Vermont Housing & Conservation Board - Vermont Legislature

NATURAL AREAS and RECREATIONAL LANDSRecent conservation projects include support for acquisition and conservation ofover 1,100 acres of recreation land in Bolton; creation of a new town forest withan extensive mountain biking trail network in Stowe; riparian projects with theVermont River Conservancy protecting habitat and providing public access inEnosburg, Johnson and Bristol; additions to Nature Conservancy Preserves inDummerston, Maidstone and the North Pawlet Hills; conservation of over 1,200feet of Lake Champlain shoreline in Benson; acquisition of flood prone land fora new town park adjacent to the Village of Jeffersonville’s historic district and thecreation of the first Abenaki Tribal Forest in Barton.HISTORIC PROPERTIESvhcb has invested in 57 historic buildings with public use, helping to protectVermont’s built heritage, a critical component of our state’s identity and appeal toresidents and visitors alike. vhcb works with the Preservation Trust of Vermont,towns and historical societies to protect historically significant public buildings inVermont’s downtowns and village centers. These restoration projects can encourageother community development investment, leading to economic revitalization. Ourstate’s cultural landscape is also defined by what lies beneath, with vhcb’s portfolioof conserved properties also protecting significant archeological resources.s The Vermont Land Trust and local partnersare working to raise more than $1 million topurchase and conserve 1,161 acres of unfragmentedforest in Bolton with 90 kilometers ofNordic and backcountry ski trails. The landprovides important wildlife habitat and will beadded to the Mt. Mansfield State Forest and beowned and managed by the Vermont Departmentof Forests, Parks and Recreation.s The 65-acre Nulheganaki Tribal Forest inBarton is conserved for forest management,traditional tribal uses, and for recreational use bythe public. The Nulhegan Abenakis will also usethe land for community gardens, a sugarhouse,and youth cultural programs.Vermont Land Trust photos25There is an increasing recognition of themultiple benefits of protecting Vermont’snatural resources. Farm and forestproducts, natural resource-based manufacturing,energy production, flood hazardmitigation, habitat connectivity, carbonsequestration, recreation and healthylifestyles, tourism, connecting people tonature and cultural values—all dependon our natural resource base.Conservation helps maintain theworking landscape, treasured by bothlocals and tourists and contributingsignificantly to the state’s economy.Investments in our working landscapestrengthen the agricultural and forestryeconomies. Protecting recreational landsreaps economic benefits as well—theYears of Conservation InvestmentsYields Economic and Environmental BenefitsLong Trail, the Catamount Trail andthe Cross Vermont Trail attract hikers,skiers and cyclists, bringing millions intourist dollars into the state. A study ofone popular mountain bike center in EastBurke estimated that bikers contribute$1.5 to $2 million to the local economyeach year. VHCB’s contribution to majorconservation and recreation projectssuch as mountain bike trails in Barreand Stowe will help to support multiplebusinesses in those areas. Protectingpublic access to trails and to wateralso augments public health efforts byproviding opportunities for Vermontersto get outside and exercise, whetherby walking, swimming, biking, huntingor skiing.6 / Celebrating 25 Years