On Sunday October 1st the community celebrated land conservation work you have made possible at the 36th Stowe Land Trust Annual Meeting. Bob and Wendy Chase were gracious enough to host the meeting at the iconic Chase Farm against a backdrop of Mount Mansfield displaying bright foliage. Looking over the conserved Bouchard Farm, community members, SLT staff, and board members enjoyed a sunny afternoon of celebrating conservation and community.
Outgoing Board Chair Sam Gaines opened the meeting with lighthearted remarks and expressed his sincere gratitude to our hosts, members, volunteers, conserved landowners and community partners. Sam welcomed Kristen Sharpless, SLT Executive Director, to speak on the past year’s accomplishments and the ambitious goals set by SLT for the upcoming year. These goals are outlined in the new 2023 -2028 Strategic Plan which focuses on SLT’s dedication to care for our conserved lands and community while picking up the pace of land conservation to save the greater Stowe community’s special places for generations to come.
Kristen and nominated Board Chair, Amy Stewart, thanked board members who termed off including Walt Looney, Tom Sweet, Cliff Borden and Sam Gaines, for their years of dedicated service with kind words and engraved wood made by a local artist. In the spirit of gratitude, the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award was given to Ed Miller who has cleared countless down trees which has kept the trails open and enjoyable for all.
SLT’s membership elected two new board members. Roger Murphy and Michy Lemay are joining the Board of Directors, the board responsible for governance of the organization. The two long-time Stowe educators were welcomed as exciting additions to the board. Amy Stewart was elected as Chair, Jason Slocum was elected as Vice Chair, Kerry Sedutto was elected as Treasurer and Anna Black was elected as Secretary.
After the meeting, it was the perfect weather to enjoy ice cream from Sisters of Anarchy and mingle with wonderful community partners. The partners who attended include Stowe Historical Society, Lamoille Housing Partnership, Salvation Farms, Stowe Free Library, Stowe Conservation Commission, Stowe Trails Partnership, and the Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District. Stowe Trailheads then led a post-social hour run along the beautiful landscape in the heart of Stowe.
Thank you again to all who attended including SLT members, community partners, the board members and volunteers who made the event possible, and the Chases for hosting.