🎉 Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Connectivity, Climate, and Communities Fund grants! 🎉TNC recently awarded $1.2 million in grants to land trusts and organizations across seven states, including VT, to advance 27 projects to permanently protect resilient and connected lands in pivotal landscapes. Grants of up to $50,000 were awarded through the Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program, part of TNC’s larger Connectivity, Climate and Communities Fund, to address challenges and barriers in the way of connecting a large network of resilient landscapes in the Appalachians for the long-term benefit of the people, communities and our planet. Three Vermont organizations were awarded grants:
Northern Rivers Land Trust: The Town of Wolcott, Northern Rivers Land Trust and Trust for Public Land are partnering to create a 735-acre Community Forest in Wolcott, VT, within walking distance of the village center and directly adjacent to the Wolcott Elementary School and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The Wolcott Community Forest will provide for low-impact recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities, attracting new visitors, residents and small business to Wolcott. Permanent protection of the property will link Elmore State Park, East Hill WMA and Green River Reservoir State Park. The Community Forest will sequester carbon, increase climate resiliency, and mitigate flooding by protecting 38 acres of wetlands, 1/3 mile of frontage on the Lamoille River and 5.6 miles of headwater streams, 23 acres of Groundwater Source Protection Area, and 2 acres of floodplain, as well as 7 uncommon natural communities and 18 rare and uncommon species.
Putney Mountain Association: Putney Mountain Association is acquiring 3 contiguous parcels totaling 159 acres in Dummerston, VT. The project abuts other lands owned by PMA and is within two of Vermont’s Highest Priority Interior Forest and Connectivity Blocks. One of Vermont’s largest American Ash trees grows on the property. It also contains a tributary of the West River, and a section of trail that connects all the way to Grafton VT in the North and Prospect Hill to the South. The property creates a keystone connection between Windmill Ridge to the north and Black Mountain to the south.
Town of Bradford, Vermont: The Town is acquiring 61 acres adjacent to 815 acres of land to be acquired by the Town of Bradford and conserved by the Upper Valley Land Trust. The project will protect two tributaries of the Waits River and provide trail access to the Wright’s Mountain-Devil’s Den Town Forest.
We can't wait to see their work come to fruition, and to celebrate lasting climate actions for our beautiful state 💚
