Welcome To Our Location

Over the next few weeks, this blog will focus on the location shown in the picture below. A three mile stretch along Interstate 89 between Bolton and North Duxbury and a quarter mile buffer on either side to the north and south will be examined, carefully assessed, and analyzed for further action. 

The heart of Vermont: conservation and connectivity along I-89. Click on map for zoomed view.

Simply by looking at the map, nearly anyone could come to understand several factors at play here:

1). I-89 was clearly created because it is a path of least resistance. The interstate finds its way between a significant gap in the Green Mountains, surrounded in 1000' landscape to the north and south. The Winooski River likely had claim to the valley long before Europeans even set foot in the new world. The history of this human corridor will be included in our studies.

2). The Winooski River marks a natural boundary running parallel and often crossing the interstate. While the river can also limit population movements, the situation will depend on the species and the height of the water at various locations along our site. Our studies will take the time to include brief hydrological analysis and its role as a barrier.

3). An area with few roads. To the south of our location, Camel's Hump State Park is marked in green. To the northeast, Mt. Mansfield State Forest is marked by the same color. However, between the two mentioned areas and along the interstate, there is no form of protection offered by the state. We will take the time to consider what levels of protection a state park and a state forest offer, and how realistic it would be to extend protection of this region at state, county, or town levels.

And what is not initially gathered from the map?
While there are several questions still left unanswered, we will begin by considering how many organizations have a stake in this region, and how much influence each has regarding policy, support, or awareness in the state of Vermont. We hope to speak with representatives from groups such as: Vermont Transportation Agency (VTrans), Northeast Wilderness Trust, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation, and the various officials of Vermont's government. Hopefully, with all things considered, we will provide information that has not been previously gathered and help to advance the growing interest and knowledge surrounding wildlife corridors in the state of Vermont.