Through detailed field assessments and tactful outreach work, MWA has been given the privilege of working with numerous landowners in the Northeast Kingdom to protect their property through conservation easements and acquisitions. MWA identifies lands that have valuable opportunities for long-term conservation protection – primarily those with rivers, wetlands, or agricultural use present. We approach the landowner and establish a relationship, asking them to share their vision or management needs for the property. Depending on the current and future uses and character of the land, MWA provides technical resources and assistance on numerous state, federal and local programs and incentives that work to support the landowner through the conservation process.
MWA works closely with partners throughout the State to identify the best program for each landowner and evaluate eligibility requirements, funding criteria, and the application process. Lands can be protected through conservation acquisition sale, permanent conservation easements, or 15+ year rental programs.
Conservation easements are ideal for landowners who wish to retain ownership but limit the use and management of the property for natural resource conservation. Acquisitions are best suited for landowners who are willing to sell portions of the property with substantial wetland, river, floodplain, or other significant natural resource values. Contract-based rental programs are for use on agricultural properties with adjacent wetlands or streams; these landowners agree to retire the stream or wetland buffer from agricultural production for a designated period while the partner organization sponsors tree plantings or other conservation practices. These projects are funded through the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission.
John’s River Protected for Wildlife, Flood Resilience and Public Access
Working with four landowners, over a three year period, 2021- 2024, nearly 50-acres along the Johns River in Derby—a tributary to Lake Memphremagog and nursery stream for wild trout—is now permanently protected and open to the public as part of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Johns River Streambank Management Area (SMA).
“The Johns River is make-or-break spawning and nursery habitat for Lake Memphremagog’s wild trout,” said Pete Emerson, Fish Biologist with the department. “The lake’s different tributaries attract different spawning runs, landlocked Atlantic salmon in the Clyde for example. Although the Johns River doesn’t have the same name recognition as the Clyde or Willoughby, it’s just as important for wild trout.”
John’s River Rainbow Trout
A bird’s eye view of the Johns River where it runs through newly acquired floodplains along Beebe Road in Derby.
“These four parcels offer so much opportunity for habitat improvements that benefit both people and trout,” said Patrick Hurley, Project Manager with MWA. “The Johns River cut new channels on some of this land during recent floods and caused some fairly damaging erosion. We’ll work to restore the natural channel and floodplain and build resilience against future storms by planting native trees and replacing undersized culverts. These projects will help reduce runoff and nutrient loading into the lake by phasing out agriculture in the less productive spots while keeping leases with local farmers on dry, upland areas.”
The Johns River Streambank Management Area (SMA) expansion comes at a time when river corridor conservation is top of mind for many, after two consecutive years of extreme floods. However, the work to protect this stretch of river and floodplains began earlier. Emerson and Hurley identified the four new SMA parcels in 2020 as part of an effort to pinpoint opportunities to improve wildlife habitat, river resilience and public access in the watershed. “Looking for places where we can do good for wild trout and rivers while also doing good for Vermonters has been our approach for a long time,” said Emerson. “That said, the last few years have really underscored how important this kind of conservation can be.”
– The Four Conservation Acquisitions –
– SARGENT ACQUISITION–
This 16-acre conservation acquisition is the culmination of three years of work, on the lower Johns River in Derby to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
This farmstead has been owned by Lance Sargent and his family for over 50 years. Once part of a larger farming operation, the land use has shifted to residential and forestry. For decades, the Sargent parcel was abutted on two sides by existing, but separate, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD) lands. One of these parcels – the Johns River Stripping Station – was once a major source of landlocked Atlantic Salmon eggs for fish hatchery purposes. The other – the Johns River Access Area – is a beloved local treasure that provides access to the lake, river, Beebe Spur Rail Trail, and nearby Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area. Conservation of the Johns River flowing through the Sargent property presented an opportunity to connect these two public tracts while also protecting the wild, self-supporting populations of Rainbow & Brown Trout that spawn here before returning to Lake Memphremagog.
Now, nearly 16 additional acres of the Johns River is fully open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. From the Access Area at the mouth of the Johns River at Lake Memphremagog, one can paddle upstream for nearly 1.5 miles and access public lands the entire length. This includes the Johns River’s robust fishery, extensive floodplains, intact scrub-shrub wetlands, beaver complexes, and silver maple forests. This project is unique and significant in that a land swap and subdivision was used to conserve the sensitive aquatic resources while maintaining private ownership of residential, forested, and agricultural lands.
– BEEBE PLAIN ACQUISITION–
This 24-acre acquisition is the culmination of three years of work, on the Johns River in Derby’s community of Beebe Plain to – identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
The property – a treasured farm and homestead – had been under the ownership of a local Beebe family for over 100 years. During this time, family subsistence farming gave way to larger, consolidated operations and a small-herd dairy was no longer a viable option. At the same time, the landowners observed a noticeable decrease in the vitality of the Brown Trout, landlocked Atlantic Salmon, and Rainbow Trout populations. Sensing an opportunity to retire a portion of the farm and contribute to the restoration of an important fishery, the landowners agreed to partner with MWA and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to subdivide the floodplain and other sensitive areas and sell the land to the Fisheries Division.
Now, 24 acres of the Johns River is fully open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing. This includes nearly a half mile of river channel and acres of floodplain wetlands, mapped River Corridor, mixed forests, and open meadows. To maintain the agricultural use and character of the property, VFWD agreed to lease back portions of the upland meadows to the previous landowner for cattle grazing. This is a uniquely important compromise because it allows the farmer to continue to utilize fields and meadows for pasture while protecting the river and floodplain from the impacts of cattle.
Beebe Plains
Beebe Plain Acquisition outlined in red
– PATENAUDE ACQUISITION-
This 1.8-acre acquisition is the culmination of three years of work, on the Johns River in Beebe Plain to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
Paul and Candace Patenaude of Derby owned the property for almost 20 years after purchasing the land from an abutting farm. While the original intent was to build a home for their family, the parcel stayed undeveloped and remained in use as hay and pasture. When the Patenaude’s heard of a pending conservation acquisition for the neighboring floodplain that abuts their own parcel, they approached MWA with conservation in mind. Together, the Patenaude’s, MWA, and VFWD worked to include their land into the greater conservation effort.
This 1.8 acres acquired from the Patenaude’s will provide critical public access to the greater Johns River streambank management area. In addition, VFWD agreed to lease back portions of the upland meadows to a neighboring farmer for cattle grazing, which will maintain the agricultural use and character of the property. Without the Patenaude’s parcel, public access to the Johns River streambank management area would be difficult because road frontage and areas suitable for parking were limited. With this additional acreage, the public will have easy access to a small parking area and a sweeping view of the Johns River floodplain.
– Johns River Headwaters Acquisition –
This 6.7-acre acquisition is the culmination of three years of work, on the Johns River in Derby to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
Sensing an opportunity to conserve the natural resources of the property, the former landowners agreed to partner with MWA and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to sell the land to the Fisheries Division. The newly conserved property sits near the top of the Johns River headwaters and includes the confluence of two cold-water tributaries. These waters are valuable potential spawning and nursery habitat for Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout, but fish passage to the upper reaches is restricted by a breached millpond dam and a failing culvert. The property’s primary conservation values include a dense riparian forest, cold groundwater seeps, abundant log and debris jams (excellent fish habitat!), and connectivity to publicly accessible lands.
Johns River headwaters flowing through the newly conserved property.
A failing culvert that will be replaced to improve fish passage and flood resilience.
With this fourth project, 6.7-acres of the upper Johns River is permanently protected and open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. This new Streambank Management Area is located downstream of the Derby Fish & Game Club Kid’s Pond and a Town of Derby parcel – all of which provide some form of public access. Soon, MWA will seek grant funding to replace a problematic culvert and remove a breached millpond dam to improve fish passage, flood resilience, and water quality.
Through these four acquisitions nearly 50-acres along the Johns River in Derby—a tributary to Lake Memphremagog and nursery stream for wild trout—is permanently protected and open to the public as part of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Johns River Streambank Management Area.
MWA acted as the landowners liaison through these acquisitions, which spanned several years and required coordination with multiple agencies and partners. MWA worked closely with VFWD and professional and legal services to conduct the property appraisals, purchase & sale negotiations, land surveying, subdivision permitting, title opinions, deed research, and other requirements necessary for these types of projects. MWA will continue to work with VFWD to develop a formal access area for these newly conserved lands, complete with a small daytime-use parking area and an informational kiosk.
MWA’s involvement in these projects was supported by a Capacity Building grant from VT Fish & Wildlife, who obtained funds from the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. The property sales, professional and legal services were funded by separate Great Lakes Fisheries Commission grants administered by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. We are extremely grateful to the landowners, the Town of Derby, and all others who supported or were involved in this important project that will work to protect our waters and fisheries for generations to come.
Barton and Clyde River Watersheds protected for Wildlife, Flood Resilience and Public Access
Three Strategic Conservation Projects for Wild Trout and Salmon Completed in Morgan, East Charleston, and Glover
Three parcels at important locations in the Barton and Clyde River Watersheds are now permanently protected for fish habitat, flood resilience, and public access thanks to a collaboration between the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Memphremagog Watershed Association.
“Protecting these parcels will make sure wild trout and salmon can continue to reach to miles of connected habitat,” said Pete Emerson, a Fish Biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “The total protected acreage across these projects is small, but that is a bit of a red herring. Much more important is the strategic placement of this new conservation land along the Barton and Clyde Rivers and their feeder streams.”
In Morgan, the eight-acre Cargill parcel protects the confluence of Sucker Brook and Valley Brook, two major tributaries to Lake Seymour. The streams support wild brook and brown trout, as well as landlocked Atlantic salmon. A five-year partnership between the department and the Seymour Lake Association restored rainbow smelt, an important food source for salmon and trout, to these waters.
In East Charleston the half-acre parcel protects the intersection of Churchill Brook and the Clyde River. Owned for more than 100 years by the Whitcomb-Bebell family, the parcel adds to the department’s Clyde River Streambank Management Area and provides public access to Churchill Brook and its wild brook trout.
In Glover the three-quarter-acre Brooks parcel protects the top of the Barton River, providing expanded access to Clark Pond and offering opportunities for streambank management to benefit wild brook trout. The property shares a boundary with the department’s Clark Pond Access Area and completes a one and a half mile stretch of public access as part of the Barton River Streambank Management Area.
– The Three Conservation Acquisitions –
– Cargill family –
An 8-acre conservation acquisition in Morgan is the culmination of two years of work in the Clyde River watershed to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
The property – an important floodplain and the confluence of two major tributaries to Lake Seymour – had been under the ownership of the Cargill family for several generations. Formerly a single 19-acre parcel, the floodplain and wetlands were carved off and conserved to protect and improve water quality and fish habitat. Sucker and Valley Brook are both historic strongholds for Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker, Brook Trout, and landlocked Atlantic Salmon. In recent years, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department teamed up with the Seymour Lake Association and other volunteers to restore Smelt and Atlantic Salmon populations in these streams. Sensing an opportunity to bolster fishery enhancement efforts and contribute to the protection of Lake Seymour’s water quality, the Cargills agreed to partner with MWA and VFWD to sell riparian lands to the Fisheries Division.
Now, 8 acres of critical riparian and stream habitat are permanently protected and open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. This includes nearly a half mile of stream frontage and acres of floodplains, mapped River Corridor, and intact wetlands. To maintain the agricultural use and character of the property, VFWD subdivided the lowlands from the upper hayfields. The fields were retained by the Cargill family and will continue to be hayed by a local farmer. This is an important compromise because it allows farming and VAST snowmobile access to remain in the uplands while simultaneously protecting the brooks and lower floodplain.
August 2024, the Town of Morgan was subject to a 1,000-year flood event. The eroded sediment from roads and stream crossings was deposited on the floodplain at the confluence of Sucker & Valley Brooks. MWA will work to secure grant funding to design a riparian buffer and floodplain restoration project that will build on nearby efforts to improve flood resilience, protect water quality, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in Lake Seymour and its tributary streams.
– Whitcomb Family-
A 0.5-acre conservation acquisition at the confluence of Churchill Brook and the Clyde River in the village of East Charleston is the culmination of two years of work in the Clyde River watershed to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
The property – which sits across from the East Charleston Volunteer Fire Department – had been under the ownership of Leon Whitcomb, Sr. and his family for over 100 years. While currently undeveloped, historically the parcel housed a mill, a garage, and other amenities before a fire destroyed much of the Village in the early 1900s. The land originally belonged to Leon’s grandfather, Walter H. Whitcomb, since approximately 1918 until it was conveyed to Erma Whitcomb Cahill. Erma transferred the land to Leon in October of 2006, who then left it to his wife, Rhoda Bedell of Morrisville, upon his passing in 2022. Rhoda chose to honor the Whitcomb family legacy by conserving this parcel so that the public can enjoy all it has to offer in perpetuity.
Now, the property provides public access to Churchill Brook, which drains Echo Lake and flows into the Clyde River just upstream of Twin Bridges Road. The parcel is located entirely within the Clyde River Corridor, floodplain, and mapped wetlands. One of the newest VT Fish & Wildlife Department Streambank Management Areas, the property is now permanently protected and open to the public for boating, hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. It will provide a new access point for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail between the Clyde River Wildlife Management Area and the Pensioner Pond Access Area.
– Brooks Family –
A 0.78-acre conservation donation at Clark (Tildy’s) Pond at the top of the Barton River in Glover is the culmination of three years of work in the Barton River watershed to identify, develop, and implement water quality and fish habitat improvement projects.
The property – which abuts an existing Access Area owned by VT Fish & Wildlife Department – had been under the ownership of Vivian Brooks and her family for several generations. The parcel has long been of interest to those who manage our State’s fisheries. The parcel will be managed as a riparian buffer to maintain cold temperatures for Brook Trout and protect water quality. After the passing of Mrs. Brooks, the property was transferred to her son, William Brooks of Maryland, who wished to donate the parcel to the people of Vermont so that they could enjoy all that it has to offer. When speaking of the donation, Mr. Brooks is proud to be part of a project that “opens up more access so Dads can teach their kids to fish and enjoy the outdoors!”
Now, the public has uninterrupted access for over 1.5 miles of the Barton River from the boat ramp at Clark Pond downstream to Shadow Lake Road. The Access Area and Barton River Streambank Management Area are permanently protected and open to the public for boating, hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. This conservation donation was the missing piece to connect the access area to long-held streambank ownerships along both banks of the upper Barton River. These narrow, one-rod-wide State ownerships were obtained as far back as the 1950s and are intended to guarantee public access for angling.
“Beyond their value for wild trout and salmon, each of these parcels expands public access and offers opportunities for management to enhance flood resilience,” said Patrick Hurley of the Memphremagog Watershed Association. “The parcels include acres of floodplain habitat, intact wetlands, and potential to restore areas eroded by this past year’s extreme flood.”
MWA acted as the landowner liaison through this process, which spanned several years and required coordination with multiple agencies and partners. MWA worked closely with VFWD and professional and legal services to conduct the property appraisal, pledge letter, land surveying, title opinion, deed research, and other requirements necessary.
MWA’s involvement in this project was supported by a Capacity Building grant from VT Fish & Wildlife, who obtained funds from the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. Professional and legal services were funded by a separate Great Lakes Fisheries Commission grant administered by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. MWA is extremely grateful to all who supported or were involved in these important projects that will work to protect our waters and fisheries for generations to come.