New conservation easement helps protect 6,250 acres of 'forever-wild' lands

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Vermont River Conservancy took the final steps to permanently protect more than 6,000 acres owned by Northeast Wilderness Trust at the headwaters of the Lamoille and Winooski Rivers, the organization’s largest undertaking in its 30-year history.

The “forever-wild” conservation easement ensures the property’s abundant wetlands and forests will be allowed to grow old over time, improving flood resilience for adjacent communities and protecting key wildlife habitat. The project was initiated by Northeast Wilderness Trust, which acquired multiple properties to create the expansive Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve and subsequently donated the conservation easement to Vermont River Conservancy. “Northeast Wilderness Trust conveys conservation easements to other land trusts to ensure permanence beyond our ownership,” said Caitlin Mather, Land Conservation Director at Northeast Wilderness Trust. “This added layer is the highest form of legal protection. We are grateful to have partnered with Vermont River Conservancy to achieve this forever-wild outcome.”

The Preserve protects the summit of Woodbury Mountain, Eagle Ledge, expansive wetlands, and 36 miles of headwater streams.

“All climate models predict central Vermont will see more drought and more floods, just as we’ve seen over the past 2 years. Protecting vibrant wetlands and allowing headwater forests to grow old is critical to rebuilding the spongy soils that store massive amounts of water – ultimately helping keep communities safer during droughts and floods,” said Erin De Vries, conservation director for Vermont River Conservancy.

Landscape photo of Woodbury

Beyond its flood resilience benefits, the project safeguards a crucial wildlife corridor. The Preserve is a cornerstone of the “Worcester-to-Kingdom” wildlife linkage. This forested corridor has been identified by the Staying Connected Initiative as regionally critical for wide-ranging mammals as well as species moving and responding to a rapidly changing climate.

The Preserve’s headwater streams provide some of the healthiest brook trout habitat in Vermont. The eastern wild brook trout thrives in water up to 65° and can tolerate a few degrees more; 75° is lethal. As water temperatures rise in the face of climate change, cool, forested streams like those in the Preserve will be increasingly important for these native fish.

The area is also within Vermont’s only globally important bird area, as defined by Audubon and BirdLife International. The Preserve secures critical habitat for threatened and endangered species such as Bicknell’s Thrush and Northern Long-Eared Bats. Furthermore, the property’s many wetlands provide high-quality habitat for species like moose, which have seen population declines in recent years, and others that will benefit from landscape-scale protections.

“Forever-wild lands simultaneously conserve biodiversity, store immense amounts of carbon naturally, provide clean air and water, and offer solitude and quiet to those who seek it,” said Jon Leibowitz, President and CEO of Northeast Wilderness Trust. Vermont River Conservancy’s partnership to protect Woodbury Mountain Preserve is a prime example of the river organization’s strategic approach to protect and restore rivers for people and wildlife.

Staff from NEWT and VRC walking at Woodbury

Vermont River Conservancy and Northeast Wilderness Trust staff on a field visit to the newly conserved lands.

About Vermont River Conservancy

Vermont River Conservancy protects and restores rivers for people and wildlife. With a focus on conservation projects that promote flood resilience and keep communities safe, our work includes projects to conserve floodplains, protect headwater forests, and remove dams. To learn more, visit vermontriverconservancy.org.

About Northeast Wilderness Trust

Northeast Wilderness Trust conserves forever-wild landscapes where Nature can thrive, wildlife can wander, and people can find beauty and quiet. Since its founding in 2002, the Wilderness Trust has protected more than 82,000 forever-wild acres across New York and New England. Learn more at www.newildernesstrust.org.