Mother Nature Gets Another Party…Vermont Nature Conservancy Celebrates its 50th
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By Anita Rafael
Photography by Hubert Schriebl
For the past fifty years, the Vermont Nature Conservancy has been an active and important partner backing the Green Mountain Club’s mission as stewards of the Long Trail System, and they have put their money where their pup tents are. The largest of these land protection deals involving the two organizations closed in 1986 when the VTNC stepped in as the go-between to buy 12,000 acres from International Paper for $3.1 million. When the U.S. Congress made appropriations for it, the parcel, Long Trail and all, was incorporated into the Green Mountain National Forest. This meant that private lands that had been open for development were now preserved for habitat, as well as for public use. This particular acquisition allowed the rerouting of the Long Trail directly to the summit of Stratton Mountain, win-win-win all the way around.
Over the past half-century, the land trust has preserved and helped to protect more than 180,000 acres in Vermont-that averages out to 3,600 acres a year, which is equivalent to about 140 super-stores with parking lots. Some of the Nature Conservancy’s land acquisitions have come as gifts, but most were purchased at appraised fair-market value. Buying land not only takes money, it also requires supreme patience. Eight years in the making, the conclusion of a 312-acre land deal announced by the VTNC earlier this year resulted in the protection of a prime example of a rich northern hardwood forest-one of the largest parcels in all of New England. Right in our own backyard, it is part of the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester Center.
Although the Nature Conservancy is a global organization with programs in all 50 states and 30 countries, the Vermont chapter raises all its own funds, relying on the generosity of all of us to help them; there are some 7,000 members, a staff of 20 in two locations, and a board of 27 dedicated trustees. The big picture of the Conservancy’s track record for science-based conservation is in the full color guide to more than 100 places across the length and breadth of Vermont that the organization has conserved or helped to conserve over the last 50 years. The guide includes color photographs, trail descriptions and driving directions to Conservancy Natural Areas, State Parks, Wildlife Management areas and other locations that showcase the natural heritage of the state.
The Nature Conservancy’s Natural Areas and Projects in Vermont, 50th Anniversary Edition costs $5.95 and can be ordered by sending a check with your name and address to The Nature Conservancy, 27 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
As the Green Mountain Club celebrates its centennial, the Nature Conservancy is simultaneously honoring its achievements with two exhibitions. One, a photo exhibit called "Inspired By Nature, Through The Lens" is slated to be part of the festivities at an event in Shelburne on August 28. (Many images are currently online at www. nature.org/Vermont.)
A larger exhibition, also called "Inspired By Nature," is a juried show of paintings and mixed media by Vermont artists. It will be on display at the Bennington Center for the Arts in July and the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville in September.
For full details on these and other events-walks, talks, films, hikes, canoe trips and parties-check in with The Nature Conservancy of Vermont, by calling 802 -229-4425 or online at www.nature.org/Vermont, on Facebook and Twitter.
