Success For Ely Mountain!

With a generous gift of land from landowners Jock and Deecie Denison and contributions from over 90 local families and businesses, UVLT has acquired 208 acres to establish the Ely Mountain Conservation Area. The deed transferring ownership to UVLT was recorded on December 30th; just in time for a year-end celebratory snowshoe hike.

“Now begins an exciting process of observation and exploration,” says UVLT’s Peg Merrens who worked closely with the Denisons to arrange the conservation gift. “We intend to take the time to become intimately familiar with the property through the seasons — and we will invite the public to join us in learning, studying and mapping. The knowledge gained will lay the groundwork for planning recreational and educational programs and activities on the property.”

UVLT Stewardship Assistant Doug Brown says “Some of the activities we’ve discussed include wildflower walks, birding trips, vernal pool identification and looking for amphibians, winter tracking, identification of non-native invasive plants and deer browse assessment. In the coming year we’ll host a broad range of activities so that lots of people can participate.” If you are interested in assisting, or to sign up for notices of activities at Ely Mountain, please contact Doug Brown .

In the meantime, we’re happy to invite you to visit and enjoy Ely Mountain in the New Year. Doug has marked the access from Quinibeck Road with blue temporary flagging. At this point, only street parking is available. Please do not park in private driveways. We’re applying for a grant to improve parking, but construction will not be feasible until after this winter season. Map and more information are available here.