John,
You realize the importance of public lands, open spaces, and wilderness areas. I’d like to tell you about a long-term project we’ve been working on
in Vermont
— one that, frankly, we need your help to bring to completion.
The Green Mountains lie at the heart of more than two million acres of wildlife habitat and working forests. Tens of thousands of New Englanders draw their livelihood from forestry, as well as from recreation and tourism — 70 million people live within a day’s drive of the mountains.
Unfortunately, almost 600,000 acres in and around the Green Mountain National Forest — which encompasses much of the range — could be subject to increased development by 2030. The U.S. Forest Service has identified it as one of the nation’s most threatened national forests.
The Trust for Public Land and our partners — including the Green Mountain Club, the Green Mountain National Forest, the State of Vermont, and local communities — hold a shared vision for Vermont’s Green Mountain region:
- Connected and healthy habitat for native fish and wildlife
- Abundant trail networks and other recreational features that connect people to nature and the outdoors
- Economic benefits for local communities, achieved through sustainable timber harvesting and recreation-based tourism
- Climate resilience for communities—to reduce vulnerabilities and successfully adapt to changing climatic conditions
- Large tracts of undeveloped working forest—to protect biodiversity, drinking water, and scenic values
John, over the past 20 years, we’ve protected 45,000 acres in the Green Mountains. Your support helped make that possible, so: Thank you.
However, the work is far from over. Our goal for the coming decade is to conserve an additional 20,000 acres, and we need your help to do it. By joining The Trust for Public Land today, you will do so much to support our efforts to preserve open forestland in Vermont and across the country.
Your tax-deductible membership gift of $25 or whatever you can afford will help to connect residents and visitors to the natural world. This is your chance to make a long-term impact. I hope we can count on your support.
Sincerely,
Kim Elliot
Director of Membership
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