Conservation expands habitat and connectivity in the Cold Hollow Mountains
Don and Sandy Crocker appreciate Vermont’s woods and all the wildlife they support. For several years they have deepened their connection to the land by getting involved with a regional nonprofit. Cold Hollow to Canada is dedicated to protecting forests for wildlife, diversity, and resilience in the Cold Hollow Mountains, spanning seven northern Vermont towns.
A few years ago, Sandy and Dan bought land in Montgomery, which is part of the Cold Hollow region. Their intention was to conserve it for future generations.
The mostly forested property includes over a mile of frontage on the Trout River and one of its tributaries, Hannah Clark Brook. The Trout River is one of only two rivers in Vermont designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
Since buying the land, the Crockers have worked to make it more hospitable for a range of wildlife. They have created small openings in the woods for the species that need them, and establishing pollinator-friendly patches in the fields.
Connecting forests with Cold Hollow to Canada
This summer, working with us and Cold Hollow to Canada, they generously donated a conservation easement to protect the forestland and river frontage on their 150+ acre parcel.
“We hope conserving Trout River Forest will help provide future generations access to the kind of New England woods and wildlife we’ve been so fortunate to enjoy in our lifetime,” said Don and Sandy. “We are thankful for having been able to partner with the Vermont Land Trust and Cold Hollow to Canada to make this happen.”
Sandy and Don Crocker by the Trout River on their conserved property in Montgomery, Vermont.
Cold Hollow to Canada (CHC) works to protect connected ecosystems and promote community-led stewardship in the Cold Hollow Mountains. We have partnered with them on several projects, including Hi Vue Farms in Richford and the Enosburg Falls property of Claudia and Lew Rose.
“CHC is proud and honored to partner with the Crockers and VLT to conserve this critical piece of wildlife habitat along the nationally recognized wild and scenic Trout River,” said Dave Erickson, CHC’s Conservation Director. “We commend the Crockers for their vision to protect this land and are grateful to VLT for their commitment to safeguard its ecological integrity for generations to come.”
Supporting wildlife movement and diversity
The northern Green Mountains in the Cold Hollow to Canada region are part of the largest intact temperate forest left in the world, called the Northern Forest. Stretching from Massachusetts to Quebec, the Northern Forest is home to hundreds of vertebrate species and thousands of plant species.
As part of the Northern Forest, the northern Greens provide critical space for wildlife to live and roam. Uninterrupted forest is important because it helps wildlife migrate safely, maintain genetic diversity, and adapt to climate change.
Montgomery, and the land protected by the Crockers, is part of that important jigsaw puzzle. Nearly all of the town’s land is a state priority for forest conservation and also a priority for wildlife and biodiversity according to CHC.
“Sandy and Don’s land is in a key spot in the larger landscape – sitting along the Trout River with Jay State Forest to the north and Burnt Mountain to the south,” said VLT’s Bob Heiser. “Together with many other private landowners partnering with Cold Hollow to Canada, they are helping to ensure that this connected landscape stays connected.”
The project was supported in part by Cold Hollow to Canada.
