Many of our conservation projects have also included a public-access component, and with collaboration from the landowners and conservation partners, we’ve been able to open several pubilc access trails in South Hero. These include the Landon Community Trail, Round Pond State Park trails, Landon-Round Pond Connector, and Tracy Woods Trail.

The Landon Community Trail and the Round Pond State Park trails (both co-managed by the Lake Champlain Land Trust and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation) are open year round for walking, running, snowshoeing, and horse-back riding. A third trail, the Landon-Round Pond Connector, links those two longer trails, and allows all trail users to park at the Landon Community Trail parking area.

The Tracy Woods Trail (also co-managed by the Lake Champlain Land Trust) is our newest public access trail. You can learn more about these and other South Hero trails HERE>>.

The South Hero Recreation Commission also maintains trails in South Hero- the South Hero Recreation Path, which is a rail trail through the Roy Marsh Wildlife Management Area, and another path at Folsom Education and Community Center. We have included a trail map for the Recreation Path here, please direct questions and feedback about the trail to the Recreation Commission. We are actively engaged in working with the Recreation Commission on building new trails in South Hero, so stay tuned for updates!

We are increasingly aware that not everyone experiences nature in the same way, or has the same ability to access nature. We are committed to making our trails, natural areas, and outdoor programs more accessible, welcoming, and safer to people with a variety of different lived experiences. We have two projects happening right now that address this.

First, we are piloting a Adaptive Paddling Naturalist Outing series in partnership with Cathy Webster, the Vermont Disabled Athletic Association, and North Branch Nature Center. As part of this series, we will be providing community members who want to learn about kayaking or get back out on the water, but can’t use a standard kayak with the opportunity to use an adaptive kayak and support for getting on the water. Then, we’ll be bringing naturalists to these events, create a deeper experience for the paddlers. If you’d like to learn more or join us during summer 2023, please email guy@shlt.org.

Second, we are part of a collaborative of land trusts and trail organizations working to bring to create a guide to best practices for developing outdoor access areas (trails, parks, swimming holes, etc…) that are welcoming and accessible to many different users, through infrastructure that meets universal design standards, inclusive outreach materials, and changes to organizational culture. If you’d like to learn more about this project please email emily@shlt.org.