MONKTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Some 450 acres in Addison County are now dedicated to public enjoyment.

“This land is part of a larger block of approximately 2,500 square feet that has been identified by the state as high priority for conservation,” said Bob Heiser, project manager at the Vermont Land Trust.

The town of Monkton purchased the tract of forest, a move that took years to complete.

“We had informal discussions with residents and then in 2019 the municipal forestry committee was formed,” said John McNerney, a member of the Monkton municipal forestry committee.

“The project really started in 2022 when we identified this parcel as a likely candidate and started working with the landowner on it,” said Jamie Schulte, a member of the Town of Monkton Forestry Committee.

Despite the statewide housing shortage, members of the Monkton Town Forestry Committee say the forest will not take away from other development opportunities.

“We have a lot of space in the community for affordable housing, but also places like this,” Schulte said.

To make the municipal forest a reality, the city raised more than $1 million.

Most of the funding for this project came from grants from federal and state agencies and organizations, but some city residents also contributed.

“We have held community fundraisers and donations ranging from $20 to thousands of dollars,” McNerney said.

There are now funds remaining that will be used to keep city residents from having to foot the bills for future expenses.

“We’ve set aside what currently stands at $45,000 for a maintenance fund and we’re going to take it as far as we can,” Schulte said.

The goal is to add trails and areas for activities like hunting and horseback riding, but also to protect and conserve the nature already present. This, in turn, protects people.

“As we face global climate change, it is important that these large, connected blocks of forest land are essentially a giant forest sponge to help absorb rainfall and prevent it from increasing and flowing into rivers and streams and increase flooding,” Heiser said.

The municipal forestry committee hopes to put a long-term plan in place and host an event celebrating the new municipal forest in the spring.

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