Articles for Vermont Land Trust
Vermont Land Trust protects land and fosters connections to the farms, forests, and community spaces across Vermont.
I interview subject matter experts like conservationists, farmers, and landowners to write articles and share stories that support creating more connections to the land.
All photos courtesy of Vermont Land Trust, except where noted otherwise.
Feature story: Farms in flux
Vermonters confront a climate that’s changing faster than expected
The growing risks and instability are forcing Vermont farmers to rethink not just how they farm but where — and even whether — they continue farming at all.
Living life to the fullest: accessible trails in Vermont
Opening up Vermont’s trails to more people
Trail projects are being designed by VLT and other organizations with one goal: opening up wild places to more people and discovering what we all can gain when we do.
Photo courtesy: SevenPair Studios for Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports
Featured properties
-
Retreat Farm is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation and community connection. Visitors to this 500-acre historic property along the West River in Brattleboro can walk the trails, meet farm animals, attend seasonal events, and enjoy the local food market. With roots dating back to 1837, the former working farm has evolved today into a hub — managed by the nonprofit Retreat Farm — where people can engage with the landscape in many ways. In 2001, the prior owners, the Windham Foundation, worked with us to conserve most of the land for education, community, farming, and land stewardship — forever.
-
At Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert, Vermont, visitors can explore 35 miles of trails, camp in a cabin or lean-to, hunt, visit a working farm and forest and buy its products, and attend hands-on workshops or summer camps. Spanning 3,500 acres, of which 3,200 are conserved (2,946 acres with us), it’s a key part of Vermont’s forested landscape.in Rupert, Vermont, visitors can explore 35 miles of trails, camp in a cabin or lean-to, hunt, visit a working farm and forest and buy its products, and attend hands-on workshops or summer camps. Spanning 3,500 acres, of which 3,200 are conserved (2,946 acres with us), it’s a key part of Vermont’s forested landscape.
-
The Tucker Mountain Town Forest is the epitome of Vermont’s outdoor culture. From hiking to hunting, snowmobiling, and outdoor classroom spaces, it brings together diverse groups of people united by a love for nature. It’s home to two of the highest points in Newbury, Tucker Mountain at 1,690 ft. and Woodchuck Mountain at 1,750 ft. Located in the low mountains above the Connecticut River, it offers panoramic views of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and several Vermont peaks.