The Duxbury Land Trust NewsletterVolume XI No. 7 Conserving Duxbury’s Special Places December 2014

Duxbury Land Trust NewsletterThe Duxbury Land Trust

PO. Box 56Waterbury, VT 05676

State Farm Conservation

Easements Finalized

In March, the State of Vermont and the Duxbury Land Trust (DLT) finalized two conservation easements in conjunction with the sale of the buildings section of the old state farm. In addition, the Trust holds a third easement on another section of the former farm that was finalized in 2004 and covers 73 acres.

One of the new easements covers 100 acres of wetland, wildlife habitat, and forestry resources on the parcel that is now in private ownership. The conserved land is adjacent to the town gravel pit and located southeast of Crossett Brook Middle School. The second easement covers approximately 92 acres on both sides of the River Road starting at the village (Duxbury Corners) west to Hart Road. Both parcels allow agricultural and forestry uses.

Total acreage of the former State Farm now conserved totals approximately 262 acres or 66% of the approximately 400 acres that are covered by the State Farm Master Plan.

Looking southeast along River Road, between Hart Road and Duxbury Corner

Duxbury Land Trust Celebrates 20 years

The Duxbury Land Trust (DLT) celebrated its 20th anniversary in October. Founded in 1994 by a small group of Duxbury residents to preserve a community swimming hole, the non-profit organization has grown to conserve more than 300 acres in Duxbury.

The overall mission is to preserve, protect, and promote appreciation of the natural, cultural, aesthetic, and recreational resources that contribute to Duxbury’s rural character. Throughout its 20 year history, the Land Trust has been focusing on preserving land along the Winooski River and Duxbury’s brooks as well as wildlife corridors, agricultural land and working forest lands.

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a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization | www.duxburylandtrust.org

The Duxbury Land Trust depends on its members for the energy and resources required for innovative and responsible land stewardship. Your membership helps make possible land acquisitions, easement negotiation and stewardship, and communication and outreach efforts. We would love to have you to join us. Send your tax deductible donation to Duxbury Land Trust, PO Box 56, Waterbury, VT 05676. For more information, call a Trustee or visit our website: www.duxburylandtrust.org

Membership:

Member $15 Family Membership $30 Supporting Member $30 Contributing Member $50 Sustaining Member $100

2014/2015 Board of Trustees

Brenda Clarkson 496-7094 Jim McCarthy 244-4952Catherine Gjessing 244-4952 Brian Fitzgerald 496-7094Alan Quackenbush 244-7512 Kelley Taft 244-8630Audrey Quackenbush 244-7512 Winston Rost 244-1265

Summary of Conserved Properties:

Ridley Brook Swimming Hole ~ 11 acres ~ 10 Acres Purchased/1Acre Donated 1995Devlin Road ~ 25 acres ~ Conservation Easement Donated 1999Ridley Brook Frontage ~ 5 acres ~ Property Donated 2004Former State Farm ~ 73 acres ~ Conservation easement Donated 2004Ridley Brook Frontage ~ 13 acres ~ Purchased 2011 Former State Farm ~ 192 acres ~ 2 Conservation Easements Donated 2014

Total Conserved ~ 319 acres

In addition to conserving Duxbury’s special places, board members organize Duxbury’s annual Green Up Day effort. The Board has also been involved recently with students and teachers from Crossett Brook Middle School to address erosion problems along Crossett Brook.

The DLT also works with partners such as the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) on larger conservation projects of state and regional importance. The newest collaboration is with the TPL to conserve 2085 acres of Dowsville Headwaters. An announcement will be made early in 2015.

Special Thanks to the Individuals and Businesses that have supported us over the years:

Charter and current DLT members

Founding board members: Claire Blodgett, Bob Haslam, Tony Jamka, Oren Kronick, Alan Quackenbush, Audrey Quackenbush, Kathy Reilly, Winston Rost, John Shane, and Maria Stadlmayer.

Donors of property and easements: Andy Clapp, Linda Devlin, Christine and Vincent Iorio, State of Vermont.

Individual Supporters: Alice Blodgett-Artist (logo design and fundraisers), Patti Casey – Singer/Songwriter (concert fundraisers), Attorney David Wilson (legal services).

Business Supporters: Arvad’s Grill and Pub; Duxbury Country Store; Green Mountain Coffee Roasters; Grunberg Haus; Stowe Street Emporium; Tarrant, Marks, and Gillies; Vincent’s Drug and Variety.

The DLT is administered by a volunteer board of nine Duxbury residents. Acquisition of land and easements, as well as ongoing stewardship of these lands, is supported by the organization’s members, including Duxbury and non-Duxbury residents. Please join us.

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