Bringing people together to conserve Vermont's Natural Resources
Montgomery, Vermont
Montgomery, Vermont is well known for its scenic beauty. Its two villages are nearly encircled by the main range of the Green Mountains along our eastern border and the Cold Hollow Mountains to the west. From the high forested summits flow numerous pristine streams which are the source of the Trout River, a National Scenic and Wild River.
Once home to many small farms and industries connected to forest products, Montgomery's economy is now strongly connected to outdoor recreation. The intact villages with their traditional Vermont architecture, historic covered bridges, excellent school and library, thriving historical society and many recreational opportunities make Montgomery an ideal place to live.
The Need for a Local Land Trust
Montgomery has benefited enormously from the large tracts of higher-elevation forest land which have been conserved by statewide and national conservation land trusts such as the Vermont Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy and the Northeast Wilderness Trust. Many acres owned and managed by Vermont Forests and Parks have conservation easements held by the Green Mountain Club and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board which protect the Long Trail and other backcountry areas adjacent to the Long Trail corridor.
The Hazen's Notch Conservation Trust was formed out of a belief that a local land trust could do the best job of acting as conservation stewards of some lower elevation lands and smaller parcels which, although small in size, provide significant benefits to the public, especially local residents. A local land trust with a focus on a particular town or community can be responsive to the needs and concerns of its residents.
Mission
The Hazen's Notch Conservation Trust was formed to conserve wildlife habitats, soil and water resources, undeveloped open space and natural areas, and non-motorized recreational trails. HNCT will work with interested landowners to explore outdoor recreation opportunities compatible with their property and land management philosophy. A priority for the HNCT is to conserve parcels adjacent to existing conserved lands in order to expand protection of wildlife corridors and habitats.
Conservation
HNCT will work with interested landowners to explore conservation options and outdoor recreation opportunities compatible with their property and land management philosophy. These options include donation or sale (if funding is available) of a conservation easement or land. A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust in which the landowner agrees to limit certain intensive activites such as development. The easement remains in effect with successive owners of the property. There can be significant tax benefits for donations of land and easements.
Stewardship
The HNCT will serve as steward of the lands it conserves, monitoring management activities, and maintaining existing recreational trails for public benefit. The Hazen's Notch Conservation Trust is a 501(c)3, non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. Current trustees include Sara Caldwell, President, Chris Smith, Treasurer and Denis Larsen, Secretary. The Trust is very fortunate to have Susan Shea as Conservation Consultant for preparing conservation easements.