The Adams Camp Connector, an 85-acre parcel of land that connects Adams Camp to the Stowe Recreation Path, is now officially protected under a conservation easement held by Stowe Land Trust.
The community rallied to support the project last year, successfully raising over $820,000 that allowed Stowe Land Trust to purchase the land from Paul Percy.
“This was a true community effort,” Amy Stewart, chair of the Stowe Land Trust board of directors, said. “The Adams Camp Connector touches on many deeply-held community values — world-class trail systems, a healthy environment, wildlife habitat — and garnered widespread support from recreationists, conservationists, and community members alike.”
In addition to private donations, funding for the project also came from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
With the conservation easement in place, Stowe Land Trust now begins the work of stewarding the property. “We’re now responsible for that land forever,” Tom Rogers, executive director of Stowe Land Trust, said. “In many ways, conserving land is like a wedding — there is a lot of emphasis on the ‘big day,’ but after we all celebrate, the real commitment begins.”
That commitment begins with a long-range management plan that will take into account important deer wintering habitat, animal movement along the Little River and, of particular interest to the recreation community, the construction of new trails that will connect the existing trail system on Adams Camp to the Stowe Recreation Path.
Stowe Land Trust and partners are working on design plans for both a three-season hiking and mountain biking trail and a winter ski and snowshoe trail.
Once the designs are final and the necessary permits are in place, Stowe Trails Partnership will be overseeing the management of the three-season trail and the Catamount Trail Association and Stowe Nordic will be overseeing the winter trail, in consultation with the property’s landowner. “Trail connectivity is one of the top requests from our members,” Kenzie Brunner, executive director of Stowe Trails Partnership, said. “They’re really excited about better access to Haulapalooza from the Rec Path. It’s also going to help ease both trail and parking congestion, which is also something we’re working to improve everywhere.”
The timeline for breaking ground on the new trail is not yet finalized.
The 85-acre parcel will also be enjoyed by the fox, deer, fisher, raccoon, bear and coyote that regularly move through the area. A study by UVM’s Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology class in 2024 documented the movement of mammals through the parcel, finding that the forest canopy on the eastern side of the parcel provides important winter cover for a variety of animals. Wildlife cameras also showed animals moving along the Little River, which runs along the northern side of the parcel.
Practically speaking, says Rogers, protecting the Adams Camp Connector also helps to keep wildlife out in nature where they can keep a safe distance from people. “Conflicts with bears are becoming increasingly problematic in Stowe,” he said. “Protecting forest habitat allows wildlife to find food and shelter in the woods rather than in our backyards.”
Identified as a “highest priority area” by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the parcel contains a piece of a large, intact forest block considered critical to upholding the ecological integrity of Vermont and protecting its natural legacy.
Longtime Vermonter, seasonal resident, business owner and former owner of a maple sugaring operation in Vermont, Bill Davis was also pleased to know that the Percy Family will continue to collect sap from the land. “I like knowing that the maples on that property will continue to be available for sugaring.”