WOLCOTT – After much anticipation, planning and community collaboration, the grand opening of the Wolcott Community Forest took place Saturday, Sept. 13, at Wolcott Elementary School.
Seven-hundred-thirty-five acres of new public land have been acquired within walking distance of the center of Wolcott and directly adjacent to Wolcott Elementary School, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and the proposed Velomont Trail.
The project is the culmination of years of planning by the select board and nonprofit organizations, namely the Trust for Public Land (TPL), Northern Rivers Land Trust (NRLT) and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB). A special thanks was given to the U.S. Forest Service, who were unable to attend the ceremony, but contributed $580,000 to the project via a Federal Community Forest Program. The funding was put towards creating a five-mile trail network, accessible from the LVRT and elementary school.
Vice President Shelby Semmes of the Trust for Public Land kicked off the ceremony withsome background on TLP. A national nonprofit organization, it has worked to protect 4.5 million acres of land since its founding 50 years ago, creating outdoor spaces at over 5,500 sites like Wolcott across the country.
“You’re never supposed to have a favorite kid and somewhere on that playground, I have two of them out there. But I have to admit that as a public lands advocate, community forests, I think, are my favorite,” Semmes joked. “These are the most intimate forms of public lands. They emerge in the shape of and in service to their community from day one. I know that we will relish that intimacy today, and really every day that you all and your future generations are working to make memories here.”
Semmes turned things over to Conservation Director Kate Waner to introduce the ceremony’s speakers, “First, I’d like to say my share of appreciation for all the town staff, the planning commission, the select board, with a special shout out to Linda Martin, the chair of the select board and the point person for this project. So, in the past four years, Linda has been both an up-front and behind-the-scenes advocate for the acquisition, and approached every new problem with patience, balance and good cheer. Her assistance with state and federal grants, and thoughtful and steady doggedness, got us to the finish line. I’d like to introduce Linda to speak on behalf of the town.”
“Today’s a day of gratitude, celebration and community pride,” Martin began. “We are gathered here not just to mark the ownership of the Wolcott community forest, but to honor the people and organizations who made this dream a reality. We are deeply gratefulful to the TPL, and especially Kate Warner and Hayden Smith for your leadership, guidance and tireless efforts in making this project a success. Your support and commitment carry this vision forward every step of the way.”
“To our stewardship committee and volunteers, thank you. You are the part of this project, clearing trails, attending meetings, spreading the word, giving of your time and energy. You went above and beyond, proving that when a community comes together, amazing things can happen.” she continued. “We also want to thank the public funding organizations, the Federal Community Forest Program; Vermont, Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB); Northern Rivers Land Land Trust and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, whose support gave this project the foundation it needed by supporting the Wolcott Community Forest, you have strengthened our connection to nature, to each other and the generations to come. To our donors, thank you for believing in this vision and stepping forward with generosity. You gave us resources to turn a hope into reality. And it is with deep appreciation we recognize the extraordinary generosity of Rhoda Bedell and the Bourne family. Your commitment to this project has left an enduring legacy because of you and the many people involved, this forest will be a place of peace, recreation, learning and conservation for years to come.”
To conclude her remarks Martin posed a question and answered it: “What does the Wolcott Community Forest mean for our town? It means children growing up with trails to explore. It means neighbors gathering outdoors, finding joy and health and open spaces. It means land preserved for wildlife, protecting waters and open spaces for future generations. It is proof of what we can achieve when we work together. So let us celebrate not only the land we now own, but the unity, vision and hard work that brought us here on behalf of the town of Wolcott and everyone who walks or bikes these trails and cherishes this place in the years to come.hank you.”
Waner again spoke, revealing an exciting continuation of the collaboration with VHCB, “As some of you know, they are a unique agency that has a dual mission to create permanently affordable housing and conservation to protect Vermont’s most important farms, forests and historic properties. The genius of this cool dual mission is that it recognizes that housing and conservation are both vital to the economic vitality and quality of life in Vermont. So TPL and the town were thrilled to have the opportunity to try to meet both of those goals here in Wolcott. There was a small part of Rhoda Bedell and Leon Whitcomb’s land, right on Route 15 that previously had a home, a well and a driveway. We all worked together to create the opportunity to donate 1.9 acres to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity to create a new single family home that will be perpetually affordable.”
Waner says unfortunately there were some significant soil contamination issues that needed to be dealt with. However, just two weeks ago, public and private funding was secured to fully clean up the site. Construction will hopefully begin on the property next summer, according to Waner.
