Education & Outreach
Connect To Something More
Our commitment to the lands and people of the Stowe area extends beyond our lifetime. That’s why we’re dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of conservationists, citizen scientists, and outdoor lovers.
Whether you are enjoying a family walk on the Mill Trail, a backcountry ski in Adams Camp, or a Sunday morning at the Stowe Farmers' Market, Stowe Land Trust is there to help you connect to the special places all around us. We know that by conserving land we are protecting moments of adventure, discovery, and joy—for people today and tomorrow. Even the smallest moments can inspire a lifelong appreciation of the land, and we are committed to making those encounters available to everyone. From public trails to working farmland, we're here to help you Connect to Something More!
Connecting Community by Caring for Land
You have the opportunity to connect to the outdoors, whether you are an organized group, a family, or an individual.
Are you interested in learning more about caring for Stowe's special places?
There is a robust volunteer program at SLT ready to welcome your special skills, dedication to the land and to offer experiences learning trail maintenance while connecting to one another. Volunteer partners accomplish incredible work and we could not effectively care for the land without you. Some examples of recent projects include:
- The successful repair, replacement and construction of five structures in Wiessner Woods.
- Invasives removal and mitigation at the Mill Trail and DuMont Meadow.
- Protection of native vegetation along established trail boundaries across all properties.
There is always more to do when caring for the waters and trails that make Stowe a unique experience. Volunteers are vital to enhancing trail accessibility, protecting native vegetation and wildlife and ensuring Stowe's special places will be enjoyed by all for years to come.
To find out more about how you, your family, or your organization can get involved:
E-Mail our Lands and Trails Steward, Nicole.
Sign up for volunteer updates on our Volunteer Page.
Read inspiring stories about how volunteering with SLT connects communities.
Forging Community Partnerships
Through public programing, educational outreach, and community partnerships, we aim to cultivate a strong conservation ethic in our community. Working together, we can create a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable community where the benefits of this special place can be enjoyed by all.
Learning Landscapes
Helping every kid be an outdoor kid.
Thanks to an expanded collaboration between Stowe Land Trust and the Stowe public schools, more kids are getting outside.
Learning Landscapes is a national effort which aims to build more accessible outdoor classrooms within a 10-minute walk of schools and to support educators in utilizing those classrooms year-round for interdisciplinary instruction. These spaces and supports will allow teachers to bring their lessons outdoors – deepening the connections between their students and the place they live, and providing numerous benefits for student learning, behavior, and development.
Places such as Sunset Rock and Mayo Farm are walking destinations for Stowe Elementary and Strawberry Hill farm provides access to trails and fresh water for engaging Stowe Middle and High Schoolers. However, sometimes, protecting the land isn’t enough. More is needed for outdoor classrooms to be developed and used. Local educators and schools are looking for ways to instill a sense of place in their students, and to help them get outside more often, but are faced with many competing needs and limited resources. Through the Learning Landscapes collaboration we are strengthening our commitment to the next generation.
This past summer the Learning Landscapes collaboration broke ground by establishing the first outdoor classroom on-campus at Stowe Middle-High School. The classroom consists of 11 benches hand-constructed by community volunteers and land trust staff.
The partnership was recently awarded a Vermont Community Foundation Spark Connecting Community grant to re-establish a greenhouse at Stowe Elementary School, which will be part of helping to revitalize the school’s garden. This $5000 grant will help further Learning Landscapes' mission of connecting school age youth to their sense of place and increasing their academic, behavioral and emotional outcomes by providing an accessible outdoor classroom space.
Learning Landscapes at Stowe Land Trust is continuously evolving and helping every kid be an outdoor kid.