Vermont Land Trust Property Easements and Stewardship Alex Ache PUB395 June 21 st, 2003

Topics Goals Background What Works What Doesn’t Work Discussions Questions

Goals “….to conserve land for the future of Vermont. VLT does this by providing technical and legal assistance to individuals, communities, and local land trusts helping them achieve local conservation objectives.” “ “The Conservation Stewardship office is responsible for the long- term monitoring of easements to ensure that the conservation goals are upheld in perpetuity.”

Background Established 1977 by Richard Carbon Primarily focus “working the landscape” Frustrations with planning process Regulation is at best an “orderly retreat”. Currently the focus is on working farms Most successful US state land trust Protection of 7% of VT 6,000 “members” 501-C3 NGO

Background Voluntary Easements Purchased Easements Working Farms Working Wood EstheticRecreation State Fed Private

What Works Operating In Vermont Reputation Non Subsidizing Broad scope Appeal to human habitat Legal precedence Publications Scattered approach Tax Breaks Coupling Approach

What Doesn’t Work Operating outside of VT Specification Narrow Focus Choosing sides No publicizing Not purchasing lands

Discussions Motives for farmers “Private Zoning” “Egoist Approach” Diverse Public vs. Single Regulatory Stopping the clock Hamlets of England

Questions?