Congratulations to The Green Mountain Club in Vermont who has successfully conserved 12-acres of land in Johnson, Vermont and secured permanent protection of a 300-foot stretch of The Long Trail. The acquisition is a part of the Long Trail Protection Campaign which is dedicated to permanently protect all 272 miles of the Long Trail in Vermont.
The newly acquired Deer Camp property is now owned and managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation and marks the third property in the Johnson area recently protected by the partnership.
Funding for this project was secured through state Long Trail protection funds made available through the transfer of 171 acres of land from FPR to the Green Mountain National Forest in 2023, the federal Forest Legacy Program, a grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and private funds raised by the Green Mountain Club.
Love to see these incredible stewards of the oldest long distance hiking trail in America hard at work protecting it for future generations. Great job!
The Green Mountain Club Press Release:
Waterbury, VT – The Green Mountain Club (GMC), Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) have conserved the Deer Camp property in Johnson, Vermont. The 12-acre parcel is now owned and managed by FPR as part of Long Trail State Forest. As an addition to the Long Trail State Forest, the acquisition permanently protects a 300-foot stretch of the Long Trail and enhances public access to the State Forest.
This conservation project is the latest accomplishment of the Long Trail Protection Campaign, a collaborative partnership to permanently protect all 272 miles of the Long Trail in Vermont. This is the third property in the Johnson area recently protected by the partnership. Over the past five years, the partners have conserved 163 additional acres through two nearby properties in Johnson and Waterville, just north of the Deer Camp property, also as additions to the Long Trail State Forest.
“Since 1986, the Green Mountain Club has been working with partners and landowners to form a permanently protected route for the 272-mile Long Trail. This parcel forms a critical link improving the continuity of the protected trail corridor.” -Mollie Flanigan, Director of Land Conservation at the Green Mountain Club
The Long Trail is a long-distance hiking trail along the spine of the Green Mountains and runs the length of Vermont, from Massachusetts to Canada. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail and, along with its side trails, provides 500 miles of hiking trails in Vermont. The Long Trail draws thousands of locals and visitors each year and provides economic and wellness benefits for local communities. Permanent protection of the Long Trail will ensure that hikers and local communities continue to have access to and benefit from this incredible recreation asset.
“Protecting even a small stretch of the Long Trail like this has an outsized impact, connecting people with the land, strengthening ecological corridors, and ensuring the trail remains accessible for generations to come. We’re proud to support this work alongside our state and nonprofit partners. Together, we’re not just conserving land, we’re investing in the health, resilience, and identity of Vermont’s communities.” -Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
The Long Trail and its surrounding natural landscape also provide connected and healthy habitats for native fish, plants, and wildlife. The forestlands and connectivity corridors near the Trail are of mounting national importance in an era of climate change. Specifically, the Deer Camp property sits within the regionally significant Northern Green Mountain wildlife linkage, which connects the Berkshires and southern Green Mountains to the Northern Appalachians of southern Quebec.
“FPR is thrilled to see the Deer Camp property added to Long Trail State Forest to further protect the Long Trail, one of Vermont’s most historic and beloved recreational resources. In addition to protecting the Long Trail, projects like these also protect so many ancillary resources, like forest health, wildlife connectivity and habitat, scenic values and outdoor recreation. FPR is proud to work with VHCB and GMC to continue protect the Long Trail and the many shared conservation values that come with it.” -FPR Commissioner, Danielle Fitzko
About The Green Mountain Club:
The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail – the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to “make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people.”
Related: Five Historic Vermont Ski Hills That Avid Skiers Should Visit
