Stowe Land Trust has entered into a purchase and sale agreement that will permanently protect 25.6 acres on Maple Run Lane, in Stowe.  Once purchased, SLT will donate the land to the town to be managed as part of Sterling Forest.  If you've hiked, biked, hunted or skied in the town-owned Forest, you've been on this land - and you probably thought it was already protected from future development.

The property begins where the Old Billings Road leaves Maple Run Lane, and continues nearly to Tucker's Restaurant - a privately owned hunting camp deep in the woods (the land surrounding the camp was conserved by SLT in 2001).  In addition to the Old Billings Road, the property contains sections of popular mountain biking trails, Godstreet and Kent's Trail, and provides access to the Catamount Trail, the Marsten Trail, Lauren's Loop, Peak-a-View, among many others.  In winter, VAST uses the unimproved section of Maple Run Lane as a part of its extensive trail network.  The new property to be conserved has long been an integral part of the recreational experience in Sterling Forest, it enhances wildlife habitat, and will provide the town an opportunity for sustainable timber management.  At the time of purchase, SLT will place a conservation easement on the property that will protect it from future development and keep it open for recreation.

SLT is well on its way to raising the $161,000 needed to complete the conservation initiative.  In April, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board granted SLT $106,000 leaving the land trust $55,000 to raise through private grants and generous donor contributions.

Because of the extensive network of trails on and around the property, SLT is working with the Stowe Mountain Bike Club to purchase and protect this additional acreage.  If you ski, hike, hunt, snowmobile, ride or simply enjoy the natural beauty of Sterling Forest, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SLT to help secure the trails at Maple Run Lane.  Thank you!