Sterling Forest

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Sterling Forest

2,150 Acres Preserved by Partnership

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic Region: Vermont

Project Summary: Headwaters to Sterling Falls Gorge protected by 2,150-acre land purchase by Friends of Sterling Valley and the Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust.

Resource Challenge

With the death of Thomas Watson (IBM) the 2,150 acres he had purchased for ski area development but never used was threatened by development. The conservation partners negioated a six month option with the Watson family giving it time to raise the $1,000,000 cash needed to purchase and protect the property from future development.

Examples of Key Partners

"Friends of Sterling Valley" Local residents making (1/3 total) partner contribution

"Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust, Inc." Local 501(c)(3) Land Trust leading the preservation effort

"Vermont Land Trust" Statewide Land Trust leading the preservation effort

"Vermont Housing Conservation Trust Fund" State funding source making (1/3 total) partner contribution

"Town of Stowe" Municipal funding source making (1/3 total) partner contribution

"Stowe Conservation Commission" commission leading public support effort

Results and Accomplishments

Seed money needed for legal fees and good faith funds were provided by a dozen local residents who called themselves "Friends of Sterling Valley" and operated under the auspicies of the Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust an educational land trust formed several years earlier to own, manage and provide public access to the magnificent Sterling Falls Gorge. The primary goal of this group was to protect the headwaters to the Gorge which were all located on the Watson land. Three members of this group each contributed $50,000 for which they received a conservation buffer zone around their property. That money was matched by a private foundation. With one third of the million dollar purchase price in the bank, the private group joined forces with the Vermont Land Trust and approached the Vermont Housing Conservation Trust Fund. The Fund pledged the second one-third contribution if the Town of Stowe would provide the final third. With the help of the Stowe Conservation Commission a special town meeting was warrned and the voters approved bonding for the final one-third of the funds needed.

Innovation/Highlight

more to follow ... must catch a flight do you have an off-line version?

Project Contact

Gar Anderson

250 Sterling Falls Gorge
Stowe, VT 05672
(802) 253-9035
gander07@realtor.com

Website:

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