Smokey House Center has donated a conservation easement to NEFF on 3,757 acres of woodland in Danby, Vermont. Smokey House provides a residential program to high school students in farming, forestry, and ecological research. The 5,000-acre campus is the center of the experience for the students, with approximately 700 acres of farmland and the rest forested. The gift of this easement is the first step in protecting the campus.

"We’ve given away our rights to develop the land, but assured our ability to use the forestland for growing forest products, and as an outdoor classroom for our kids," the Center’s Executive Director Lynn Bondurant said.

For several years, Smokey House Center has been interested in conserving the property to ensure the continued availability of the land base for future education programs. In 1998, the Freeman Foundation granted $1,000,000 to the Center to boost the conservation effort and support the Center’s youth programs.

Tim Storrow, NEFF former Deputy Director, said the 3,757 acres of forestland, along with other conserved properties, comprise a “critical mass” connecting the Green Mountain National Forest to the state-owned Tinmouth Channel wetland. “This gives us the opportunity to reach out to other landowners interested in exploring conservation options,” he said.

The gift of a conservation restriction on 720 acres of farmland is anticipated during 2002, with the remaining 60 acres unrestricted for future needs. The Center is trying to raise $500,000 to make the farmland conservation a reality.

“The combination of permanently protected lands, youth education, and active stewardship provides Smokey House Center a tremendous opportunity to implement the ideals of sustainable forest management in Vermont,” said Storrow.

For more information on how you can help with this project, contact Cynthia Wood at (978)952-6856 x110