Pictured above: A woodsy view from UVLT's newest conservation area, My Walden.

Turning back the clocks while looking ahead...

As the once-vibrant fall leaves continue to drift to the ground, and we prepare to turn the clocks back this weekend, we invite you to find comfort and solace in the lands we conserve. In times of change, both natural and human-made, these spaces remind us of the enduring beauty and resilience of nature. As the seasons shift, we can find peace in the quiet whispers of the forest and the crisp air of open fields. This month, we celebrate the connections we forge with the land and with each other, reflecting on the importance of protecting these places for generations to come. Join us in embracing the changing seasons and explore the many ways you can continue to engage with the UVLT community.

What's Happening at UVLT

Pictured above: My Walden Conservation Area in Sharon, VT

My Walden: A Place for People in Nature

Nearly 40 years after Steve and Sheila Swett acquired a property in Sharon and transformed it into a 236-acre haven for people and nature, it has been generously donated to UVLT for long-term stewardship. This new Conservation Area, lovingly known as My Walden—after the book of poetry and photographs by Harriet Jackson Phelps, who owned the property in the 60’s and 70’s—offers opportunities for walking, snowshoeing, and skiing amid the tranquil beauty of distant views and intimate nature. Neighbors and friends rallied together to support a successful $420,000 endowment campaign, ensuring the management of roads, bridges, fields, and forests, and preserving the Swetts’ legacy of stewardship for years to come.

Pictured above: Timberstand work at Up on the Hill Conservation Area

Warm Appreciation to Hypertherm Associates

With a new supply of firewood soon to be generated from our timber stand work at Up On the Hill, volunteers joined staff at the woodshed last week. Thirteen associates from Hypertherm helped us move wood, loading and distributing 2.5 cords of fully seasoned firewood to homeowners in Springfield, VT. They also bucked and moved an additional 8 cords of wood from our last harvest into the woodshed to finish drying, ensuring more people can stay warm this winter. The forestry activities at Up On the Hill focus on removing invasive plants and low-quality trees while promoting species that are resilient to climate change and resistant to deer browse.

Pictured above: some visitors at UVLT headquarters in Hanover

Biodiversity and White-tailed deer:

Landowners and Hunters Can Work Together

With white-tailed deer thriving in the Upper Valley’s woods, meadows, lawns, and gardens, ecologists and land managers are noting serious impacts on forest health. Hunting serves as one method of population control, and both New Hampshire and Vermont have programs to train hunters, promote safety, and assist landowners who wish to encourage hunting on their property.

UVLT has partnered with various organizations to sponsor public programs, including a recent series at the Howe Library that focused on declining biodiversity and the impact of deer on forest health.

For state-specific information on hunting, visit:

NH Hunting Season Information and Dates

VT Hunting Season Information and Dates

As a reminder, ‘tis the season to wear orange and consider hiking on roads or in more populated areas to avoid disrupting hunters.

UVLT's 2024 Annual Report has Arrived!

What a year it has been! Our report on UVLT’s work in fiscal 2024 serves as a harvest reckoning, celebrating the impacts of generosity, leadership, creativity, and collaboration. Much like seed-saving, this is a harvest that will continue to grow. The conservation accomplishments of UVLT and our stewardship of conserved lands will shape the Upper Valley’s people, places, and possibilities for years to come. We are incredibly grateful and proud to share this report. Thank you!

Pictured above: A Thetford Academy student assists with a trail project

Trail Transformation at Zebedee Wetland

Students from Thetford Academy, local volunteers, and conservation teams came together to enhance the Linny Levin Trail at Zebedee Wetland. From rebuilding bog bridges to preserving memories, this project not only revitalizes the trail but also strengthens the community’s connection to nature.

The Last Ice: Glacial Lake Hitchcock

Documentary Screening and Q&A with

Filmmaker, Gregory H. Stott

Thursday, November 21st | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | Free and Open to the Public

Bugbee Senior Center, White River Junction, VT

Join UVLT and the Upper Valley Food Coop Documentary Club for an exclusive screening and post-show Q&A with filmmaker Gregory H. Stott. The film explores the ancient glacial lake that once stretched across New England, delving into its profound impact on the region's landscape. Scientists recount the formation and drainage of the lake over 15,000 years ago. For more information email contactus@uvlt.org.

We Know You Love the Upper Valley. We Do Too.

Become a part of the conservation solution and DONATE and/or VOLUNTEER today!