GMC is raising the funds to purchase 30 acres of forested land contiguous to the 913 acre Deer Run Nature Preserve. This small property hosts several unique natural communities, a multitude of plant and animal species, and a topography typical of lands deforested for sheep grazing in the early 1800's, then subjected to the ravages of weather. It grew back to support this rich forest site, a key part of the critical wildlife corridor from the Green to the White mountains.
Over the centuries since European settlers came to the US, land in southern VT has been developed with too little understanding of, or regard for the long term impacts. We have now become acutely aware that some logging and development practices are having a negative effect on the region's biodiversity, wildlife corridors, ability to store carbon, water systems and its ethical values. We now know that we must take immediate action to correct this situation and restore the environment.
To remediate these issues, large and small parcels of land must be conserved and protected into the future as they become available. Vermont and the federal government share the goal of 30% of land conserved by 2030 and 50% by 2050. This parcel, along with other parcels that GMC is acquiring and conserving, takes us closer to reaching that goal, protecting lands and waters that are still pristine like this one, and remediating negative environmental impacts into the future.
This project is part of GMC's effort to be an integral part of the movement to conserve 30% of the lands across Southern Vermont by 2030 and 50% by 2050, to insure that all life will thrive, that biodiversity will continue across the region, that wildlife will be able to shelter, find food and move with ease across the landscape, that adequate carbon will be sequestered and stored to reverse the effects of climate change and that clean water will be available to all.