We are on a mission to maintain the intact forested landscape of the 42,000 acre forest existent between the Vermont townships of Rupert, Dorset, Manchester, Arlington, and Sandgate.
Nestled in the mountains and valleys of Southwestern Vermont, the Connected Taconics Forest Block, located between towns of Rupert, Dorset, Arlington, Manchester and Sandgate, comprises approximately 42,000 acres of intact forest. This forest serves as a key pinch-point connecting the Taconic Mountains to the Green Mountains.
Connected forests provide resilience against climate change, serving as critical wildlife habitat and plant and animal movement corridors, as well as many ecosystem services.
Healthy forests also support the local economy.
Our Vision
With support from the High Meadows Fund (now managed under the Vermont Community Foundation), Merck Forest & Farmland Center and the Bennington County Conservation District joined together in 2019 with the goal of fostering a collaborative community of regional stakeholders consisting of landowners, environmental organizations and educators focused on the conservation of the nearly 42,000 acre forest block of unfragmented forest surrounded by Rupert, Dorset, Manchester, Arlington and Sandgate, Vermont.
To achieve this mission, we seek to engage with the community, identify common values and objectives, offer guidance and connect you with the resources and opportunities that serve the conservation interests of block stakeholders.
“The Connected Taconic effort is a great example of community based conservation, bringing partnering organizations and landowners together around a common goal.”
— Katy Crumley - Resident
Accomplishments to Date
Assessed the ecological assets contained in the forest block, as well as human infrastructure and land ownership.
Researched the vulnerability of the forest block to climate change and land use pressure, such as development.
Initiated personalized landowner site visits.
Met with regional partners to collaborate on conservation efforts.
Launching landowner forums, to better understand landowner values, foster community outreach and education.
Hosted a Land Ethic Vermont event with stakeholders at Merck Forest & Farmland Center.
Up Next: Summer 2022:
This summer we are looking to offer more free consults to landowners. We will meet with you, discuss your lands and your values, and offer free guidance on conservation resources that will help meet your conservation-related land management objectives.
We will also be hosting a series of workshops for landowners at Merck Forest & Farmland Center. Planning is underway and more information to come.
We are also partnering with Follow the Forest and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish a wildlife camera study investigating key wildlife road crossings in areas surrounding the forest block.