HARDWICK – In 2025 the Town of Hardwick was presented with the extraordinary opportunity, to be essentially gifted a significant piece of land on Buffalo Mountain, for perpetual access and use by the public.
The proposal to establish a town forest on Buffalo Mountain started in May, 2025. The Hardwick Conservation Commission (HCC) learned that a large 329 acre piece of land on the mountain was for sale. They became interested in finding out if there was a way to conserve, or somehow obtain the land for the public.
The commission made a connection with the Northern Rivers Land Trust (NRLT) and through them, with the Trust for Public Land (TPL). These two groups, who together had helped create the Wolcott Town Forest in 2024, were quickly interested in the Hardwick idea.
After conversations with the NRLT and the TPL, and learning more about the process and benefits of creating a town forest, plus that outside fundraising would pay for nearly all of it, the HCC felt confident about recommending this project to the select board.
After meeting with the landowners, who expressed willingness to sell, the next step was to take the idea to the town select board. Many times the usual next steps would be to take a few months for the town residents and select board to fully learn about the details, and possibilities, through presentations and surveys. Some towns choose to hold a referendum. But usually when land is proposed for a town forest it is not on the open market. In Hardwick’s case, the land was already listed for sale with a realtor, and in situations like these, speed is of the essence. This was a major reason why the Buffalo Mountain project took its first steps so swiftly, to avoid missing out on this chance. Once the land is gone, it’s gone forever.
A second reason for speed was that the sooner the big grants (that would essentially pay for the lion’s share of the property) were applied for, the better. Grant deadlines were looming in September, and missing those deadlines would likely have set the project back a year, and risked any chance of success, with the land returning to the open market.
Both of these reasons were explained to the Hardwick Select Board. At the July 10 meeting, the town select board voted to accept ownership of the land, if all the pieces and funding came through. This vote of approval was needed to move ahead with grant applications, and all the due diligence required.
There was no specific financial contribution called for at that July meeting, but it was relayed that a town is always requested to contribute something. It was explained that a significant donation to the project was very important in the fund-raising work, for grantors really want to see that a town is committed to the project.
The $25,000 amount was settled upon by the select board at a meeting some months later, leading to the vote on Town Meeting Day this past March 3.
It actually took months before enough pieces came together, to even plan for success. The landowners did not sign an option agreement until late January 2026. Until that time, things were still on the fence, it was deemed an awkward time to make any promises, or hold any public presentations, although the select board was kept informed, and there was a great deal of information on the conservation commission web page.
Once that January agreement happened, three public presentations were planned for, and held on January 24, and Feb 19 (live, and also separately on zoom).
Plans had been on-going for outreach, and to plan for the vote on Town Meeting Day to approve the $25,000 contribution. A floor vote, rather than Australian Ballot, was settled on, because during a floor vote the project could be further explained, information shared, and questions answered, and that was thought to be preferable. At the March 3 Town Meeting, the question for Article 7 appeared to have had a respectable majority of the floor in favor. However, due to some procedural issues, and at the request of petitioners, it has been decided to hold a re-vote on the question, on May 19.
What will happen if the town does not make a contribution of money? Will the project still move ahead without it? It might, it might not. We can’t say for sure. It will certainly make fund-raising harder. And again, as a contribution from a town is considered vital by some grant organizations.
In the greater scheme, $25,000 is roughly 3% of the total project cost of an over half-a-million dollar gift to the town, giving us 329 amazing acres of land. To most any of us, paying the equivalent of $76 an acre feels like quite a bargain, for our perpetual use and for future generations! Considering the time and resources that these organizations have dedicated to making this project possible, it seems a small price to pay for such a significant gift.
There is a ways to go in fund-raising, but since December, two big grants have come through. $100,000 from The Nature Conservancy and $465,000 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
Some questions people have had are, “How much property tax money will the town lose?” No more than $5,000 per year, based on current tax valuation.
“How much will it cost to maintain the land in the future?” It depends on how the property is handled. If things are kept simple, for example with just hiking trails, the costs are tiny. Larger developments will cost more, but these decisions lie with the steering committee, with final approval always resting with the select board.
Plain acreage does not need upkeep and maintenance, it’s not like being given a building that will need upgrades and repairs. Buffalo Mountain will not need painting or plumbing or roofing, etc. Most other towns rely on volunteers, grants and donations to create facilities, trails and infrastructure, and Hardwick can do that too. Once the handover is complete, the town will be granted $25,000 to go towards management/development costs for the forest and that can go a long way.
Do we need more conserved land? Compared to other towns, Hardwick actually has a low percentage of truly conserved and protected land. This new town forest will be under our control, and presents so many options for recreation and education, right in the heart of town, plus opportunity for economic activity. As Vermont changes, Buffalo Mountain can always be there, open and accessible to all of us, forever.
This brief piece hasn’t been able to cover all the details, but I hope it has answered some questions and brought confidence that this is indeed a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, and a gift for the future of our wonderful town. We hope you will come to the May 19 Town Meeting, to vote in favor.
The next and final project presentation will be on zoom, May 14, at noon. Register for the zoom meeting at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cT7Zyx3XQJWYVxhsIn0SQg
Applications for the steering committee will be accepted at the town office until May 15. Send applications to [email protected]
Rachel Kane is co-chair of the Hardwick Conservation Commission. For full detailed project information and maps, see the Hardwick Conservation Commission web page at hardwickvt.gov/government/committees-commissions/conservation-commission/.
Rachel Kane can be contacted at rmkane7@gmail for more information..
