2,085 acres in Duxbury preserved in land deal

Reposted from the Waterbury Record: Despite controversy over the $1.1 trillion “cromnibus” spending bill passed by Congress this week, it brought good news about protecting 2,085 acres of wild land in Duxbury, adjacent to Camels Hump State Park.

Among many other things, the spending bill funds the Forest Legacy Program, which works with states to preserve forestland supplying timber for industry, habitat for wildlife, and natural beauty for the human eye.  The bill makes money available to acquire the privately owned Dowsville Headwaters, which provides easy access from the Mad River Valley to Camels Hump. The price is likely to be in the $2 million range.

Now, residents of Duxbury and beyond use the land for backcountry skiing, hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling. It’s also a biodiversity hotspot, increasingly important as flora and fauna adapt to a changing global climate. It allows far-ranging animals such as bears to move easily to lower elevations. And, the property includes 105 acres of nesting habitat for Bicknell’s Thrush. Because of its small range and restricted habitat, the bird is considered a high conservation priority.

For the full article on the Waterbury Record, click here.

For more info on the Dowsville Headwaters property from the Trust for Public Land, click here.

Archives