Bradford Extends Wright’s Mountain Conservation Area

The Town of Bradford has succeeded in expanding the Town-owned Wright’s Mountain properties by purchasing and conserving an additional 64 acres of abutting forest land. The project was supported by the Bradford Conservation Commission (BCC), and by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB). The added acreage has been incorporated into a conservation easement by the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) that also includes three contiguous parcels already owned by the Town. Now, including private land, the total area protected from development on Wright’s Mountain adds up to more than 800 acres.

Over the past sixteen years, through the perseverance of Bradford’s Conservation Commission, and particularly through the tenacity of the Commission’s chair, Nancy Jones, the conservation area on Wright’s Mountain has grown and developed into a recreation area that tourists and local residents enjoy. “Supporters of the Bradford Conservation Fund deserve a tremendous amount of credit for making this possible,” says Jones.

The newly conserved land has been useful to area students. Nancy Jones said, “In 2002, we were studying vernal pools in my biology classes at Oxbow. One of my students said he thought he knew where there was a vernal pool near a place where he hunted, so he took me to this land, and sure, enough there was a vernal pool… AND near it, a beautiful wetland. When I called Mr. Bryce Thomas to get permission to take students on his land to study these features, he was delighted that his land was being used for educating young people. I’m sure Mr. Thomas, now deceased, would be pleased that this land and these rich natural resources will now be protected forever.”

In addition to its educational values, the land on Wright’s Mountain makes significant contributions to the Town’s economy, gives residents of all ages a connection to the Town’s history, and expands opportunities for outdoor recreation. Both UVLT and the BCC have invested many hours creating and maintaining the trail system on the previously conserved Town property, and will continue their efforts in the additional acreage. The road frontage of the newly conserved area offers the possibility of additional trails and a new point of entry from the road.

Besides humans, Wright’s Mountain is also valued by other species. Nancy Jones says, “Other features on this land include giant oaks, maples and pines, as well as some very unusual rock formations. Based on the abundance of tracks and markings, the wetland appears to be of great importance to bear, moose, deer and bobcat.”

Also key to the successful completion of this project was support from VHCB, the state agency which provides funding for conservation and affordable housing projects. The agency supports conservation projects of agricultural, recreational and natural importance in Vermont. “Without VHCB funds this [conservation project] would not have been possible and Bradford would not have this wonderful resource,” according to Nancy Jones.

As VHCB’s website asserts, “The conservation of Vermont’s open and wild lands preserves the landscape that is such an integral part of the state’s identity, supports the agricultural economy, protects wildlife habitat, and provides public access to the state’s waterways and woodlands.”

Recipients of VHCB grants – the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition – come together annually for a Legislative Day at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. It is a time when recipients of these funds speak up in favor of continued support for the program. This year’s event will occur on Wednesday, February 16.

A group of Upper Valley VHCB supporters will be leaving from UVLT’s office on Buck Road in Hanover. Contact UVLT’s Programs Coordinator Nora Doyle-Burr for more information, noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.