where they can Jerry Jenkins find a lovely coloring page created by Allaire at vlt.org/springtime. find it, they’ll roam from flower to flower. —Liz 10 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 11

“Owning land is stewardship and A Town Forest Inspires Volunteers Photo: David Middleton Photo: David responsibility, and an By Tom Slayton awesome opportunity.” For more than two centuries, Tucker Mountain has Volunteers say these projects are fun. They’re also —David Mance been woven into the life of Newbury. bonding experiences that draw the town together. “People in Newbury love Tucker Mountain,” says Tom Caroline Nininger and her husband, John, have put in Kidder, head of a volunteer committee managing many hours volunteering on the mountain—clearing multiple goals. He recently conserved brush from old stone walls, walking boundaries, his land with VLT. the mountain’s latest role as Newbury’s Town Forest. “It’s that ownership feeling. People like to feel that it’s establishing trails, and more. “My wife and I wanted to preserve it, their mountain.” “I love to be outside,” Caroline says. “And there’s the maintain it as working forest,” says camaraderie of a group working together.” David, noting the many benefits The mountain has long been a favorite place for locals the land provides, from the value of to hike, hunt, ski, and snowmobile. The top, cleared Rick and Emmy Hausman organized workdays for spending time in the woods to timber, for sheep as early as 1810, offers a 360-degree view. members of their family foundation that brought firewood, wildlife habitat, and carbon More recently, VLT helped reimagine and conserve together about 20 people, ranging in age from storage. “It’s an amazing thing.” the mountain as a community resource. 4 to 77. “We wanted to show townsfolk that there Since then, a vigorous cadre of volunteers has become was a lot of energy devoted to the mountain,” Rick Sugaring is a family tradition that says. “Everybody in town has connections to it.” covers the cost of annual property vital to maintaining and improving the recreational taxes, and then some. Locals traverse and educational possibilities of Tucker. Last year, more VLT forester David McMath helps the community a trail that will hopefully join the than 50 volunteers at 22 work sessions put in 1,150 better understand the land and develop a plan, working Cheryl and David Mance are stewarding hundreds of acres in the . Taconic Crest Trail some day. David’s hours on trail building, erosion control, building closely with county forester David Paganelli. “It takes a sugarbush supports habitat for information kiosks, and more. With encroaching lot for a community to manage a town forest,” says songbirds and other animals through brush cleared away, the historic summit now offers David McMath. “When they’re passionate and active, Audubon Vermont’s Bird-Friendly sweeping views from Mount Ascutney and the Waits as in Newbury, the land is healthier, more resilient, and Conserved Timberlands Maple Sugarmakers program. His River Valley in Vermont to Mount Moosilauke in available to all, something of enormous value to the town.” thriving forests improve air and . “It’s nice to have a little piece of wilderness nearby that Protect Vermont’s water quality, allow soil to absorb we can give back to,” says Tom Kidder. more water during droughts and floods, and pull carbon from the Ecology—and Economy atmosphere—increasingly important as the climate changes. Northern New England is one of the “Within the large swaths identified “Owning land is stewardship and most densely wooded regions of the by the plan, we look for the most responsibility, and an awesome United States, and Vermont is right productive forestlands,” explains opportunity,” says David. up there with 75% of its land covered VLT’s Donald Campbell. Vermont’s in forest. This vast forest is recovering woods support a $1.5 billion forest from extensive land clearing in the products industry with 10,000 jobs 1800s, but remains at risk of being in forestry, logging, and more.** fragmented into smaller parcels and “Protecting those areas keeps our *Vermont Conservation Design was being cleared for other uses. rural economy healthy, too.” developed by Vermont’s Agency of Thankfully, many landowners are One such place is the rich Taconic Natural Resources and VLT to identify large areas of forests, wildlife corridors, Volunteers like John and Caroline working with VLT to keep our forests Mountain Range, known for excellent wetlands, and streamcourses that, when Nininger (left) and Rick and Emmy intact and healthy. These efforts timber and abundant wildlife. Retired carefully managed or protected, will Hausman (above) build kiosks, are especially important in priority forester David Mance owns 1,400 give us the healthiest landscape as the establish trails, clear brush, areas identified by a statewide plan acres here—an incredibly diverse climate changes. and lots more. for maintaining forest health, called ecosystem of wetlands, streams, and **Source: Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Vermont Conservation Design.* forests that he actively manages for Photo: Chris Cartter (above) 12 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 13

Co bu rn B ro o k

r e v i R i o u q sis Mis oute 100 VT R Town of Update: Kingdom Town of

Westfield Trails Campaign a T

roy Mi ll Br ook Success!

When a large property in the Kingdom Trails Protecting land along the river and restoring banks network went on the market, there was an benefits wildlife, helps absorb floodwaters and enthusiastic response to save it. The network’s runoff, and restores the river’s natural process. River protections 100+ miles of trails in Burke, Lyndon, Kirby,

k Conserved land and East Haven drew 140,000 visitors in Banking on Clean Water o o r B 2019. In recent years, the trails have generated ft a Partnering with farmers in the Upper Missisquoi watershed T over $10 million in economic activity, creating jobs and supporting businesses. Best known By Rachel Mullis for mountain biking, Kingdom Trails is also a place to snowshoe, ski, and hike. The land that was at risk is on Darling Tony Brault wasn’t always a farmer. Fifteen years ago, the To date, the river’s needs have been prioritized on a network These projects also benefit farms. The Missisquoi’s meandering Hill and has over seven miles of trails. The third-generation butcher bought a small farm and 20 of farms, totaling 290 acres where the river is undisturbed nature means water can spill into fields near the river, damaging Kingdom Trail Association (KTA) jumped cows to improve the selection at Brault’s Meat Market in and can change course naturally. crops. Farmers receive a financial incentive to retire vulnerable to buy it with temporary financing. KTA Troy, Vermont. Today he owns 200 cattle and farms a few Another key element is a 50-foot-wide area along the river, areas, which many invest in infrastructure or more productive land. and VLT joined to raise the money needed hundred acres along the Missisquoi River. called a buffer, where trees and shrubs are growing into Tony used the funds to finish a new barn and manure pit that will for a permanent solution. Nearly 750 people Tony is also working to improve water quality, together woodland. The restored banks benefit wildlife, absorb help him expand his business. contributed, including David Mingolelli of with other farmers in the region. Since 2016, landowners floodwaters and runoff, boost recreation and tourism, and “We believe so strongly that working landscapes are a part of the West Hartford, Vermont. have protected over eleven miles of the Upper Missisquoi. preserve the natural beauty of this nationally designated solution to water quality,” said VLT’s Tyler Miller. “Project by “Our family loves to hit the trails early and These efforts are the result of VLT, the Vermont Wild and Scenic River. project, landowner by landowner, we’re seeing a lot of success.” take long rides exploring all of Kingdom Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), “The network of river projects accomplished along the river On Tony’s farm, new fencing is keeping cattle out of the buffer area Trails,” explained David. “With this section partner organizations, and landowners working together showcases the value the landowners put in protecting our and 900+ native trees have been planted; over 7,000 more will be of Darling Ridge now intact, we can enjoy to protect and restore the banks of the river. The Missisquoi most important natural resources,” said Staci Pomeroy, a planted this spring. “It’s a beautiful river,” said Tony. the entire trail network and ride some of the drains into Lake Champlain and is a priority in clean river scientist with the DEC. most awesome trails in the Northeast without

water efforts. having to shuttle between areas.” Association Trail Kingdom Photo: 14 Spring 2021 PANORAMA Vermont Land Trust Vermont Land Trust PANORAMA Spring 2021 15

Our Recent Work AROUND THE STATE We thank the landowners and supporters who work with us to conserve Vermont’s landscape. ALBANY, CRAFTSBURY JAMAICA MOUNT HOLLY STRAFFORD, SHARON 236 acres: Beverly Delaney 101 acres: The Nature 346 acres: VLT worked with 266 acres: Hilary and Ben BETWEEN JULY 1 AND protected forest and Conservancy protected land, partners to expand the Minerd bought and conserved meadows which had been donated to land they had been leasing DECEMBER 20, 2020, WE: Franklin Richford Troy them, with VLT through our Farmland Highgate CAMBRIDGE NEWPORT Montgomery Newport Access Program Morgan 51 acres: Sally Laughlin LOWELL 136 acres: Dan Royer PROTECTED nearly 1,400 Isle La Motte Westfield conserved forestland for 37 acres: Jason and Ashley conserved his organic dairy UNDERHILL acres of farmland Fairfield Lowell Belvidere a new town-owned nature Randall conserved land along and sold it to farmers 17 acres: VLT assisted Albany Eden preserve the Missisquoi River Misty-Anne Koloski and the Town of Underhill in CONSERVED over 4,800 acres David Daniels expanding a popular Cambridge Craftsbury of forest, including over 1,500 DANVILLE LYNDON sledding hill Greensboro Wheelock 172 acres: Henry and 271 acres: VLT worked with NORWICH acres open for recreation Underhill Lyndon Allison Pearl protected Kingdom Trail Association to 115 acres: Nancy WARDSBORO their organic dairy protect trails and surrounding Arnold protected woods 207 acres: Donna and Danville PROTECTED 450 acres of wetlands land (see page 13 for story) and a tributary of the Peter Sebastian protected and 35 miles of streams and rivers DUMMERSTON Ompompanoosuc River forest and fields 59 acres: Ed Anthes and MONKTON Mary Ellen Copeland 269 acres: Sam Burr and RICHFORD WASHINGTON SUPPORTED 8 farm transitions Monkton conserved woods and fields Eugenie Doyle protected land 113 acres: Cora Mae Smith 62 acres: Lynne and Dave along Pond Brook, and gifted conserved woodland Lersch bought conserved HOSTED 868 people at EDEN, CRAFTSBURY 80 acres of wetlands to the forestland gifted to VLT by Washington 2,100 acres: Maureen Conte RIPTON educational events Weybridge Town of Monkton the Wolf family Granville and Bob Busby protected 80 acres: Barbara and Ripton forestland MONKTON Warren King protected WESTFIELD, TROY Learn more about these 360 acres: Charles and Mary woodland and wetlands 135 acres: Karen and projects at vlt.org/update Strafford FRANKLIN, HIGHGATE Huizenga conserved farmland Pat O’Donnell conserved land 9 acres: Wayne and Nancy SHAFTSBURY, RUPERT Sharon along the Missisquoi River Fiske protected land along MONTGOMERY, BELVIDERE 1,438 acres: David and Norwich and its tributaries Rock River and Bullis Pond 2,775 acres: Thirty Acres Cheryl Mance protected Woodlands LLC protected land on West Mountain WEYBRIDGE GRANVILLE forest with streams and (see page 10 for story) 160 acres: Monument Farms 24 acres: Daniel and Daphne wetlands conserved farmland along Hewitt conserved their SHAFTSBURY the Lemon Fair River farm and sold it to organic MORGAN 88 acres: Elizabeth and Mount Holly vegetable farmers Henry 125 acres: Kenric and John Graham conserved WHEELOCK, GREENSBORO Webb and Gabrielle Tuite Avalena Gonyaw protected young forest 796 acres: Logger Gary Springfield farmland Dwyer protected timberland Rupert ISLE LA MOTTE SPRINGFIELD in an area important for 57 acres: VLT’s Farmland MORGAN 70 acres: Matthew Kurek wildlife Access Program helped 837 acres: Josh Steirman and Maggie Wood protected Jamaica vintner Krista Scruggs conserved woodlands with farmland Wardsboro establish her own farm headwaters for several Shaftsbury streams Dummerston We’re grateful to the funders and partners who supported this work. Vermont Housing & Conservation Board • USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service • Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation • Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation • Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department • Forest Legacy Program • Cold Hollow to Canada • Jericho Underhill Land Trust • Mount Holly Conservation Trust • Passumpsic Valley Land Trust • Town of Cambridge • Town of Monkton • Town of Underhill • The Nature Conservancy under a grant from Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. • Davis Conservation Foundation • Freeman Foundation • Vermont Community Foundation and their Lyman Orton Fund • Hosmer Pond Fund • Michael Colbert Farmland Fund • Other private foundations • Businesses • Individuals and VLT members Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 8 Bailey Ave, Montpelier, VT 05602 Mailing Center 05641

A Town Forest Inspires Volunteers page 11

Spring Wildflowers and Vermont Natural Areas REGISTER their Pollinators from the Ground Up NOW! May 4 July 1

Upcoming Women's Estate Summer Tree Identification Planning Workshop July 26 Virtual Events May 19 We are excited about Cultivating Cultural these online events and Birding on Connections: A Tour of hope you'll join us. VLT-Conserved Land Pine Island Community Farm June 9 August 3 REGISTER TODAY AT VLT.ORG/EVENTS Summer Wildflowers Protecting and Enhancing and their Pollinators the Ancient Woods June 23 August 11

Keep in touch. Sign up for our emails at vlt.org/subscribe.