| Your support of conservation with a gift to VLT helps to protect Vermont’s Farms, Forests and Community Open Space.  “For us, it makes sense that the fields and forests we’ve enjoyed should be experienced by others for generations to come. In addition to conserving our property, we have also made a bequest to VLT. Now, as we drive around Vermont, we say to ourselves, ‘We helped preserve this glorious landscape.’” -- Norm Angell Cherlyn and Norm Angell conserved their land in 1999 with VLT, and made a bequest in 1986. In 2006, they set up the Angell stewardship endowment fund because they believe in leaving a Vermont legacy. 
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| | Between July 2006 and June 2007, we worked with communities and landowners throughout Vermont to protect 79 parcels of land conserving 16,710 acres as follows: | Conventional dairy farms and farmland: | 20 | | Diversified farms (incl. organic): | 17 | | Forest: | 30 | | Community*: | 10 | | Ecologically significant areas with enhanced protection: | 11 | | Public access^: | 11 | | Rural countryside: | 5 |
Here are a few of the projects that VLT worked on this year:  | | Photo by Caleb Kenna | |
Orange County Headwaters
In November 2004, the landowners that comprise the locally-inspired Orange County Headwaters project (OCH) presented VLT and the Upper Valley Land Trust with 23 signed letters of intent from landowners willing to donate conservation easements in Washington and Corinth. Since then, VLT has worked with dozens of landowners who want to protect this mostly forested land that forms the headwaters of the Waits, Winooski and White Rivers. To date, 16 parcels have been conserved, 11 with the Vermont Land Trust. “The OCHP is the most successful landscape-wide conservation project I’ve seen in Central Vermont” said Mark McEathron, of the Vermont Land Trust. “The OCH folks have translated their vision into concrete action very quickly. What they have done is now being replicated by landowner groups in other parts of Vermont.”  | Photo by Caleb Kenna |
The Intervale
The fertile land of Burlington’s Intervale was one of the first areas farmed in Vermont. Today the land hosts 14 independent organic farms that produce over 550,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry annually — all within walking distance to downtown Burlington. This year, with the help of the Vermont Land Trust and funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Intervale Center was able to purchase 179 acres and conserve 232 acres. “By having an agricultural conservation easement and ownership of the land it assures that my kids and grandkids and other generations will have this land for agriculture,” said Andy Jones, farm manager at the Intervale Community Farm, the largest CSA in northern New England. “We’re trying to look at the long term; that’s what this is all about.”  | | Photo by Caleb Kenna | |
The Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market
For 30 years, the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market has been selling fresh produce and other local items to southeastern Vermonters. What started with two farmers has now expanded to 50 vendors. With this success came the challenge of running a market on three parcels of land without a long-term lease in a city with limited parking facilities. In response, the market and VLT joined forces to fundraise for the purchase of an adjacent 1.2-acre lot. This small piece of land is allowing the market to expand substantially, helping area farmers sell their products and residents to further enjoy healthy, local food. |