A gift of land brings new life to a beloved Roxbury property

Future land connection begins at a town potluck

Many good stories start over a shared meal. Colin Stetson’s is no different. In the fall of 2012, the lifelong musician wanted to spend less time on the road, touring with bands. He bought some land in Roxbury and started getting to know the area. He attended the Roxbury Town Potluck and met Jerry D’Amico, a man who, by Colin’s account, “knows the area like the back of his hand.”  

Colin and Jerry’s friendship grew through hiking and exploring the hills around Roxbury. Their adventures took them to a wooded parcel owned by a couple, Charles and Dorothy Harman. Colin had no idea that one day — through a series of fortunate events, a generous donation, and strong local relationships — he would be more than just a visitor there.  

A Brooklyn couple with their hearts in Vermont

Charles and Dorothy were based in Brooklyn, NY. While they could not always be in Vermont, their love of the place was evident. They hired a forester to help them care for the woods. They also cared about conservation efforts in the state and made a donation annually to VLT for ten years. 

Local forester Rose Beatty met the Harmans only once in the two decades she was their forester. But she regularly spoke with Charles, an amateur botanist, over the phone as they crafted and implemented a forest management plan.  

“Charles was a very interesting man,” said Rose. “He got the Northfield News, he would always keep track of what was happening up here. It was a great relationship.” 

Growing to love the land, one season at a time

Over more than a decade, Colin visited and got to know the Harmans’ land in every season, sometimes with Jerry and sometimes on his own.  

“There’s something so special about getting to observe the subtle changes between seasons each year,” said Colin. “To notice how one summer looks and feels a little different from the last.” 

Amid a northern hardwood forest filled with maples, birch, and white ash, the parcel features a stand of oak and beech trees along the ridgeline. Colin has observed how chipmunk and squirrel populations boom after a “mast year,” when oak trees produce a wealth of acorns. “That ridge bustles with wildlife,” said Colin. “There’s a kind of liveliness that’s intensified by having such an abundance of food.”  

There are old stone walls that recall its former life as pasture, a snapshot of Vermont’s agrarian history.  

“There’s a romantic idea of being connected to Vermont’s history,” said Colin.  

Local connections and lucky timing 

After Charles Harman passed in 2021, VLT was surprised but delighted to learn he’d left the property to the land trust in his will.  

“It was such an amazing gift. We only wish we could have thanked him,” said Christa Kemp, Donor Relations Manager at VLT. “Gifts of land or other kinds of real estate from generous people like Charles Harman help to advance our land protection and restoration efforts around the state.” 

The team at VLT assessed the donated land and decided to conserve and sell it, and use the proceeds to fund future conservation efforts. 

In the meantime, Colin had fallen in love with the land and was concerned about its future. He happened to be consulting the same forester, Rose Beatty, and asked if she’d heard whether the Harmans’ land would be put up for sale. Rose was able to connect Colin to VLT. On January 27, 2025, Colin signed the paperwork to buy the land and conserve it.  

Forester Rose Beatty (left) stands with Colin Stetson (right) in the forest.

Helping the land and wildlife thrive 

A few months later, Colin says he still experiences a bit of a shock when he realizes he owns the land he’s been exploring. He plans to take a light touch with the property, prioritizing choices that help the land and wildlife thrive. That includes planting a wild apple orchard and native northeastern chestnuts.  

“The dream is that in another 50 years, because of a little bit of effort and resources poured into it, this space will have an even more thriving ecosystem of critters all over the place,” said Colin. “It will be a place you can hike and grab wild chestnuts.”  

Having worked with both landowners, Rose sees a common vision between Colin and Charles. “I think he’ll be a good steward of the land,” said Rose. “I think he’ll make Mr. Harman’s heart sing.”