Mission, Vision & Values
Engaging our community to protect the lands and waters that make this place special
We are dedicated to the conservation of scenic, recreational, and working lands for the benefit of all. Together, we can ensure our landscape remains healthy, welcoming, and productive for future generations. Join us today!
Mission
Conserving the land and waters we love to enhance quality of life for all connected to the Stowe area.
Vision
Protecting the health and vitality of our lands and waters is essential to our well-being, our economy, and our future. Stowe Land Trust envisions a community in which everyone can access, connect with, and enjoy the benefits of conserved land. We will work to make our natural resources resilient to changes in use and climate and will strive to ensure the lands that make this place special are protected and enjoyed for generations to come.
Core Values
Access for all: We believe that access to the outdoors is a basic human right, and we work to make conserved land accessible and welcoming to users of all identities and abilities.
Community: We work to bring people together to explore, learn, and care for the land that makes and supports our place. We are committed to ensuring that all can access and find belonging in the beauty and health of Stowe’s natural environment. We recognize that the unique features of our environment are essential to the community’s health and wellbeing.
Sustainability: We are a leader in advocating for the protection of the community’s forest, farm, recreation, scenic, and other natural resources. These resources are character-defining elements of our community that are threatened by inaction and changes in population and climate.
Collaboration: We cooperate and partner with other organizations and individuals to accomplish shared goals. We believe that we can accomplish more working together than alone. Our network is broad and diverse, and we include a variety of perspectives.
Innovation: We are adaptable and approach our work with a growth mindset. We strive to be a local, regional, and national leader in changing lives through conservation.
Next Generation: Our vision is long-term, and we commit to care for the conserved lands that sustain us all, now, and forever, for generations to come.
Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to ensuring that everyone in the Stowe area community is included in connecting to the beauty and health of our natural environment.
Our commitment to equity and inclusion
Who We Are
SLT is a local, member-supported, non-profit 501(c)(3) land conservation organization operating in Stowe, Vermont. An all-volunteer Board of Directors representing a broad cross-section of the community provides guidance for the organization. SLT's staff work out of an office in the Stowe Village at 6 Sunset Street. The office is open Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
What We Do
Stowe Land Trust has conserved over 4,500 acres of land since 1987—protecting spectacular viewsheds, extensive trail networks, and the working farms and forests that are important to the Stowe area community. We have also collaborated with partners to conserve an additional 2,600 acres in the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor and along the Worcester Range. In 2023, we adopted an ambitious Strategic Plan that outlines our approach to conservation, stewardship, and the overall sustainability of our organization. This important work has been sustained primarily by generous contributions from individuals. Thank you for your support!
The Difference We Make
Stowe’s rich network of conserved land is a prime reason why so many people choose to live, work, and play here. These places have been permanently protected because of the benefits they bring to our community—high quality recreational opportunities, scenic views, a working rural landscape, and a local economy supported by the area's natural resources. We work to protect these surroundings, and to foster a strong conservation ethic among residents and visitors alike.
Learn more about Stowe Land Trust and what conserved land means to our community! Thank you to Sarah Salvas for creating this video.