Vermont Land Trust YEAR IN REVIEW 2018–19 Vermont Land Trust Paul Bruhn YEAR IN REVIEW 2018–19 1947–2019 For 40 years, as executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, Paul Bruhn used his good nature, compassion, creativity, and penchant for finding solutions to make Vermont better. Paul advocated for enhancing downtowns and village centers while protecting the surrounding rural landscape. He used relationships and mutual understanding to forge a stronger, more beautiful Vermont. Paul’s passion for our state is deeply reflected in VLT’s conservation work. We dedicate this report to Paul—an inspiration to all who knew him. Dear members and friends, ach fall we gather at our Annual Celebration to say thank you to our members, E landowners, trustees, and staff who are the backbone of the Vermont Land Trust. This year, our celebration took place in Ripton at the Bread Loaf campus, with foliage glowing in fall’s fiery colors on the mountains behind us. Thanks to all of you, the Vermont Land Trust has never been stronger. The results set out in this annual report speak for themselves. But it’s the people and communities behind those results that matter the most. Take Tom Kidder who helped to secure 115 individual donations for the Town of Newbury to buy and conserve Tucker Mountain. Or Norma Norris who sold her Monkton farm to VLT in 2016 so new farmers could take over; today Stephen and Sarah Park operate Full Belly Farm there. These Vermonters, and thousands others, are motivated by a vision of vibrant working landscapes and healthy communities where farming and forestry succeed. This year we celebrated our 100th Farmland Access project, helping new farmers purchase and operate farms on land that could otherwise have been sold for non-farm use or developed. In the coming years, we will double our efforts to support the viability of farming, to expand community access to recreation and natural areas, and to protect wildlife habitat and ecological resources. This drive to do more comes directly from our mission to serve all Vermonters— many of whom may never own large parcels or work the land. With this in mind, we are seeking new ways to bring our expertise and resources to our state’s most pressing challenges, particularly those facing the rural communities that knit us together. We are making great strides, but more remains to be done. We must view our impact through a broader lens. We must expand the group of Vermonters who see the land, and the communities it supports, as the source of Vermont’s strength. We are grateful for the support you have provided. Won’t you join us as we embrace the new challenges that lie ahead? Sincerely, Nick Richardson Marc Mihaly President & CEO Chair, Board of Trustees 3 Our Work This Year Contributed to the protection Over 8,600 new acres under of 16,000 acres VLT conservation easements Farms Recreation and Wildlife 33 farm properties conserved 2 town forests 5 conserved farms transitioned to new farmers 5 properties with local trails 10 farm families bought their first farmland 38 miles of ski trails 8 farm businesses purchased more land 7,500+ acres of forest that have access for hunting, walking, birdwatching, etc. 23 farms support dairy and dairy products 12 farms produce meat and eggs Clean Water 4 farms grow vegetables and/or fruits 5 properties used for maple 5 miles of pond and lake frontage syrup production 11 miles of river frontage 90 miles of streams 526 acres of wetlands Stewardship 500,000+ acres of previously Forestland conserved land monitored by stewardship staff 11,000+ acres protected 4 5 A Far m at the Heart n her 44 years of farming in Monkton, Norma Norris put her family farm at Ithe heart of the community. She and her husband started out dairy farming in 1973. In ’95, they switched to what had been Norma’s sideline: delicious of its Community strawberries. They added veggies, more berries, and rechristened Norris Dairy Farm as Norris Berry Farm. Norma was widowed in 2004, but she kept farming. By the time she started thinking about retirement, her farm was so beloved that Monkton dedicated the 2016 town report to her, highlighting her generosity: she supplied berries for events like the library’s annual Strawberry Festival and gave many kids their first job and their first taste of what Norma calls “the merits of hard work.” The 108-acre farm’s stunning views and easy commuter access to Middlebury and Burlington made it a prime spot for housing developments. Instead, Norma sold the farm to VLT in 2016 to ensure that her land would stay in farming. “It just seemed like the right thing to do,” says Norma, who now lives in a new house just down the road. “We had possibili- ties where we could have sold lots, but it’s just, I think, the prettiest spot on earth, and there’s always been something very special about what grew there because it’s so good.” Stephen and Sarah Park heard about Norris Berry Farm just after they returned from their honeymoon and soon pitched a business proposal to VLT’s Farmland Access Program. “They had lots of good experience growing berries and vegetables, and were the best fit for this property,” says VLT’s Allen Karnatz. The Parks began leasing the farm in 2017 and called their new enterprise Full Belly Farm. Last summer, they purchased the farm outright. Since then, they’ve built four new greenhouses, expanded the farmstand, planted a half-acre of raspberries, and increased strawberry production. “We love seeing our produce enjoyed by others and finding ways to improve what we do,” says Sarah. “We are now starting to see the results of our work play out over time. Progress can seem slow, but we are pouring our energy into this place and it is making a difference. Every day it feels a little more like it’s ours.” Helping retiring farmers like Norma Norris (above) and new farmers like Stephen and Sarah Park (left) is key to the future of farming. 6 7 Rallying Around a ucked away in the small town of Woodford sits Prospect Mountain Nordic TSki Center, a network of 30 kilometers of skillfully groomed trails with Beloved Mountain consistently good snow. The mountain is a hub of activity with skiers of all ages and abilities exploring the trails, and college and high school ski teams using the area to train and race. But, a few years ago when word spread that the ski center would be up for sale, the fate of Prospect was not clear. That’s when the tight-knit community surrounding the mountain declared that it was unwilling to let their cherished ski area go. “We realized this was our window of opportunity,” says David Newell, president of the Prospect Mountain Association (PMA). The nonprofit group was formed by devoted Prospect skiers determined to keep the mountain open. “We wanted to be sure the mountain was secured for the community.” In September of 2018, PMA successfully purchased Prospect Mountain and its 144 acres were conserved with help from VLT. Major funding for the purchase came from Williams College and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board—but the rest came from community members who adore Prospect. When the fundraising campaign began, donations poured in. They came from people who’ve skied at Prospect for decades and those who never have. Local businesses chipped in and so did the Town of Bennington. “Once we got going, the fundraising just kind of took on a life of its own,” David says. “It was tremendous, the momentum we had.” Before they knew it, they had raised $55,000 more than the goal. With the future of the ski area now secure, members of PMA are putting the surplus funds to good use, making Prospect an even more enjoyable place to ski. Projects like improving trails, updating infrastructure, and exploring the possibility of snowmaking are underway. “Prospect Mountain is an incredible community asset,” says VLT’s Donald Campbell, who worked closely with PMA. “It’s not always easy for people to talk about the land that they love. It’s so wonderful that this community was able to articulate that love in time to do something about it.” VLT works with community groups to save recreation spots, like Prospect Mountain in Woodford, where people can connect to land. 8 9 Managing the Forest n a perfect summer day, 40 foresters gathered on woodland in Rupert. OThey were here to learn more about managing forests with ash trees, given the threat of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The larvae of this invasive beetle chew to Save a Species tunnels under the bark; this cuts off water and nutrition and usually kills the tree. EAB was first found in Vermont in 2018; it’s confirmed in 10 towns today. Forester Alan Calfee hosted the workshop on land he conserved with VLT. He helps manage around 25,000 acres on parcels ranging from 20 acres to 5,000. EAB hasn’t yet been found on those lands, but people are asking him about it. “The workshop was a bit of an awakening for me,” he reflects. Paul E. Richardson E. Paul “It really hit me that this pest is here. We have to start managing the forests for EAB now.” The workshop was part of a new VLT effort to help people improve the health of their land. VLT has held events, with partners, for landowners and professionals on three topics: EAB, invasive plants, and managing deer populations for forest health.