MARLBORO-The Green Mountain Conservancy (GMC) has been granted $285,879 by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board toward the purchase and conservation of the Old Oaks Headwaters Preserve, 200 acres of forested land in Marlboro.
In a news release, GMC said it "is working to raise the rest of the funds from several foundations and the greater Marlboro community, which has used and appreciated this land for generations. This land will be conserved in perpetuity with easements co-held by the Vermont River Conservancy and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board."
The preserve is part of the largely unfragmented 3,000+ acre Harrisville Forest block that provides migration corridors for many species, and is part of the headwaters for the Green River.
"The forest and wetlands, including a series of iconic beaver ponds, hold great ecological and recreational value, providing clean water and climate resilience for human and nonhuman species alike," the GMC said. "Older forests like this one sequester and store significant carbon, contributing to natural climate solutions. Biodiversity within this mixed northern hardwoods forest includes natural communities like Red Spruce-Cinnamon Fern Swamp and species such as bobcat, beaver, and porcupine."
The land is being sold to GMC by members of the Hendricks family, descendants of Walter and Flora Hendricks, who started Marlboro College.
A significant portion of the Marlboro Town Trail between the Potash Hill campus (the former Marlboro College campus) and Marlboro Town Center is in this preserve, and it will continue to be available for hiking and skiing. Access will be from a small parking area off Moss Hollow Road, on Potash Hill land. An existing trail will connect to the Town Trail.
THose who wish to donate to the project may send checks to: Green Mountain Conservancy, P.O. Box 517, Marlboro, VT 05344. You can donate online at greenmountainconservancy.org/donate. For more information, contact the GMC at [email protected] or 802-257-0012.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.