Our first conservation property was once mistakenly bombarded by British cannonballs during the Revolutionary War. Just over 200 years later in 1978, Eleanor Roberts generously donated historic Carleton’s Prize Island in South Hero to the newly-formed Lake Champlain Land Trust.
Since then, we have saved some of the most important natural treasures in the beautiful Island towns of South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, Alburgh, and Isle La Motte. With the support of our members and partners, we have conserved or assisted in the protection of 1,238 acres of irreplaceable islands, woodlands, and wetlands in the Champlain Islands region—including over 33,000 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline.
Our work conserving mature forests and runoff-filtering lakeshore wetlands helps safeguard the region’s prized fishing spots and clean water. These protected lands also harbor dozens of rare plant and animal species, state-significant natural communities, and prime wildlife habitat.
With the support of our members, we have conserved some of the Islands’ most popular public access natural areas like Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve, Knight Island State Park, Round Pond, Butternut Hill, and Tracy Woods. Together, we are protecting public access, clean water, biodiversity, and scenic beauty.
Southern Islands: Community Conservation at its Best
South Hero is just 30 minutes from Vermont’s largest city, but this quiet island community feels a world away. Crossing the Route 2 Causeway onto the Island, majestic osprey perch on roadside nests and spectacular views emerge around every corner.
Development pressures are high here, and forested land and undeveloped lakeshore are in short supply. Thanks to our members and partners, including one of our closest conservation allies, the South Hero Land Trust (SHLT), we have protected seven South Hero properties, including local favorite Tracy Woods.
Teaming up with SHLT, we worked with the Tracy/King family to protect their land and improve access to its scenic trail. Shortly after the conservation deal was signed, in typical Island fashion, local volunteers stepped up to help us install split-rail fencing, build boardwalk bridges, and keep the trail clear.
Conservation Spotlight: Round Pond
Twenty-two years ago, a highly-developable South Hero property containing prime farmland, rare natural communities, and over 1,000 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline was about to go on the market. Fortunately, the Lake Champlain Land Trust, South Hero Land Trust (SHLT), Vermont Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy, banded together to save the land.
The price tag was extremely high, but the partners’ generous members, local donors, and state funders stepped up. The Round Pond Conservation Project resulted in the permanent protection of 140 acres of farmland, 130 acres of woodland, 25 acres of lakeshore wetlands, and 3 miles of trails. After the property was purchased by the partners, the Lake Champlain Land Trust and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board retained a conservation easement on the lakeshore parcels, which were then donated to the State of Vermont as an undeveloped park.
Conservation easements were also placed on the farmland, and the land was sold to a farming family. The Lake Champlain Land Trust and SHLT later built a parking lot and the popular Landon Farm Community Trail that loops through the farm’s sugarbush.
Northern Islands: Scenic Trails and Ecological Hotspots
Hikers, bicyclists, paddlers, and motorists from around the region travel to the Islands to behold the rural landscape and enjoy scenic views of Lake Champlain. Our natural areas not only protect important wildlife habitat, but also offer recreational trails that drive the tourism economy.
Visitors to North Hero can enjoy a short hike at Butternut Hill, while the more adventurous can paddle out to secluded Knight Island (conserved with partners in 2012 and 1990, respectively).
Farther north, visitors can enjoy fishing and picnicking at Alburgh Lakeshore Park (conserved in 2007), or paddle past Alburgh’s Big Bluff Island (conserved in 2014), which is home to a rare lakeshore bluff forest, as well as several rare plants.
Isle La Motte: Protecting Ancient Fossils
The most remote and least populated of the Islands, scenic Isle La Motte is a place that seems frozen in time. Geologic history is on display at our Fisk Quarry and Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserves (conserved in 1999 and 2005, respectively, with our partner the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust). Here, visitors from around the globe travel to view 480-million-year-old fossils embedded within the exposed Chazy Reef formation.
As we celebrate our conservation successes in the Champlain Islands, we recognize the dedication of our landowners and supporters who agree that there should be a balance of natural areas and developed land along the shores of Lake Champlain. This shared conservation legacy would not have been possible without the support of strong community partners, local donors and volunteers, and our generous Lake Champlain Land Trust members.
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