Moose River

Trust for Public Land believes access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need because communities are healthier, happier, and more resilient when we all can get outside and engage with nature. It’s no wonder that places in Vermont, known for their breathtaking natural beauty, are experiencing an influx of people looking to connect to the benefits this outdoor paradise provides.

Near St. Johnsbury, Burke Mountain Ski Resort, and Kingdom Trails—one of the most popular mountain bike trail networks in New England—there’s a growing demand for primary and secondary homes. But we know that once nature is developed, it’s lost, underscoring the urgency of our work in places that are experiencing imminent threats of development.

In collaboration with the State of Vermont, we’re working to safeguard 327 acres of land along the Moose River. A portion of this land will be added to Victory State Forest while the rest will be maintained as a private working forest with a conservation easement, ensuring public access to the conserved land.

Moose River is a popular destination for hunters, anglers, and white-water paddlers that enjoy class II and class III rapids on this stretch. It’s also less than a mile from the Connecticut River National Scenic Byway, where hundreds of thousands of people travel annually to admire the fall foliage, enjoy outdoor recreation, or visit historic and cultural sites. Preserving special places like Moose River provides opportunities to bring people together while supporting local tourism and building economic resilience in Essex County.

We are already seeing the impacts of climate change across the state with devastating floods, which are likely to become more severe. Large, connected landscapes like Victory State Forest offer key opportunities to combat the harshest impacts of climate change: green spaces that absorb flood waters, mitigate extreme heat, and sequester carbon in soil and vegetation. This area also provides critical habitat for at least 13 documented Species of Greatest Conservation Need like moose, black bear, bald eagle, eastern brook trout, mink, and bobcat—making our work at Moose River a real win for people and wildlife.

In safeguarding places like Moose River, we’re protecting critical habitats and scenic landscapes and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the bountiful benefits of the outdoors, fostering healthier communities and a more resilient future for Vermont.