2023 Annual Meeting

The South Burlington Land Trust held its 20th annual meeting at Wheeler House on Sunday, June 25, 2023.  The business meeting included financial reports, re-election of two board members for 3-year terms, Rosanne Greco and Alyson Chalnick, and robust discussion among the members. A potluck meal followed and the annual SBLT Award was presented to Chief Don Stevens, who accepted the award on behalf of the Western Abenaki People. The text of the certificate read as follows:

The South Burlington Land Trust presents its annual award for 2023 to the Western Abenaki people who have inhabited this land (N'dakinna) for thousands of years. The very land now called South Burlington was a crucial center for the indigenous people, especially the area called "The Plains'' stretching east from what is now Burlington to the Airport and along the Winooski River and its tributaries, and south to Shelburne Pond. The native people stewarded the resources they received in this homeland and still honor the inherent natural and spiritual values of the earth, water, animals and plants. The mission of the South Burlington Land Trust stresses cooperation of communities in preserving what land and natural resources remain for our shared future. The Abenaki's are an abiding inspiration for our organization and a conscience for all people living in this region today, whose intent is to protect and restore the sacred resources which have been compromised over the span of human history.