Four Generations of Farming

Guy Goulet’s grandfather emigrated to Vermont from Quebec in the 1940s. His family, including a 3 year old son who became Guy’s father, came with him. After short stints in Lincoln and Jericho, the family purchased a farm in South Hero and set down roots.

Guy always knew he wanted to be a farmer. “My heart was always here,” he says. He met his wife Lori in 2013, at the Ford dealership where she worked and he had his pickup trucks serviced. They have six grown children between them, including Guy’s stepson Brad Isham, who works the farm with them.

Brad will be the next generation to steward this land, and he quotes the adage, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” to explain how it just feels right to him.

A South Hero Farm Family Feeds Local Community

Building on the work of his parents (Guy Sr. and Brenda) and grandparents, Guy, Lori, and Brad have built a thriving farm business, growing high quality hay for the horse market and a vibrant market garden to provide fresh vegetables and fruits for a busy farmstand in Keeler Bay.

The stand grew out of a shared dream to feed their community, and has grown exponentially since opening in 2015. As Guy says, “we’ve met some real good people.” Lori continues, speaking of the relationships they’ve built, and how important it is to her to look out for folks who might be struggling, and make sure they go home with enough to fill their bellies. “It feels good to be able to help,” she says.

But the work of four generations faced the risk of vanishing into history when a critical part of their land base went on the market.

Long-time Supporters of Conservation Step In to Help

This is when their neighbors, Rob & Kathleen Swanson stepped in. A photojournalist, Rob first moved to South Hero in 1985. Soon thereafter he met Kathleen while on assignment at the Burlington Free Press, and together they raised their three daughters here.

The island community of South Hero—with its open spaces, working agricultural landscape, and people —is very important to the family and they credit the community for helping shape the values of their children.

Kathleen is a founding board member of the South Hero Land Trust and once co-owned a market and café in the village that sourced local products, while Rob continues to photograph the natural beauty of the Islands.

Two Families, One Farm, and a Dream for the Future

In 2020 ninety acres of land just to the north of the farm went on the open market. Those ninety acres had been leased and hayed by the Goulets, but now the land was at risk of being subdivided and developed. Kathleen and Rob understood what might be lost if they didn’t step in. A thriving farm that is critical to both food sovereignty and water quality in South Hero could disappear without enough land to make their business viable.

With this looming threat of a sale to a developer, the Swansons bought the property and promised Guy and Lori that they would do everything they could to make sure the land would be part of the Goulet farm forever.

When asked what it felt like to know that their neighbors would do this for them, Guy said simply, “they are family now.”

Since that day, the Swansons and Goulets have worked together—hand in hand—to piece together these fragmented properties to create a contiguous land base for a sustainable farm operation for the Goulets.

Conservation is the Critical Final Step

When asked about the future of this land, Guy wants it to stay a farm forever. Four generations of his family have worked this land, and made this farm what it is today. “We are tied to it,” he says.

Conservation is the final step in making this future possible. While the Swansons and Goulets, working together as neighbors, were able to prevent the land from being sold for development, only conservation will ensure permanent protection, keeping this land a thriving family farm for generations to come.

And this is where South Hero Land Trust and the Vermont Land Trust have stepped in to help. We are working together to protect the land with a conservation easement, which will permanently protect 195 acres of farmland, securing a critical landbase for the Goulet Farm long into the future.

To do this, we need to raise $1,593,500. The great news is that we were able to secure $918,000 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in May, and the Goulets are offering a bargain sale which reduces the project cost by 271,500. We are now working to raise the remaining $350,000 locally.

Over the next six months, we will be working with South Hero Land Trust supporters and community members to raise this final amount. We will all need to come together to protect this special South Hero farm, and ensure that the Goulets are able to continue caring for the land, feeding our community, and protecting water quality in Keeler Bay for long into the future.

After leading South Hero Land Trust for 9 growth-filled years, Emily Alger will step down from her position of Executive Director at the end of 2024. We are thrilled to announce that Guy Maguire, our Director of Programs, will be stepping into this leadership role. We will miss Emily as a daily part of South Hero Land Trust, are grateful for all she has done for the land trust and our community, and wish her all the best in her new adventures with her family. At the same time, the South Hero Land Trust Board and staff are excited about new opportunities for the land trust under Guy’s leadership.

Emily has worked at South Hero Land Trust for over 15 years. After serving as Director of Programs for 6 years, she was appointed Executive Director in 2015. She’s had a hand in everything we do during her time here, including land conservation projects, trail development, environmental education, and farm viability programs. She oversaw the conservation of Tracy Woods and opening of the Tracy Woods Community Trail, expanded the Guide to Agriculture into the interactive website and print map it is today, inspired us to prioritize accessibility in current and future trail projects, and more. Her love of the land and commitment to nurturing the relationships we each have with the land have been guideposts for our growth over the last several years.

“Having grown up on this very island, it has been a particular honor and joy to work closely with the community here to protect the land we love. I have a favorite spot around every corner and in every season. Watching the apple trees bloom in the orchards, hunting frogs and dragonflies at Round Pond, catching up with farmers over the perfect tomato at the Farmers’ Market, and watching the first snowflakes fall over farm fields… this place and the people who live here will always be in my heart. Thank you for inviting me into your kitchens and barns, for trusting me with your hopes and dreams for the future, and for working side by side with me to care for the land. I will miss being a part of the daily life of this community, and am so glad to know that South Hero Land Trust will continue to be in good hands with Guy.”

Emily Alger

Many of you know Guy well. He can be found in the community almost every day, leading outings in our natural areas, building trails, and teaching in our summer camp programs. Guy grew up in Portland, Oregon. Following a lifelong passion for the outdoors led Guy to study restoration ecology and to jobs as a field botanist, stewardship  coordinator, environmental educator, and vegetable farmer. Guy started as Director of Programs soon after he and his wife Danielle moved back to her home state of Vermont in early 2017. Working closely with Emily, Guy has developed a robust set of programs that engage community members in learning about and stewarding the natural world, improving access to the outdoors, and supporting local farm and food businesses. Guy’s diversity of skills, plus affinity for relationship building and improving equity in the conservation field, make him a great fit for our next Executive Director. We are confident in his ability to lead South Hero Land Trust with compassion and commitment over the coming years.

“From when I was young, my parents took me camping, hiking and exploring the waters of the Pacific Northwest. This fostered an early passion for the beauty of nature, and a deep feeling of responsibility towards the land. I also grew up within a community of farmers, gardeners, and great cooks, which kindled my lifelong love for local food and farms. Since then I have pursued opportunities where I can blend these two interests, which is why I was thrilled to join South Hero Land trust back in 2017, and am equally excited and honored to move into this role as executive director.”

~ Guy Maguire

Guy will officially step into the role of Executive Director on January 1. Between now and then he and Emily will work closely with the Board of Directors to facilitate a smooth transition. This will include a gradual handing over of projects and programs from Emily to Guy, and a thoughtful re-organization of staff responsibilities more broadly, so that we will be well placed to hire a new programs staff person in the spring. While some changes are inevitable, we look forward to maintaining our diverse programming, and will continue to move forward with the rebuild of the Recreation Park boardwalk, the building of the Islandacres Farm Trail, and the conservation of the Goulet Farm (amongst many more programs and projects).  If you have any questions about this transition, you are welcome to email Emily at emily@shlt.org

As we look back on the last two and a half decades of land conservation and community building in South Hero, we are so proud of what we have accomplished. Together, we have protected local farms and natural areas, built trails, improved access to local food, educated the next generations of land stewards, and more. Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration. We are excited for all we will do together in the next decade!

Approximately 1 in 4 people in the US live with disabilities, and historically, many outdoor spaces haven’t been designed to include them. Over the past few years, SHLT has increasingly been focusing on this injustice: it’s one of the main drivers behind projects like our inclusive paddles, the rebuilding of the wheelchair accessible boardwalk in the Rec Park, and design plans for the Islandacres Trail, our next major trail project.

We’re grateful to have a strong local partner and mentor in Cathy Webster, Northeast Disabled Athletic Association’s Kayak Program Manager. Earlier this year, we paired with Cathy to design a new project that will deepen our involvement in making our community’s trails and outdoor spaces more accessible for people with disabilities. We’re excited to share that this partnership is one of only 10 groups in the country who were awarded the Partnerships for Disability Access, Inclusion, and Leadership grant - a new grant co-created by the Land Trust Alliance and Disabled Hikers.

This funding allows us to create an Advisory Committee of community members with disabilities, their caregivers and family members, and advocates of the disabled community.

We’re also partnering with a member of the Disabled Students Union at UVM to conduct an audit of trails and outdoor spaces in South Hero. The results of this audit will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee, and by early next summer, we aim to have a list of recommendations to make South Hero’s spaces more accessible, and plans for how to accomplish them.

“Through my work with NDAA, I have seen the power of inclusive access to the outdoors for people with disabilities. I am thrilled that South Hero Land Trust is working to increase opportunities for inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation, and look forward to working with them in the coming years to expand upon our shared programs and vision.”

~ Cathy Webster, Northeast Disabled Athletics Association

If you spent time exploring South Hero’s trails, parks, and gardens recently, you may have run into our two incredible interns, Parker Rouse and Naomi Cocker. Students in the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School, Parker and Naomi brought knowledge, energy, and a great sense of humor to our community this summer, and we miss them already!

As they head into another school year, we wanted to say thank you for all they accomplished during their time with us.

They were out and about every day caring for our trails, maintaining the South Hero Community Gleaning Garden and Folsom Learning Garden, co-leading our summer camp programs, undertaking the first phase of an accessibility audit of our outdoor spaces, and more.

Parker brought such pride and love to his work growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs in our gardens.

Naomi is an expert chainsaw wielder, clearing fallen trees and making sure that our trails were open and safe.

They both built strong relationships with the students in our school and summer camp programs and really made an impact on their lives. We hope they will always feel at home in South Hero and can’t wait to see what they do next!

If you’d like to send your thanks or well wishes to Parker and Naomi, please email guy@shlt.org

Folsom students gather to hear the plan for dismantling the board walk.

The first official workday on the boardwalk rebuild at the South Hero Recreation Park was particularly special. It was a sunny September afternoon, just after school got out at Folsom Educational and Community Center. At the entrance of the Park, South Hero Land Trust Director of Programs, Guy Maguire, circled up with our first volunteer crew. Along with five middle schoolers and SHLT board member Bob Buermann, Don Pierson joined us to begin dismantling the existing boardwalk.

Don worked with his son Stefan to build the first half of the boardwalk in 2008, as an Eagle Scout Project (the second half was the Eagle Scout Project of another local teen, Allen Wilder, in 2009). The boardwalk made it possible for Stefan’s brother to access the Park. Stefan passed away only a few years later, but his legacy has lived on as students and families visit the park via the boardwalk every day. This fall, Don and his wife Bernadette have been working side by side with a new generation of Folsom students to rebuild the boardwalk that has meant so much to his family, seeing them use and love the park as their children did. It’s an honor to have them, in many ways, become the heart of this project. As Guy Maguire says,

“This boardwalk has been essential in helping us bring students into the Rec Park to learn about the natural world for years now. But after hearing Don and Bernadette’s story, and the stories of community members who’ve come to help with the rebuild, it’s hard to not come away with a deep reverence for this structure and what it represents to the people of South Hero.”

Since the first day, we’ve made a lot of progress. We removed most of the existing decking and sleepers (the big beams that the boardwalk rests on) and are replacing them with new locust wood. Don and Bernadette are two of many volunteers who’ve shown up to make this project happen; it’s been a real community effort.

A huge thank you to our many volunteers and a special shout out to Bob Buermann and the CIDER ramp crew, Don and Bernadette Pierson, Kathy Magill, the Folsom middle school students who’ve been coming after school each week. Thanks also to the Town of South Hero for allocating ARPA funding for this project, to Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Sunshine Fund for their contribution, and to Treehouse Hardwoods and Lumber for their support. We have more work parties planned for November, details at shlt.org/events.

Deconstruction begins.

Installation of new footers and repair of the existing joists

The new boardwalk takes shape

Spring 2024 Newsletter

In April we said Thank You! to Grand Isle County farmers and food producers at a dinner hosted with the Grand Isle and Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation Districts and Healthy Roots Collaborative. It was a lovely evening with farmers at Snow Farm Winery with food from Two Heroes Brewery. Local farmer Nick Lane had the following to say:

“The farmer dinner was a nourishing reminder that we cultivate more than just crops - we grow communities bound by a shared reverence for this land and our legacy as stewards. Gathering with our farming community reaffirmed the importance of breaking bread together, sharing hard-won wisdom, and forging the bonds that keep our agricultural traditions thriving for generations to come.”

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Group photo from our Natural Dyes workshop with Christel Nase of Meadow Lane Macrame

Not many libraries would be open to having a butchery workshop on their ground floor or painting among the stacks. But the Worthen Library (along with the Healthy Roots Collaborative) has been our co-conspirator for the last five years in bringing land and food-based fun to the community throughout the winter months through our Winter Wednesdays series.

As Guy Maguire, our Director of Programs, says, “we can conserve all the habitat we want, but conservation is ultimately empty if there isn’t a group of people who care for and who want to be stewards of that land.” Christine Poracro, Farm & Food Business Coordinator for the Healthy Roots Collaborative, adds “giving people the opportunity to connect with each other, local food, nature, art, and community has created a vibrant network that contributes to the health and vitality of our community year-round.”

Over the course of three months, some amazing local folks shared their passions and we learned how to paint chickadees, identify and learn about plants and animals through phone apps, butcher a lamb, make hot sauce, create cocktails and mocktails with local ingredients, make fresh handmade pasta, and use ingredients from the garden to create beautiful natural dyes.

Winter Wednesdays help South Hero residents and visitors connect with each other and the land around us. Library Director, Keagan Calkins, says this series is “something wonderful and powerful.” A huge thank you to our local and local-ish teachers: Aprille Soons Palmer, Chuck Hulse, Mary Lake of Can-Do Shearing, chef Jackie Major, bartender Matt Farkas, Gloria Ruvalcaba of Grand Isle Pasta and Christel Nase of Meadow Lane Macrame.

Naomi Cocker - Outdoor Access & Stewardship Intern

Parker Rouse - Environmental Ed & Stewardship Intern

Spring 2024 Newsletter

We are excited to welcome two interns to South Hero for the summer, through the University of Vermont Rubenstein School’s Perennial Internship Program. These students will be learning about the unique way South Hero Land Trust combines land conservation, environmental education, and stewardship of the land while supporting our programs through on-the-ground work. We hope you will enjoy connecting with Naomi and Parker as you explore South Hero’s trails, check out our gardens, or join us at an event.

Naomi Cocker is our Outdoor Access & Stewardship Intern. Studying for her BS in Natural Resources, she is a member of UVM’s Timbersports team. She has hands-on experience in ecological restoration, through work as Invasive Species Technician for the Mad River Valley Conservation Commissions. Her studies have fostered a strong belief in the importance of providing access to the outdoors for all ages, abilities and perspectives. She recently started birding and looks forward to starting her life list! Naomi will be leading our trail stewardship efforts this summer, and working on projects to increase the accessibility the outdoors.

Parker Rouse is our Environmental Education & Stewardship Intern. Studying for his BS in Applied Ecology, he also completed an internship with the Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Growing up in Minnesota, Parker grew up loving lakes and farms, which he’ll get plenty of in the Islands. In his free time he enjoys biking, sewing, and eating watermelon. He hopes to learn more about how to responsibly conserve natural areas while including the surrounding community in the process during his time with South Hero Land Trust. Parker will be co-leading our summer camp program with Guy, as well as caring for the South Hero Community Gleaning Garden and Folsom Learning Garden.

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Protecting the Future Forest

Earth Day marked the beginning of our 2nd year of active restoration work at the South Hero Recreation Park, the public trail and forest adjacent to Folsom School. Volunteers and staff got muddy together grubbing out old growth honeysuckle plants and fixing plant protector tubes on last year’s plantings. On Green Up Day, more volunteers came to plant another 70 native trees and shrubs, and remove more invasive plants.

With the invasive emerald ash borer firmly established in the Islands, our goal for the project is to replant native trees and shrubs under the ash overstory while removing invasive species so there will be a generation of young native trees to take the place of the dying ash.

We are also using this site as a demonstration project—a place where students and other community members learn about the plight of the ash trees, and how get involved in protecting forests on public lands and their own backyards. Many thanks to our partners in this work, including VT Urban and Community Forestry, the South Hero Congregational Church, South Hero Recreation Commission, and many local volunteers (including Folsom students)!

Some of our amazing Green Up Day volunteers

The Water Wigglers boardwalk, built by Eagle Scouts Stefan Pierson and Allen Wilder, is ready for replacement

Rebuilding for Accessibility

This summer we are also taking on another project at the Recreation Park. With funding from Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Sunshine Fund and the Town of South Hero (ARPA funding), we are rebuilding and enhancing the Water Wigglers boardwalk, which makes the wetland within the Park accessible to people with all kinds of mobility challenges. The boardwalk will be under construction for several months, so please look out for our signs and use the north access point for visiting the Park.

If you want to help with either of these projects, contact Guy at Guy@SHLT.org !

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Community members “Walk the Watershed” and learn about Keeler Bay

The blue waters surrounding South Hero are part of what makes this place feel like home for many of us. Lake Champlain is where we fish, boat, swim, and watch the sun rise and set. It plays a crucial role in the local economy and serves as a source of drinking water for many in town.

We all have a role to play in protecting our water quality, but it can feel overwhelming to get started. With the newly released Keeler Bay Action Plan, local residents and experts are already working on projects that will improve the water quality in the bay and enhance its surrounding ecosystem.

In 2021, the Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District and South Hero Land Trust began working with local residents to develop the Action Plan. With funding and support from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, we’ve identified ready-to-build projects throughout the watershed. Projects were ranked on their potential impact and feasibility. Three were prioritized: reducing stormwater runoff at the Keeler Bay Fish & Wildlife Access Point, restoring native shoreline vegetation along Sunrise Drive; and restoring the floodplain along the stream adjacent to Community Lane. Work has already begun on this last one! SHLT and the Conservation District are working with the landowners and Fitzgerald Environmental to develop a final design this year.

Smaller-scale projects can also improve water quality in Lake Champlain. That’s why, in 2024, we are continuing our Water Quality Block Parties with the Conservation District. These informal gatherings focus on ways for people to make changes on their own properties.

Fall 2023 Newsletter

Naomi Heindel, Executive Director of North Branch Nature Center, talking with kayakers at Lake Iroquois in Williston.

South Hero resident Cathy Webster has been helping people with physical disabilities get out on the water for the last 8 years. Inspired by one of her physical therapy clients, who dreamt of finding a way to return to paddling, Cathy created an Adaptive Kayaking Program that is now one of the programs of the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (NDAA).

“People with physical limitations are only able to get so far out into nature… having the ability to paddle freely along the shore and into coves opens up a new world to them. Having someone paddle along and answer questions and point out wildlife, and patterns in birds’ behaviors is all new. The excitement it brings to so many was wonderful to see!!” - Cathy Webster

Over time, Cathy has built an impressive fleet of kayaks adapted with supportive seats, stabilizing outriggers, and specialty paddles that allow individuals with a diverse array of physical disabilities and neurodiversities to explore Vermont’s waterways independently and under their own power.

South Hero Land Trust and Cathy share the belief that nature is for everyone, which is foundational to the new partnership between SHLT, North Branch Nature Center (NBNC), and NDAA. Starting this year, we piloted a series of 4 naturalist-guided inclusive kayaking events, during which SHLT and NBNC staff joined kayakers to explore and learn about the plants, birds, turtles, and other animals spotted along the water.

“I really enjoyed hearing and learning about the different wildlife that was in the area, especially since it was a new area for me.” - Program Participant

We had so much fun exploring nature with these kayakers, and are grateful to Outdoor Gear Exchange, Vermont Community Foundation, and the Land Trust Alliance for helping to make this experience possible. And many thanks to the Cathy Webster, and the naturalists at North Branch Nature Center for your partnership!

“I really enjoyed connecting with folks on the water while sharing facts and ecological context about the plants, birds and habitats around us. I learned a great deal from the participants too. NBNC is committed to expanding our programs for those with disabilities, and this partnership has been a great step toward that growth.” - Catherine Griset, NBNC

To learn more about the Adaptive Kayaking program, go to disabledathletics.org/programs

Fall 2023 Newsletter

In September, Jenna sat down with Molly Varner, District Manager for Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District, to talk water, action planning, and block parties.

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Jenna: For people who aren’t familiar with Natural Resources Conservation Districts, can you give a quick introduction to what they are and what they do?

Molly: Vermont’s Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCD) were created in 1939. Our mandate is to preserve the lands, water, forests, and wildlife of the state.

We’re really community-led. Each NRCD has a Board of Supervisors, who are all local landowners. We collaborate a lot with people and communities to encourage voluntary actions to keep our air, water, and soil healthy. We do everything from monitoring and assessing to education and outreach. I want to deliver and bring to people the knowledge and resources they need.

Jenna: How did Grand Isle County NRCD connect with South Hero Land Trust? Can you describe this partnership?

Molly: A lot of the work of the land trust and conservation district complements each other, and when we were brainstorming the idea for the Keeler Bay Action Plan in 2020, teaming up with the Land Trust felt like a no brainer. Your connections and insights have been a huge part of this plan's success. I really believe the Keeler Bay Action Plan wouldn’t have been as successful if we didn’t have this partnership.

Jenna: Let’s talk about that Keeler Bay Action Plan. What are the long-term goals, and what do you want to see in the next year?

Molly: Our long-term goals are simple, yet ambitious – we want to improve water quality.

It’s ambitious because this is not going to happen overnight. We’ve identified over 25 projects that will reduce runoff. But that’s just the first step. We are currently drafting designs for 6 of the projects we identified. Next steps will be to apply for funding but it could be 1-2 years before we “break ground.”

If folks want to learn more, vacd.org/KeelerBayActionPlan is a great resource.

Jenna: I know the Keeler Bay Action Plan is about to wrap up, but as you said, it’s the “first step” of this project. If folks want to get involved, what can they do?

Molly: Simply because this project is about to conclude doesn’t mean our work in Keeler Bay will end. We’ll always be looking for projects that further our goal of cleaning up the Bay. I hope the plan and the types of projects identified will inspire others to look differently at their land, what they’re doing well, and what could be enhanced. We had a ton of community involvement, including residents who attended our education events to learn about water quality or invited us onto their properties to identify projects. South Hero is made up of many private parcels and, if our work inspires even a fraction of them to make positive changes on their land, that’s a success in my book.

And we want to hear about it! I’d love to see this model take hold in other towns! In this small, 7-square mile watershed, we found 25 projects. There’s a lot of potential for expansion to other areas in the islands.

Jenna: There are a lot of other ways folks can protect water quality, right?

Molly: We have a wide scale of opportunities – from giant water quality projects that are really complex, to things as simple as planting a few trees in your yard or installing a rain barrel. That’s what we’ve been trying to communicate through the “Block Parties” that we’ve been working on with SHLT – fun community gatherings that will help us go “to the source” – the people in different communities – and we can deliver the resources solutions, stories, experiences, etc., that are unique to them.

Block Party in Grand Isle

This summer, we’ve had two Block Parties. Our first was in North Hero, and focused on strategies to enhance water quality through shoreline practices. In early September, we had a Block Party in Grand Isle, focused on identifying potential water quality issues on private roads and cost-effective solutions.

Jenna: And we’ll be holding a Block Party in South Hero next year, right?

Molly: Yes! Next spring or summer.

Jenna: If people have ideas for Block Parties in South Hero or have questions, how can they get in touch with you?

Molly: Please reach out! My email is molly.gicnrcd@gmail.com. I’m also happy to chat by phone at (845) 323-2153.

Fall 2023 Newsletter

If you ask one of our campers what they did at camp this summer, you might hear something like...

But if you dig a little deeper, you might also hear about…

… nature scavenger hunts, planting kale in the Folsom Learning Garden, and visits to local farms.

This summer, South Hero Land Trust led three summer camps for students from across Grand Isle County. In our Farmers & Foragers Camps, 7-9 year old children learned about wild and cultivated foods. They made tea from garden and woodland plants, filled nature journals with dried flowers and weather records, and went on farmer-led tours of local farms. In our Explorers Camp, 11-13 year old children biked around South Hero and beyond. These adventurous campers learned about water quality visiting Round Pond, saw farm conservation at work at Snow Farm Winery and Islandacres Farm, and learned bike safety skills.

“Thank you for organizing and implementing camps like this for our children. They are such an essential part in helping the children appreciate and take care of nature!!” - Parent of a camper

For the campers, each week was full of fun and adventure. From our perspective, we love to see the growth of these young and inspiring land stewards. Every day, we fostered appreciation for nature and community, building a foundation that will last the campers far beyond the end of the week.

It was also a lot of fun! At Explorers Camp, we held competitive games of “bike limbo” and “slow racing” (testing balance by going as slow as possible). We checked out the South Hero Bicentennial Museum, and Guy led a bike ride across the Island Line causeway to Burlington. For many, this was their longest bike ride ever!

In the two Farmers & Foragers Camps, we took full advantage of the Rec Park, following animal tracks into the woods, catching (and releasing) frogs in the marsh, and building bee hotels from reed grass.

We did taste tests of crops in the Folsom Learning Garden, and delivered produce to Food for Thought. Overall, we shared adventures with 40 children; connected with 10 local farms and organizations; and created countless memories for the campers. We’re so grateful to the volunteers who helped out along the way and made these camps such a success!

“My kids LOVED it and came home each day happy, and were more interested in eating veggies and telling me about plants to help their bug bites! They even showed me how to make chopsticks, and used them for dinner! What a great camp!” - Parent of a camper

We’re also very grateful to be partnering with the Grand Isle Supervisory Union, which has been using ARPA funding to cover the costs of these camps for the past three years. SHLT strongly believes that nature is for everyone. This year, given the camps’ popularity, we increased the number of camp weeks and made each a full day program (rather than half) so that more children could participate. And finally, we’re grateful for this opportunity to connect with our next generation of leaders and land stewards.

Summer 2023 Newsletter

This May, SHLT staff met local 3rd and 4th grade students in the Folsom Learning Garden and finally let them do the one thing they always ask to do: get some shovels and dig a bunch of holes. While fun is always a goal in the garden, we dug these holes for good reason: to assess the soil in different parts of the garden and determine the best spot for the Folsom Food Forest.

Last winter, SHLT staff worked with Folsom teachers Dani Holm and Megan Branon to apply for the Vermont Garden Network’s Fruit and Nut Tree Grant.

“Over the past few years our collaborative work with the SHLT has empowered the 3rd and 4th graders to take on leadership roles in Folsom’s Learning Garden. The interdisciplinary nature of working in the garden has allowed students’ learning to come to life. Students are able to witness first hand, the cyclical patterns of seasons, plants, and animals that we speak so much of in science class. They seamlessly integrate their math skills as they calculate spacing for native plants. They consider the history of the land on which they’ve been called to steward and pour over research to determine which plants will thrive best. These students are already thick as thieves with this little diversified slice of land so being deeply involved in the design and implementation of expanding the gardens to include a food forest has been very exciting work for all of us.”

- Dani Holm, Folsom 3rd/4th teacher

We envisioned a collaborative project in which students would be involved in the creation of a multi-level edible landscape in the garden, complete with dwarf fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, a shady seating area, and strawberries underneath - in other words, a food forest! We were thrilled to be awarded the grant by the Vermont Garden Network, and soon got to work preparing for the spring project.

After assessing the site conditions, students worked in groups to select species to plant, decide where they should go in the garden, think about how to keep them safe from deer, and perhaps most importantly, what should happen to the (literal) fruits of their labor! Then the groups presented their plans, debated the various aspects of each, and voted on their favorite elements to create an overall plan for the site.

Finally, the students joined us for two work parties in the garden, to “dig a bunch of holes” and plant the berry bushes, vines, and fruit trees. We can’t wait to see how their forest grows!

Summer 2023 Newsletter

If you’ve been following the news in South Hero, you may know that South Hero has a new Town Conservation Commission. The Commission is made up of South Hero residents who deeply care about the natural world and local farms, and want to find ways to steward them and connect people with them—just like we do at South Hero Land Trust. One of the first projects of the new Commission was a partnership effort with South Hero Land Trust and the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife: developing a series of Community Values Maps.

What Do You Love About South Hero?

As a community based conservation organization, South Hero Land Trust is guided by our connection and commitment to the land and people of South Hero. Knowing what you value most about our Island home is vital as we develop projects and programs.

Together with the Conservation Commission, we reached out to South Hero residents and landowners of all ages, and asked them two questions. What places do you love in South Hero? And why? We hosted two community gatherings, (one in person and one online) and invited attendees to circle the places in South Hero they value, and explain why those places matter to them.

This Island is Our Home

It was a powerful experience to be at the table during these gatherings, hearing each person share why they love this place. There were many common themes, like valuing South Hero’s recreational trails and access to Lake Champlain (also called “The Blue Stuff”). And there were unique perspectives too, like appreciation for the bedrock geology of the Islands or the history of the Island Line railroad. There was no question that everyone in the room felt a deep sense of homecoming when crossing the Sandbar onto the Island.

Mapping our Values

Our colleagues at the Department of Fish & Wildlife used the data gathered to develop a series of maps of South Hero. These maps will help South Hero Land Trust and the Conservation Commission understand what land is most important to the community for recreation, farms, community gatherings, and other purposes. The final maps are under development, but soon we will be able to see which farm fields are vital to vibrant farm operations in South Hero, and feed our community. We will see see the walking routes and views of the lake that bring joy to our daily excursions. And we will see the places that are worthy of protection because they bring us a sense of peace and connection to the natural world.

At South Hero Land Trust, we plan to use the maps to guide our strategic conservation planning. What places in South Hero still need to be protected? Where should we focus on building trails or other public access areas? Do farms have access to the land base they need to be successful? Are there needs in the community that are not being met? How can land conservation help?

We look forward to engaging more with you and the entire South Hero community more as we enter this planning phase. You can check out the final report HERE>> and the final maps HERE>>. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Emily at Emily@shlt.org

Summer 2023 Newsletter

Since the last ice age, South Hero’s landscapes have changed quite a lot. The land where we live now was once a seabed; then forests and meadows; then cleared for sheep and dairy farms. Most recently, some of the forests have grown back, alongside development of new houses and roads. And now, with the arrival of the invasive emerald ash borer, our landscape is poised to change dramatically again.

Ash trees make up an estimated 40-60% of all the trees in Grand Isle County, a higher percentage than any other county in Vermont. With 95-99% of all ash expected to succumb to this invasive insect, we are poised to lose half our County’s mature forests in the next 10-15 years. This will be a “landscape level ecological upheaval,” to borrow a phrase from Nancy Patch, Grand Isle County Forester. It will also have devestating cultural impact for the Abenaki people, whose lives have been entwined with the ash beginning with their creation story. But there is much we can do to save our forests.

South Hero Land Trust is working with volunteers on an ecological forest management project at the South Hero Recreation Park. By removing invasive species and planting climate-forward tree species that can thrive in the shade and wet conditions in the understory, we are hoping to protect the future of this forest for future generations. It all goes to plan, the tree plantings will fill the gaps left behind by the dying ash trees. This proactive approach allows us to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem in the face of climate change and invasive emerald ash borer, protecting the homes of many species of wild plant and animal life which call the Recreation Park home. It will also preserve the habitat of the ash trees, so that resistant varieties can be protected and one day re-planted.

With funding from the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program and the South Hero Congregational Church, we hope this small project can not only save the future of this public forest, but also act as a demonstration site and catalyst for inspiring forest landowners across the Islands to take up similar efforts.

Many other experimental projects like ours are being carried out across Vermont and the Northeast. Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen. But we can learn from them and work together to make sure our forests thrive and continue to provide the benefits like biodiversity, clean air, clean water, carbon sequestration, and natural beauty.

If you want to learn more about ecological forest management, or funding opportunities or support available to forest landowners, email Guy at Guy@shlt.org

Fall 2022 Newsletter

Underwater Forests

Margaret Murphy from Vermont Fish & Wildlife dipped her hand into the shallow water beneath her kayak, gently combing through the leaves of aquatic plants as her momentum carried her on. Unlike invasive Eurasion milfoil, these native plants actually benefit the lake, she explained to the group of paddlers gathered around her during the recent “Kayak the Bay” event at Keeler Bay with the Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District (GICNRCD).

Not only do they clean the water by filtering pollutants and uptaking excess nutrients, they also provide habitat for many species of native fi sh, mussels, insects, amphibians and other aquatic life that call the lake home. Rather than look at underwater vegetation as “weeds”, Margaret encouraged us to see instead a thriving underwater forest, an ecosystem that is perhaps just as beautiful and important as any forest on land.

Despite its beauty, the paddlers were also able to see up close some of the problems in Keeler Bay. As we crossed into deeper water, floating mats of detached Eurasion milfoil drifted by. This invasive plant thrives wherever native aquatic vegetation is disturbed or removed. It also grows where erosion from creeks causes rocky shallows to get covered in silt. Once it’s established, it can out-compete native vegetation, reducing diversity of aquatic plants, fish, and mollusks. When it gets dislodged, it can gather in huge floating mats that surround beaches, docks, and boat ramps, clogging access to the lake for everyone.

The good news is, by addressing streambank and shoreline erosion, we can not only keep invasive milfoil at bay, but also protect water quality. Throughout the paddle Margaret pointed out trees and shrubs along the shoreline and how they were anchoring the soil, preventing erosion that brings sedimentation and excess nutrients to the bay, such as phosphorus, the main culprit behind the cyanobacteria blooms of increasing frequency.

It Takes a Village

The “Kayak the Bay” event was an outreach component of a larger project by SHLT and GICNRCD. With funding and support from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, we are working together with state and regional water quality experts and local community members to assess water quality issues and identify potential solutions in Keeler Bay.

This past spring, GICNRCD & SHLT convened a local working group of residents, shoreline landowners, farmers, and business owners to lead the project. During the summer, the team hired Fitzgerald Environmental, a well-respected local water quality consulting firm, to begin gathering data and putting together a “Watershed Action Plan” for Keeler Bay. This plan will act as a guide as our community responds to the challenges facing the bay, including excess phosphorus and other issues.

During the fall the team is reaching out to local landowners who may be interested in doing a potential water quality project on their land. Projects may include wetland restoration, road drainage improvements, buffer plantings, and more. Once we assemble a handful of preliminary project designs with landowners who are willing to partner with us, we’ll have the necessary ingredients to seek grant funding to pursue some of these projects to clean up the bay. The great thing is that partnering landowners will not only benefit in terms of reducing property loss caused by erosion of streambanks or shorelines, but also know they are making a positive impact on the health of the lake.

We All Play a Part

Back at the paddle, Margaret stressed the importance of everyone getting involved. Whether you own land in the watershed or not, she explained, anyone who cares about the lake can make a difference. She shared some easy tips we all can do, such as “raising the blade” when we mow so our lawns can filter rainwater more efficiently, and picking up our pet waste to prevent excess nutrients and pathogens from getting into the lake.

For those interested in learning more about the challenges Keeler Bay and what you can do to help, project lead Molly Varner at GICNRCD, with help from SHLT, put together an interactive online Storymap of the project. This interactive resource will take you on a multimedia journey throughout the greater Lake Champlain watershed, with special focus on Keeler Bay in South Hero.

>> Check out the Keeler Bay Storymap at:

vacd.org/KeelerBayActionPlan

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (LC-00A00695-0) to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Community Gleaning Garden Settles In

On a warm September afternoon, South Hero Land Trust staff, board members, and volunteers gathered at the South Hero Community Gleaning Garden for a good old fashioned barn raising. Or in this case, a shed raising.

As the work party got underway the garden buzzed with activity: measuring and cutting lumber, nailing and screwing together the framing, and even harvesting peppers and tomatoes bound for local food shelves. Pretty soon it was time to raise the last wall together. Construction of the shed was the final step in settling the Gleaning Garden into its new home at the Landon Farm.

Over the last three years the garden has grown into a core land trust program, thanks to the collaboration of many partners: Kelsey and Phelan O’Connor of Pigasus Meats provide land and water for the garden (adjacent to the Landon Community Trail); the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation funded the garden’s move to its new home; SHLT board member Bob Buermann was the lead engineer for shed construction; local volunteers Steve Robinson, Dave Hobbs and Ashley Williams have been essential in plowing, planting, and weeding this summer; Peter Jenkins from the Healthy Roots Collaborative coordinates distribution of the produce to regional food shelves, and the list goes on.

A Confluence on the Land

One of our goals at the land trust is to connect people to the land in ways that are meaningful to them, whether they enjoy recreating outdoors, working on a farm or in a woodlot, or eating local food. At a recent event at the garden, Emily Alger, SHLT Executive Director, opened her arms to encompass the land around her: “this is where all our programs come together.”

As she shared with the group, this place is a confluence of our programs and values. It is located on the conserved Landon Farm * (home of Pigasus Meats), next to the trailhead of the Landon Community Trail, with Round Pond State Park just across the road. The land here combines vital wildlife habitat, a thriving farm business, public access trails through the woods and to the shoreline, and a large wetland complex contributing to flood resilience and water protection in Lake Champlain.

Now home to our gleaning garden, it’s also a place where people come together to grow food for their neighbors and a lab space for outdoor education programs.

Community Conservation

Collaboration is a core value of SHLT, and the Gleaning Garden project is a great place to see that value in action. It’s a project that steps beyond a traditional conservation project, into what we call community conservation. As a community conservation organization, we work with diverse partners to address the most pressing issues facing our community (like climate change, racial and socioeconomic inequity, mental health, and barriers to accessing healthy food) with land based solutions.

This month the garden team, including volunteers, partners, and SHLT staff, are back to harvest the final rows of cabbage and fall greens, bound for the Grand Isle Food Shelf, C.I.D.E.R, and migrant farmworker food boxes assembled by the Healthy Roots Collaborative. The new home for the gleaning garden at Pigasus Meats, and shed for tools, are already making it possible for us to grow more food and take better care of our public access trails. It may only be 60 square feet of land and a small shed, but with the help of our partners and volunteers, it’s enough to make a difference in our community.

*The Landon Farm was originally conserved in 2003 by four partners: SHLT, Vermont Land Trust, Lake Champlain Land Trust, and the Nature Conservancy, with funding from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (and many others).

Asking Hard Questions

Over the last year the staff and board at South Hero Land Trust have been asking some difficult questions. What role are we, as a land conservation organization, playing in upholding racist policies and systems? And what role can we play in dismantling those policies and systems? How are we acting as gatekeepers to public land and land in general? How can we work actively to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have access to and feel welcome on our trails, beaches, parks? How can we ensure that farmers of color have access to farmland in our community? And how can we lift up the stories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color on the land and in our community so that we all feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who we are?

From Learning to Action

You may have read about the learning journey we have undertaken, and you may have joined us for one of our Winter Wednesday events with the Worthen Library. I feel incredibly grateful to our speakers and panelists, who so generously and bravely shared their stories and experiences with us—both the beautiful and the hard. While we still have a lot to learn as a white-led organization, we are also committed to taking action. This is why we are thrilled to have received funding from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets for a two year project with Folsom Educational and Community Center.

The focus of this project is exploring the integration of anti-racist education with our Farm to School and nature-based programs at the school. Using the lenses of storytelling, art, music, agriculture, food, and land stewardship, students and teachers will engage with the stories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Vermont.

Additionally, we will be assessing and overhauling our own library of resources and farm to school lesson plans, field trip outlines, garden lessons, service projects, etc. to include voices and perspectives of BIPOC in our communities.

Two Folsom students eating ground cherries for the first time during the fall 2021 afterschool food and farm club with SHLT

On the path towards healing

One way we have already begun this work is through participating in the Abenaki Land Link Project, a partnership between the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT). The project started in 2020 when 15 Vermont growers were given seeds of traditional Abenaki crop varieties such as Algonquin squash, Calias flint corn, true cranberry, skunk and Mohawk beans, among others. Each partner grew and harvested their crops, then returned them to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. They in turn distribute it to Abenaki tribal members, especially to elders, those with disabilities, and those who are food insecure. They also collecting the seeds, to ensure these varieties don't go extinct.

In 2021, the project now has 40 growers, including South Hero Land Trust/Folsom School. This spring, Folsom students in the 3rd and 4th grade sowed a packet of true Abenaki cranberry beans, while also learning about the history and importance of these and other traditional foods.

Abenaki ‘true’ cranberry beans growing in the Folsom Learning Garden as part of the Abenaki Land link Project.

During a recent event organized by NOFA to celebrate the 2nd year of the project, Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation addressed the crowd, saying he doesn't view this project as a charity, but a way to reconcile the past injustices done to the Abenaki and other native peoples, who have survived despite wars, disease, theft of land, familial separation, and the eugenics movement. He then told the story of how the first European settlers were starving, until the Wampanaog taught them how to grow native crops such as corn, beans, and squash. So, this project, explained Chief Don, is a way for the descendants of the settlers to show gratitude for that gift, and start the process of reconciliation.

In the first week of October, students came back to the Folsom Learning Garden to harvest two large buckets of beans they'd planted earlier this year, dried and ready to give back to the Abenaki people. Now, just as these crops will nourish Abenaki people through the winter, they will also provide a gateway to help us begin this process of healing through education, connection, and partnership with the Black, Indigenous and People of Color who have been too often left out of the story of food and farms in Vermont.

We are looking forward to more to come! Those curious to learn more about the Abenaki Land Link Program can go here for a storymap of the project created by VT Farm to Plate.

Apples abound in fall at Allenholm Farm in South Hero. Image courtesy of Alenholm Farm.

by Emily Alger

A Year of Changes at Allenholm

I called on Ray C. Allen, fifth generation farmer at Allenholm Farm, on a blustery March day. Looking out at the bare branches of the apple trees, it was hard to imagine they would soon be covered in pink and white blossoms, then green leaves, and finally be laden with heavy fruit.

2020 was a year filled with change and challenge, even beyond the effects of the pandemic. The spring shutdown and ongoing restrictions impacted the business in many ways. But then Ray’s father, Ray W., was taken and moved to a nursing facility off-island. His stepmother, Pam, passed away on Christmas Day. Ray C. stepped in to keep the orchard open, and is now looking to the future of the farm. Allenholm Farm has a 150 year-old family legacy and an important spot in the heart of many Islanders.

151 Years on a South Hero Farm

Reuban Allen and his son Horace built Allenholm Farm in 1870, and it is the oldest commercial apple orchard still operating in Vermont. The Allen family grows 25 acres of apples, as well as tart cherries, blueberries, and raspberries. Many an Islander and visitor have picked their first apple at Allenholm Farm, during the busy pick-your-own season. The farm is both a historical gem in Vermont and a vibrant part of our community today.

Ray W Allen with his father Reuban. Image courtesy of Allehnolm Farm,

The Conservation Project that Started it All

The farm was conserved by Ray W. and Pam Allen in 1997, the first conservation project ever undertaken by South Hero Land Trust (in partnership with the Vermont Land Trust and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board). In fact, the conservation of Allenholm Farm was the impetus for the creation of the South Hero Land Trust. With a great location on South Street, good soils, and municipal water, the farm would have been a prime spot for development. But as the fourth generation of Allens to manage the farm, Ray W. and Pam were determined to protect the land and allow future generations of Allens to grow apples on the land. They were proud of their children, grandchildren, and even greatgrandchildren, many of whom grew up on or near the farm and might carry it into the future.

The Fifth Generation Looks to the Future

Ray C. grew up on the farm, and raised his own five children there. It was clear, as we sat overlooking the orchard, that Ray C. feels deeply connected to the land, and knows every inch of it. He also clearly feels a profound love for the community and has a strong sense of responsibility to South Hero and the Islands

(exemplified by his long career with the County Sheriff ’s office, which he now leads as Sheriff). His son Andy, from the sixth generation of Allens, is working at his side this year.

Two faces we will miss seeing this year: Ray W Allen and his wife Pam Allen. Image courtesy of Allenholm Farm.

2020 may have been a devastating year in many ways, but there were bright spots. When Ray C. mentioned the pick-your-own season last fall, I braced myself for a story of hardship. On the contrary, it was one of their best seasons yet. Ray C. brightened with the memory of visitors old and new, from across Vermont, coming to spend a day in the orchard: picking apples, savoring a maple creemee, and passing the time with the Allens. Ray C. set up a special science experiment for the kids, and was pleased to welcome the newest members of families who’ve been visiting for generations.

And this enthusiasm seems characteristic of Ray’s outlook on the future. He is looking forward to the growing season, and he and Andy are full of ideas. The orchard will be opening this summer, and local baker Julia Small will be keeping up with the handmade pies, as well as providing other treats for visitors. You’ll still be able to get the best maple creemee around at the farm store. Ray C. is also looking forward to bringing one of his favorite fair foods to the orchard, cotton candy. The animals in the petting paddock have all moved to good homes, but there will still be a friendly face to welcome you. Allenholm Farm, along with many local farm stands and farm stores will be opening for the summer season soon! You can get the latest updates on farm and food offerings, hours, etc... in the Northwest Vermont Grown Guide to Agriculture at www.northwestvermontgrown.com. And South Hero Land Trust will be printing an updated Champlain Islands Grown Map of Grand Isle County in late May, so stay tuned for that great resource too.