A few of Vermont’s highest peaks are home to rare and special environments called alpine zones. These ecological areas are vulnerable to damage from human recreation impact and impacts of climate change. Part of GMC’s mission includes stewarding and protecting these areas, largely through hiker education about the importance and fragility of alpine plant life and while empowering hikers to be an active part of alpine zone protection.
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What Are Alpine Zones?
Alpine zones of the Northeast are biologically diverse, isolated, and rare ecozones found above treeline on some of the highest points of the region’s mountains. These zones are characterized by harsh winds and colder temperatures. These alpine areas provide us with a look back in time to what the landscape was like after the glaciers melted at the end of the last ice age 15,000 years ago.
Sometimes referred to as “islands in the sky” because of their isolation and scarceness, alpine ecosystems are vulnerable to human disturbance. Here, you’ll find tundra plants similar to those found in the Arctic Circle even though we are much farther south in latitude. Alpine zones provide important habitat for plants and wildlife that have adapted to survive in tough alpine zone conditions, several of which are considered endangered or threatened species.
Vermont’s alpine zones are also popular recreation destinations, so the vegetation here faces threat of damage or trampling by human and dog footsteps. Read on to learn more about where, why, and how we can work together to protect these incredible ecosystems.
Vermont’s Alpine Zones
Across New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, there are about 13 square miles of alpine zone. In Vermont, less than 125 acres of alpine tundra remains. Within those acres, eight alpine species are classified as either endangered (4) or threatened (4) in Vermont.
Three of the Green Mountain’s tallest peaks are home to the state’s alpine areas. Approximately 110 acres are found on Mount Mansfield, about 10 acres on Camel’s Hump, and less than 1 acre on Mt. Abraham. These three peaks are also some of the state’s most popular and well-hiked destinations and traversed by the Long Trail. Alpine zones are widely enjoyed as stunning areas for recreation, so it’s crucial to educate hikers about the environment’s importance, fragility and vulnerability, and what they can do to help protect alpine zones.
Protecting Alpine Environments
Although resilient to the harsh winds, cold temperatures, and acidic soil of their environment, alpine plants are vulnerable to other disturbances. These plants can take a long time to grow in such an exposed environment but can some have long lifespans if protected from human activity (some individual plants and cushions are over 100 years old!). Aside from preserving them for their rarity, they are also important to the mountain ecosystem because their roots hold down soil and otherwise curb erosion at these altitudes.
Threats to alpine zones and plant life include climate change, development, invasive species, and the most immediate and preventable – human recreational impacts. Hiker footsteps pose the greatest danger to these plants, but the greatest protectors are hikers themselves.
GMC Caretakers as Alpine Stewards
GMC’s backcountry caretaker program began in 1969 in response to the growth of outdoor recreation and mountain visitation. A primary goal of the program was, and still is, to protect Vermont’s alpine zones through face-to-face on-site education between caretakers and the hiking public. Today, the Adirondack Mountain Club (New York), Dartmouth Outing Club (Mount Moosilauke, New Hampshire), and World Trails Network also have trail steward programs that focus on education of the hiking public. Face-to-face visitor education is one of the most widespread and effective strategies for protecting fragile alpine flora in the Northeast mountains.
A Win for Hikers and Vermont’s Alpine Zones
The recent rediscovery of purple crowberry on Mount Mansfield is a testament to the importance of alpine education and hiker action. Purple crowberry had not been seen in Vermont since 1908 and botanists listed the plant extinct in Vermont. During the Northeastern Alpine Stewardship Gathering hosted by the Green Mountain Club in October 2022, Liam Ebner, Summit Steward Coordinator for the Adirondack Mountain Club, rediscovered purple crowberry’s presence on the mountain during a field visit as part of the conference. A win like this alpine habitat shows that the stewardship of caretakers and the actions of an aware hiking public make a difference in ensuring the preservation of alpine zones.
How Can You Protect Alpine Plants?
You don’t have to be botanist or other expert to know and help protect alpine zones. The most important thing to remember is to stay on trail, to protect alpine vegetation from the impact of human and canine footsteps. Here are a few simple but impactful ways every hiker can steward these special ecosystems:
- Familiarize yourself with these alpine plants: Alpine ID: 15 Plants to Find Above Treeline
- Practice Leave No Trace in the alpine zone
- Contribute to alpine research as a citizen scientist
- Do the “rock walk” by staying on marked trails or bare rock and off of vegetation
- Stay within the areas delineated by white string when hiking on alpine ridgelines and summits
- Leash dogs in alpine zones
