In 1986, the Green Mountain Club undertook a monumental task – to protect the Long Trail by conserving the land around it, thus ensuring a permanent route and a protected scenic landscape. Much has changed since then, but our commitment to that goal is steadfast. The Long Trail Protection Campaign has completed more than 100 trail protection projects, conserved more than 25,000 acres of land, and protected more than 80 miles of the Long Trail.
But even successful long-term efforts need periodic evaluation and assessment. In the land trust world, such reviews are called strategic conservation plans. They are used to update and hone conservation goals, to ensure organizations are working proactively to protect the values they aim to conserve. GMC’s Strategic Conservation Planning process was begun in 2021 and the final plan was approved by the Board of Directors in 2023.
The planning effort analyzed the quality and effectiveness of our protection campaign so far, and defined criteria for how tracts of land are prioritizes. Now we can sharpen our focus on what body of conservation projects GMC should pursue in the future.
In broad strokes, the plan outlines the need, goal and approach to Long Trail System protection. Explore this Story Map to see a summary of the plan in action.
Explore the Strategic Conservation Plan
Questions, or want to get involved? Contact Mollie Flanigan, Director of Land Conservation, [email protected]
