Our Work
The South Burlington Land Trust has played a role in land conservation efforts that have collectively protected approximately 500 acres of open land in South Burlington. We work with partners whose goals align with ours, BUT we do not hold easements or own land of our own. We have provided financial support, run advocacy campaigns and played advisory roles. Each case is different and we invite you to explore their stories.
Current Initiatives
The Long Property: A Conservation Opportunity for South Burlington
We have a unique opportunity to conserve approximately 39 acres of land in an area of South Burlington which is rapidly losing open spaces to housing developments. This land, known as the Long property, has been identified in numerous City studies as one of most important areas of land in our City for conservation. Conserving this property will protect the natural resources it contains while providing residents with opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation.
Vermont Legislature and S.100
One of the first pieces of legislation to start its way through the Vermont Legislature in January 2023 was H.68, a House Bill intended to encourage more housing in Vermont. The belief on the part of some is that Vermont is not providing enough housing options for people. Indeed there is a serious need for affordable housing for workers. The stated aim of the bill was to encourage housing in village and city centers and other designated growth areas determined by municipalities. The bill and its companion bill in the senate S.100 (Senate Omnibus Bill on Housing) were quite prescriptive in defining state-wide zoning rules. SBLT quickly became concerned that this one-size fits all approach was going to have unintended consequences, not only in So. Burlington, but in other communities with different situations. We were concerned about local planning efforts being overridden by state-wide mandates, which could actually promote sprawl and undercut efforts at mitigating climate change, including those voted by the State of Vermont. More importantly, we were concerned that the bill would result in housing being built over formerly protected open lands containing vital natural resources in South Burlington. The SBLT responded several times in writing, in public forums and in person before legislative committees. The South Burlington City Council and the Planning and Zoning Department also weighed in before the legislative committees involved and indeed, suggested clarifying language which could strengthen the bill, without threatening local planning efforts and natural resources. Below are links to the testimony SBLT provided. Fortunately we, and our partners in the City and elsewhere in Vermont, were successful in getting some exemptions included in the Bill for lands which had been zoned for environmental protection. The Bill was passed and is now in force as Act 47.
New efforts are underway in the 2024 legislature to again attempt to impose statewide zoning to facilitate more housing.
SBLT Testimony before the Vermont Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
SBLT Testimony before the Vermont House Committee on Environment and Energy
Underwood Path and Hubbard Park
In 2013 the City Council authorized the purchase of 60 acres of the former Underwood Farm on Spear St. (the upward sloping field and woods with a view of Overlook Park and Lake Champlain). The purchase was enabled by the use of Open Space funds over 3 years. Common Roots has been growing vegetables on several acres of this land. The City has held community conversations to determine the ultimate uses of the land. In 2021 the land was renamed Thomas Hubbard Park, in honor of the retiring Asst. City Manager, who had a long career with the City, also serving as department head for Recreation and Parks. In 2020-21 the conversation turned to the proposed multi-use path slated to run north/south bisecting the field and connecting Nowland Farm Rd. with the South Pointe neighborhood (and ultimately South Village). There is also a parking area under discussion. The discussion has raised concerns for the SBLT, which would preferred alternatives to paving (such as mowing only, or use of natural materials or porous pavers). These ideas center on our desire to keep the park natural and undeveloped. The SBLT has submitted a letter regarding our position.
WHEELER NATURE PARK
Wheeler Nature Park is a widely used community resource, with walking trails, community gardens, and a popular outdoor event space, all with beautiful views of the Green Mountains. SBLT helped facilitate its development and was influential in preventing the South Burlington Police Station from being relocated onto the property. Our work resulted in a win-win for all parties: The Police Station moved to a much needed new facility at different location and Wheeler Nature Park became the community treasure that it is today.
Fortunate Recipients of Citizen Foresight
“My husband and I moved to the SE corner of Swift Street and Brand Farm Dr in South Burlington 7 years ago. We are thankful for the many years of citizen effort that turned a dream into a reality in the creation of the 140 acre Wheeler Nature Park. Our south facing first and second floor windows offer a view into and over breathtaking seasonal views. It is also wonderful to observe the comings and goings of hikers, dog walkers, children and families with backpacks, sleds, snowshoes, cameras, picnic and painting supplies entering and exiting this most precious natural wonder . How lucky are we! Thank you!” Joanne Necrasan
BREAD AND BUTTER FARM
THE CONSERVATION OF TWO FAMILY FARMS
The Bread and Butter Farm is located on more than 500 acres of land on the eastern border of South Burlington and Shelburne. This land was once part of several family farms and, while it might have been sold for development, it is now conserved for agricultural use. In addition to producing food, the Farm hosts many educational programs, public events, and is planning to develop walking trails for public use. SBLT advocated and lent financial support to facilitate the preservation of this property as agricultural land.
Past Projects
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Wheeler Nature Park
Spear-headed advocacy efforts to save Wheeler Park land from use by the Police Department in 2008, for which we won the Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Award in 2011 given by ECHO and the Free Press.
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Bread and Butter Farm
-2009 Contributed funds to Vermont Land Trust to ensure the conservation of the former Leduc Farm, now Bread and Butter Farm.
-2018 Championed conservation of the former Auclair Farm (now being managed by Bread and Butter Farm and VLT) and contributed funds..
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Interim Zoning
Participated in the Sustainable Agriculture/Food Security, Open Space, Affordable Housing, and Form-based Code committees during the 2011 Interim Zoning period. Participated in and chaired the Open Space and TDR 2018 IZ committees.
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Collaboration with UVM
-Contributed funds to support the UVM LANDS Program 2009--Natural Resource Inventory and Management Recommendations for Wheeler nature Park.
-Facilitated the UVM PLACE Program’s research on natural areas found in So Burlington, studying the Leduc and Bandel properties in 2009, for which we were awarded a 2011 UVM Outstanding Service Learning Partner award.
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Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership
Charter and current members of the Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP) which fosters crosstown cooperation in environmental stewardship.
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Sewer Ordinance Amendment
Drafted a sewer ordinance amendment to direct sewer allocation to the areas where the City wants development. Presented proposal to City Council.
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Edlund/Martin Property
Developed a position paper regarding UVM’s proposed sale of the Edlund/Martin Property for development in 2017.
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Ewing Property
Supported conservation, and in 2018, contributed funds for the South Burlington portion of the Ewing property on the SB/Shelburne line.
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Awards Program
Host our annual awards program to honor community members or organizations whose work has been in line with our mission. See award recipients.
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Exit 12B
Conducted a petition drive against Exit 12B in 2011.
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Community Survey
Designed and conducted, in partnership with The Other Paper, “The South Burlington 2011 Community Survey.”
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Green Up Day
Sponsored Green Up Day in collaboration with the City 2005-2010; principle organizer 2011-2019.
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Comprehensive Plan
Participated in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan by giving input.
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Increasing Open Space Fund
In 2019 the SBLT became convinced that the most important strategy in conserving more land and mitigating climate change would be to increase the funding within the Open Space Fund, in order to support more willing landowners in conserving their property, while also being able to get back their expected financial value. The SBLT devised two plans to boost the fund: "Cents for Conservation" ("C4C") in 2019 and "4 for Four" in 2021. Both plans stressed the history and uses of our Open Space Fund and the benefits and tools of conservation. "C4C" proposed a 2 cent increase (total of 3 cents) in the special tax supporting the Open Space Fund, for a limited period of time. "4 for Four" proposed an additional 4 cents on the tax rate for four years. The SBLT asked the City Council to authorize a ballot item for each of these plans, and in both cases, they declined.
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New Land Development Regulations and Environmental Protection Standards
During the three years (2019-21) of work on the Land Development Regulations, the SBLT followed and contributed to the many discussions of the Planning Commission, particularly related to the new Environmental Protection Standards (Chapter 12). This new chapter replaces the former "Water Protection Standards" and greatly expands its scope to other natural resource features such as habitat blocks, buffers, hazards and interconnected forest blocks. The City Council adopted the LDR changes as presented on Feb. 7, 2022.
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Airport Rezoning Proposal
In 2019 the Burlington International Airport leadership began considering the use of 10 acres of their land on the western edge of the airport, adjacent to the Chamberlin neighborhood, for maintenance and storage uses. Since the currently wooded land was zoned for residential use, and would require a zoning change. The neighborhood people currently use the area for walking and relaxing. The neighborhood has suffered the loss of several hundred affordable homes due to noise standards. The Planning Commission put together an "Airport Rezoning Task Force" in late 2021, to consider the proposal and make recommendations, taking into consideration the needs of the neighborhood and the airport, and taking public comment. The SBLT submitted comments against the rezoning. In the end, this land was not rezoned and remains available to the community for walking.
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Land Development Regulation Advocacy
The SBLT followed the Planning Commission’s work rewriting Chapter 12 (Environmental Protection Standards) of the Land Development Regulations. The SBLT took an active role attending these meetings to clarify and help shape this chapter which is solely devoted to protecting the environment. More recently, the SBLT gave input toward the new City Plan.
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Open Space Fund Proposal
The SBLT is proposed to ask the voters to increase the Open Space Fund to permit more land purchases by the City. We presented our proposal to the Natural Resources and Conservation Committee, the Energy Committee, and the Parks and Recreation Committee. We briefed the City Council on our proposal on August 2, 2021.
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Vermont Legislature and S.100
One of the first pieces of legislation to start its way through the Vermont Legislature in January 2023 was H.68, a House Bill intended to encourage more housing in Vermont. The belief on the part of some is that Vermont is not providing enough housing options for people. Indeed there is a serious need for affordable housing for workers. The stated aim of the bill was to encourage housing in village and city centers and other designated growth areas determined by municipalities. The bill and its companion bill in the senate S.100 (Senate Omnibus Bill on Housing) were quite prescriptive in defining state-wide zoning rules. SBLT quickly became concerned that this one-size fits all approach was going to have unintended consequences, not only in So. Burlington, but in other communities with different situations. We were concerned about local planning efforts being overridden by state-wide mandates, which could actually promote sprawl and undercut efforts at mitigating climate change, including those voted by the State of Vermont. More importantly, we were concerned that the bill would result in housing being built over formerly protected open lands containing vital natural resources in South Burlington. The SBLT responded several times in writing, in public forums and in person before legislative committees. The South Burlington City Council and the Planning and Zoning Department also weighed in before the legislative committees involved and indeed, suggested clarifying language which could strengthen the bill, without threatening local planning efforts and natural resources. Below are links to the testimony SBLT provided. Fortunately we, and our partners in the City and elsewhere in Vermont, were successful in getting some exemptions included in the Bill for lands which had been zoned for environmental protection. The Bill was passed and is now in force as Act 47.
New efforts are underway in the 2024 legislature to again attempt to impose statewide zoning to facilitate more housing.
SBLT Testimony before the Vermont Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
SBLT Testimony before the Vermont Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs
SBLT Testimony before the Vermont House Committee on Environment and Energy