The following conservation projects for the Northeast Kingdom region are reported in VLT's Spring 2010 Newsletter: 

1. Farmland and Fragile River Habitat Protected in Maidstone
Maidstone. Roger and Susan Irwin. Conservation easement sale. 141 acres.

A fertile stretch of farmland along the Connecticut River has been permanently protected from development by owners Roger and Susan Irwin. The Irwin Farm has been in Roger’s family since 1959. Roger and Susan farmed until 2001, when they sold their dairy herd. Currently, they rent the land to the Peaslee family.

By conserving their farm, the Irwins also protected nearly a mile of Connecticut River shoreline. The Irwin Farm sits along the free-flowing Maidstone Bends section of the river; their land has an old oxbow, significant floodplain forest, several small wetlands and a large natural beach that is popular with canoeists and fishermen. “We are fortunate to have rich and beautiful land to both work on and enjoy recreationally,” said Roger. “We feel comfortable that our family will be able to continue to use the land for agriculture and maintain wildlife habitat.” Funded by VHCB and the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. (July)

2. Landowners Protect Cedar Swamp, Wildlife Habitat, and Ski Trails
Craftsbury. George and Elinor Osborn. Conservation easement donation. 26 acres.

VLT has been working with landowners and community members to promote conservation in the Hosmer Ponds watershed area of Craftsbury and Albany. In addition to Little and Great Hosmer Ponds, this area also includes the Black River Swamp, a significant wetland system associated with the Black River.

George and Elinor Osborn recently contributed to the Hosmer conservation effort—and hope to inspire others to do the same—by donating a conservation easement on their land, which includes a portion of the Black River Swamp. The property contains an area of mature cedar swamp, a feature uncommon in Vermont. “Ever since we came here, we had hoped to conserve our part of the Black River Swamp and the rest of our forest,” said Elinor. “It’s a wonderful wildlife area.” The Osborn property also has a section of ski trail associated with the Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s trail system. Supported by the Vermont Community Foundation. (August)

Conservation easements co-held by VLT, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.

Many people in and outside of Vermont have seen photos of the recently conserved Bogie Mountain Farm in Barnet. The white farmhouse, cupola-topped red barn, and open fields have been featured in calendars, books, and even Milton Bradley puzzles. What these photos don’t always convey is that this quintessential Vermont hill farm is still very much a working dairy, as well as an occasional sawmill, and producer of maple syrup and honey. Four family members now own the farm in partnership: Kelly, Audrey, and two of their sons, Sherm and John. Sherm primarily manages the small organic dairy operation with help from the family.

“Kelly and I spent the first night of our marriage on this farm 58 years ago, so this means a lot to us today,” said Audrey Bogie at the closing. “We don’t want to see this family land get broken up over time. Conservation helps to make sure that doesn’t happen.” The family’s commitment to the farm led them to generously sell the conservation easement for less than market value. The farm comprises two separate parcels of land—a 132-acre piece and a nearby 91-acre tract of open land that includes a sugarbush. Funded by the Freeman Foundation. (December)

4. Round Pond and Surrounding Land Conserved in Eden
Eden. Marli Rabinowitz and Joe Earle. Conservation easement donation. 560 acres.

Twelve years ago, Marli Rabinowitz bought a beautiful piece of undeveloped woodland with a nine-acre kettle pond, called Round Pond, which is said to be up to 90 feet deep. One day, while she was on the land, a man asked what she was doing there; she answered that she owned the property. He asked what she planned to do with it and she replied, “Nothing, nothing at all.” The man was Joe Earle, and from that point forward, they have been working to protect Round Pond and its surrounding lands. They have purchased several adjoining properties to buffer the pond parcel from development. Partnering with Dan Sweet of Hunger Mountain Forestry, Marli and Joe have also engaged in management practices designed to enhance the diverse wildlife habitat present on the property. “All of our efforts have been focused on protecting this property. Conserving it is the perfect outcome,” said Marli. Supported by the Freeman Foundation. (December)

5. Landowner Who Donated Easement Leads by Example
Johnson. Carlotta Coolidge. Conservation easement donation. 364 acres.

Around 10 years ago, Carley Coolidge stopped by the VLT’s Northeast Kingdom office and said she was thinking about buying a property in Johnson, and added that if she did, she would like to conserve it. She ended up buying a large block of timberland near a conserved 600-acre parcel owned by Lucy and David Marvin. The well-managed forest is primarily maple, but also has cherry, ash, and birch. Carley, who was instrumental in establishing a conservation commission in town, decided to lead by example and donated a conservation easement on the property. Supported by the Freeman Foundation. (December)

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