Stowe Land Trust

To guide our work and respond to the challenges before us, our Strategic Plan articulates five specific goals:
1. LAND PROTECTION: The essential character and function of the Stowe landscape is conserved through proactive and responsive land protection.
2. STEWARDSHIP: SLT conserved and owned properties are sustainably managed to protect and enhance their conservation values. SLT properties are “gateways” to the organization, and encourage use and enjoyment by the community.
3. FUNDRAISING: SLT has sufficient funds to meet its land protection goals, fulfill its perpetual stewardship obligations, and support annual operations.
4. SOLID ORGANIZATION: Effective people and systems throughout the organization provide direction, resources, and follow-through to implement SLT’s mission. A culture of appreciation and inclusion throughout SLT is evident.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SLT is an essential community institution with an educated, diverse and active base of support that participates in land conservation practices throughout Stowe.

GOAL 1. LAND PROTECTION: The essential character and function of the Stowe landscape is conserved through proactive and responsive land protection.
Strategies
a. Protect the most important lands identified in our strategic conservation plan.
b. Respond to land protection opportunities that meet the criteria for permanent conservation.
c. Maintain and expand partnerships that support permanent land protection.

GOAL 2. STEWARDSHIP: SLT protected and owned properties are sustainably managed to maintain and enhance their conservation values. SLT properties are “gateways” to the organization, and encourage use and enjoyment by the community.
Strategies
a. Protect the land trust’s legal conservation interests.
b. Maintain, and as appropriate, restore and enhance conservation values on fee owned and conserved land.
c. Develop strong partnerships with easement co-holders and land managers.
d. Maintain a stewardship program that is sustainable, efficient, effective and accountable.

 

GOAL 3. FUNDRAISING: SLT has sufficient funds to meet its land protection goals, fulfill its perpetual stewardship obligations and support annual operations.
Strategies
a. Increase the total amount and overall stability of revenues as necessary in order to meet program goals. Adapt as necessary to maintain financial stability.
b. Hold fundraising events that effectively use resources to meet budget goals.
c. Ensure the long-term financial security of the stewardship program.

GOAL 4. SOLID ORGANIZATION: Effective people and systems throughout the organization provide direction, resources, and follow-through to implement SLT’s mission. A culture of appreciation and inclusion throughout SLT is evident.
Strategies
a. Maintain an active and engaged Board of Directors.
b. Maintain strong organizational and financial systems and management tools.
c. Ensure SLT’s staff is highly skilled, productive, satisfied and has the capacity to meet the needs of the organization.
d. Guide organization with effective planning.

GOAL 5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SLT is an essential community institution with an educated, diverse and active base of support that participates in land conservation practices throughout Stowe.
Strategies
a. Increase public awareness of the organization, our mission and its importance.
b. Inspire people to actively conserve, restore, care for and enjoy the land.
c. Represent the organization on important land and conservation issues.
d. Develop and cultivate the next generation of conservationists. Position SLT as the go-to local resource for conservation activities and education.
e. Develop and cultivate a base of support that is racially, economically, and culturally diverse. Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within SLT
f. Evaluate the community’s understanding of and engagement with SLT and our mission

Stowe Land Trust has a staff of three, and an engaged Board of Directors with 20 members. The Board has several committees including Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Executive, Stewardship and Lands. The land trust also has dedicated volunteer land stewards (~12) that help us with stewardship tasks, and other active volunteers that help with trail work and invasive species management. SLT has more than 600 members that provide consistent financial support. SLT also engages with a range of partners including the State of Vermont, Town of Stowe, Vermont Land Trust, Intervale Center, Town of Waterbury, Town of Morrisville, and others.

We have made much progress in the land protection program area, having completed more than 34 projects on more than 4,300 acres. However, there is still much to be done. We seek to protect at least 30 more priority properties over the next 30 years.

We also seek to bolster our Stewardship Endowment funds, which will greatly aid us in our promise to steward our land and easements in perpetuity. We have already secured nearly $1.4 M in Stewardship-specific funds, and seek to bolster this figure to approximately $2.5 M over the next several years.