One Day, Two Places Protected

A Big Day for River Conservation: Protecting Two Vital River Corridors in Vermont 

We are celebrating the first time we’ve ever closed on two easements in one day!

In a single day, we took a major step forward in protecting Vermont’s natural waterways by conserving two dynamic and ecologically important river corridors. These newly established River Corridor Easements will ensure that vital floodplain, wetland, and riparian ecosystems remain intact, allowing natural processes to unfold while offering long-term benefits for wildlife, water quality, and downstream communities.

What Is a River Corridor Easement?

River Corridor Easements are conservation tools that allow rivers the space they need to move and meander naturally. By protecting adjacent floodplains and wetlands from development and other disturbances, these easements reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Importantly, they also enhance flood resilience for nearby towns and villages.

On this landmark day, two such easements were completed: one on Millers Run in Sheffield, and another on the Wild and Scenic Missisquoi River in North Troy.

Learn more about River Corridor Easements here.

Gilman: Safeguarding Millers Run

The Gilman River Corridor Easement protects 22.5 acres of floodplain along a dynamic stretch of Millers Run. This effort brings crucial flood resilience to the downstream communities of Wheelock and Lyndon, which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather.

Through this easement, the Vermont River Conservancy will restore and maintain a healthy riparian buffer—a band of vegetation along the riverbank that shades and cools the water, providing prime habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life. The buffer also plays a key role in reducing erosion and filtering pollutants before they reach the Passumpsic River watershed.

LeBlanc: Preserving the Wild and Scenic Missisquoi

Further north, the LeBlanc River Corridor Easement secures 36.1 acres of floodplain, wetland, and river corridor along the Wild and Scenic Missisquoi River. Known for its natural flooding patterns, this stretch of the river plays a vital role in capturing sediments and pollutants, improving water quality for communities and ecosystems downstream.

Even more, the land conserved through this easement is part of a 1,000-acre habitat block, recognized as critical for wildlife connectivity. By maintaining this natural corridor, the project supports both terrestrial and aquatic species, ensuring they can migrate, reproduce, and thrive in a changing climate.

Looking Ahead

These two projects showcase how thoughtful conservation and a whole lot of teamwork can simultaneously address environmental, ecological, and community resilience goals. By giving rivers the room they need to breathe, we’re not only protecting wildlife and water quality—we’re also investing in the long-term safety and well-being of Vermont’s people and places.

One day, two easements, and a powerful reminder that protecting our rivers protects us all.