In 2017, The Conservation Alliance awarded The Trust for Public Land Northern New England (TPLNNE) funding to help acquire and protect Rolston Rest, the largest unprotected inholding in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. The acquisition of 2,745 acres was completed in 2019 and in March 2023, transferred this property to the U.S. Forest Service for permanent protection and public access. This property encompasses dense forest, headwater streams, 30 acres of old-growth forest, and eight rugged peaks, and serves as the viewshed for the nearby iconic Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The conservation of this land is a boon for recreationists—the property hosts 3.2 miles of the Long Trail, 2.3 miles of the Catamount Trail, and an opportunity to support a burgeoning hut-to-hut system in the Green Mountains. In addition, Rolston Rest is a critical home for wildlife and a key connectivity landscape, supporting habitat for bear, moose, deer, and threatened northern long-eared bats.
