Saving Land for Wildlife and Climate Resilience
In the face of our urgent climate crisis, landowners across the Champlain Valley are stepping up and conserving critical shorelands, wetlands, and flood-absorbing forests that serve as natural defenses against increasingly severe rainstorms.
For Charlotte landowners Jim Donovan and Patricia O’Donnell, this summer’s flooding reinforced their desire to protect their special land. Walking along Holmes Creek, Jim is quick to point out how saplings, shrubs, and tall grasses now grow where livestock once roamed. Jim and Patricia proudly list the species they see and hear in the woods flanking the Creek—beaver, bobcat, deer, mink, and weasels.
And now, thanks to our members and project partners Charlotte Land Trust and Vermont Land Trust, this special land is conserved forever.
What’s Upstream Matters
More intense rainstorms caused by climate change often lead to increased soil erosion and increased risk for harmful algal blooms. For several weeks after this summer’s flooding, Lake Champlain’s tributaries and nearshore waters were clogged with brown sediment, and beach closures were a common sight. Fortunately, nature-based solutions like the conservation and restoration of wetlands, floodplain forests, and riparian areas can help filter and trap sediments, excess nutrients, and other pollutants before they reach the Lake.
Saving Rare and Unique Natural Communities
While the water features of the Holmes Creek land take center stage—the project protects an over 4,000-foot stretch of the creek and eight acres of wetlands—the now-conserved land also harbors a rare Mesic Clayplain Forest and several populations of a rare sedge. The upland portions of the property are home to a diverse forest with one stand containing over 17 tree species.
Letting Forests Grow for Wildlife
In Chittenden County’s lakeshore communities, where agriculture and housing dominate the landscape, large and medium-sized blocks of forest are rare. The Lake Champlain Land Trust is focused on conserving, restoring, and connecting those critical forests that remain.
The Holmes Creek Conservation Project links two state-identified Priority Interior Forest Blocks (173 acres and 239 acres). The protection of this land forever ensures that local wildlife will be able to travel safely through this riparian connection. While wildlife will benefit greatly from this conservation project, there is no public access.
Your Support is Making a Difference
Thanks to Jim and Patricia’s conservation vision and the support of our dedicated members, the Holmes Creek forests will mature. Two town-approved future upland house sites are clustered together in a compact development pattern that leaves room for wildlife and protects scenic viewsheds.
Your support matters now more than ever. We need your help to save our next floodplain forest project. Together, we can build climate and flood resilience so our communities are better protected when the next major storm hits.
Do You Want to Conserve Your Land?
If your family is interested in exploring voluntary conservation tools to help protect shoreland, riparian land, or forestland in the Champlain Valley, please contact Executive Director Chris Boget at 802-862-4150 or for a free and confidential consultation.
[Photo Credits – Homepage Widget + Featured Top: Caleb Kenna Photography; First Photo, Lake Swimmers: Robert Nickelsberg]
