NEWFANE-On Thursday, Aug. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Green Mountain Conservancy (GMC) will hold an informational meeting at Union Hall, 5 Church St., for the community about a new and ongoing effort to conserve 250 acres in Newfane.
The Newfane Village Nature Preserve, as the project is called, began with one family's desire to protect their land and ensure continued public access to it.
The land lies on a ridge between Route 30, the village of Newfane, and the West River. From here, magnificent views of surrounding mountains, the West River, and another nearby nature preserve are visible.
Bisecting stone walls can be found here and one view is that they are from the first farm in the village of Newfane. "The area is treasured by local people who have been using it as a place for respite and recreation," GMC members said.
The property is also a significant wildlife corridor for mammals making their way across southern Vermont from the Green Mountain National Forest to the Connecticut River and beyond, they said.
As confirmed by trail cams and sightings, wildlife such as bobcat, moose, deer, coyotes, and bear use the land for this critical passageway and habitat. Some even remain for extended periods, finding it a safe place to raise their young.
The variety of forest types found on the property offer diverse topography, with high spots, rocky outcrops, and deep ravines which make this land an especially important refuge for species adapting to the increasing weather extremes associated with climate change. At the same time, it acts as a safeguard for watersheds in southern Vermont, including the Connecticut and West River watersheds, and addresses the critical need for increased carbon sequestration.
In its efforts to conserve this property, GMC is holding an informational meeting to share more about the land and its importance to the town and region. Speakers at this event will include Roger Haydock, trail builder and ecologist, and GMC President Mary Ellen Copeland. The event is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit GreenMountainConservancy.org or call 802-257-0012.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.