Conserving The Summit of Haystack Mountain in Pawlet

(photo credit George Bouret Photos)

A year ago Susan Sargent came to me and others to brainstorm about conserving "The Top" of Haystack Mountain. The top 65 acres of Haystack are held in private hands. The majority of the mountain and land around the mountain was under or in the process of conservation with The Nature Conservancy or The Vermont Land Trust.

We formed a group to see what would need to be done to get the project off the group. We called ourselves Friends of Haystack. 

Here is our gang! (photo credit: George Bouret)

We then formed a 503c non profit status with the generous help of local lawyer Rob Woolmington. We also recruited our friend Alan Calfee with Calfee Woodlands to help guide us through the process.  Thank you both to Rob and Alan. We would have been years behind without your help!

And then the fundraising began! And continues... hence my blog post:) We've had a few events- recently Mark and Margaret McChesney generously hosted a very successful Pig Roast/Silent Auction at their restaurant, The Barn Restaurant. We had a huge turnout and received an outpouring of support from the community members and friends.

We need to raise $130,000 before Dec. 31st to purchase the top + an endowment fund/expenses, etc. with a total of $150,000. We are close to making  the purchase, but need a little more help!

Susan  Sargent was one of the original foundersThe Metowee Valley Land Trust in conjunction with The Vermont Land Trust. The Trust conserved the majority of farm land through and around the Metowee Valley, right through RT 30. I moved to this area in 1985; their nonprofit was formed soon after that time. Many moons ago I help found a highend craft show at The Equinox Hotel and The Metowee Valley Land Trust was our non-profit partner with my friend Jacki Lappen and volunteers.  We are all thankful for the insight of conserving this beautiful land; I can't imagine not driving out of Dorset and seeing the working farms and open land.


Haystack Mountain (photo credit: George Bouret)

Help make Haystack Mountain YOUR legacy for our generations to come! You can contribute though our Pay Pal site on the website, http://www.friendsofhaystack.org or send a check to Friends of Haystack, PO Box 201, Pawlet, VT 05761

thanks for reading,

xo,

judy lake