Conservation Campaign Succeeds in Hartland
Establishment of the Timotheus Pohl Conservation Area is moving forward with the strong support of area residents and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. UVLT and the Hartland Conservation Commission have been working together to raise the funds needed to purchase the land which is located just at the edge of the Hartland Three Corners village. Voters at Hartland’s 2024 Town Meeting voted to set aside $100,000 for the project. In June, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board approved a major grant. Now, people from Hartland and surrounding communities have made gifts and pledges of nearly $295,000 to fund this popular project.
For years, the Pohl land has offered natural beauty and recreational enjoyment to his neighbors. There are long views across fertile meadows and ski trails that wind through the forest and fields. Though Tim Pohl hoped that his land could be conserved for the benefit of the community, health issues complicated his efforts. Prior to his death last spring, UVLT negotiated a contract to secure time for fundraising. The success of the campaign means that UVLT and Tim Pohl’s estate can proceed with a survey and subdivision needed to complete the purchase.
The property consists of 75 acres of mixed hardwoods and agricultural land with frontage on three roads. The high-quality hayfields are leased to a local farmer. Hartland Winter Trails, an all-volunteer Nordic ski and snowshoe group, manages 25+ kilometers of trails, thanks to the generosity of 30+ landowners. The Pohl property is the hub of the trail system and has 3.5k of trails on its 75 acres. The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) maintains a short segment of snowmobile trail as well.
With its location close to the village, a small portion of the property is possibly suitable for community housing, a longstanding goal of the Hartland community. UVLT and its partners look forward to exploring the feasibility of development in that area. Meanwhile, we hope to close on the purchase in late fall — just in time for a great winter season on the trails!
Conservation benefits of the Timotheus Pohl Conservation Area include: permanent protection and sustainable management of agricultural fields, wetland, and regrowing woodland under UVLT ownership; management for winter use of Nordic trails by Hartland Winter Trails; open some portions of the land to four-season, low-impact, non motorized uses; winter snowmobile use of an existing important short connector trail, possibility of community housing within a 7-acre area.
