We’ve Made It!
A four-year campaign to conserve Hogback Mountain has reached its goal and Hogback Mountain will be permanently conserved by spring 2010.
Hogback Mountain with its magnificent views will be there for the generations to follow. Hogback Mountain will be there always as an evocative reminder to the thousands who enjoyed skiing there during its nearly 40-year history as an early and favorite family ski area. Hogback Mountain and its nearly 600 acres of upland forest will continue to provide both a home for Vermont’s magnificent assortment of wildlife, from the smallest moles to the mighty moose and all the splendid birds and animals between.
Thanks to many of you. The conservation of Hogback Mountain was made possible in large part through strong support from people in the area. The support showed itself in financial contributions from over 300 people. It appeared in the form of support and tutelage for the recent activities at Hogback such as the animal tracking, bird watching, nature walks and other types of events. Others provided support helping to raise funds through grants and fundraising appeals.
Area legislators have provided significant and welcome support for the Hogback project from the beginning and were particularly supportive during the State budget crisis of 2009. Three State agencies including the Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board were instrumental in moving this project ahead with two early major grants. The Agency of Natural Resources also recently awarded a grant through its watershed protection division. The Northeast Land Consortium of the Pew Charitable Trusts provided an important challenge grant.
(See contributing organizations on the menu for a complete list)
The Vermont Land Trust, as our partner from the beginning, assisted with fundraising support and also provided helpful technical and legal guidance throughout the project. The VLT will also hold the conservation easement and provide annual monitoring to ensure compliance with the stipulations of the easement.
Hogback Mountain will be owned by the Town of Marlboro and will be open to the public year round as an area resource for low-impact recreation such as hiking, x-country skiing and snowshoeing. Equally important, Hogback will continue to function as both as a wildlife corridor and an undisturbed forest preserve for wildlife and the rich variety of natural resources that exist there.
A free Hogback Newsletter is published every few months by email to provide information on activities at Hogback. Contact us at hogback1@sover.net to have your email address added to the Newsletter or get further information.