Acquisition, conservation makes ‘Greatwoods’ forest whole – VTDigger

The Acquisition and Conservation of Woodlands in Eden Expands a Broader Tract

The acquisition and conservation of a 356-acre portion of woodlands in Eden (orange) will expand a broader 5,720-acre tract that has been conserved since 2010 (yellow) and abuts the Long Trail to the northwest (green). Map courtesy of Trust for Public Land

This story by Aaron Calvin was first published by the News & Citizen on May 30.

Introduction

The acquisition and conservation of a 356-acre portion of woodlands in Eden will expand a broader 5,720-acre tract that has been conserved since 2010. This initiative is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

Partnership for Conservation

Greatwoods LLC and the Trust for Public Land are partners in this conservation project. Greatwoods, a timber investor company with properties across multiple states, approaches resource extraction with a conservation-minded approach. The company has been logging and sugaring the Eden tract surrounding its newest acquisition for over a decade but was unable to make it a truly intact forest until now.

Expansion of Core Land Base

The newly acquired Greatwoods Eden property, now over 6,000 acres, abuts the Long Trail to the northwest and extends into Johnson where it adjoins Butternut Mountain. The original conservation of the property was made possible through funding from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program. The recent acquisition was supported by a $271,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.

Public Access and Recreation

The conservation easement on the property requires a more rigorous management plan and guarantees public access for recreation. The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers trails cross through the property, and while there are no specific hiking trails, there are forest roads that provide access. This ensures that the SDGs related to sustainable cities and communities and responsible consumption and production are met.

Water Quality Benefits

The Trust for Public Land also considered water quality benefits when pursuing the conservation of the property. One-third of the property consists of wetlands, and two-thirds are considered riparian areas. By keeping the land as a forest with strong protections, downstream flooding can be decreased, and water quality can be improved. This aligns with the SDGs related to clean water and sanitation and climate action.

Preserving Forest Integrity

Preserving the integrity of the forest block was a crucial step in this project. If the 356-acre piece had been developed, it would have had larger implications on the conserved land around it. This initiative contributes to the SDGs related to life on land and partnerships for the goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

The acquisition and conservation of woodlands in Eden align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

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Fuente: vtdigger.org

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