“Save the Mayo Farm” became the rallying cry that triggered the creation of the Stowe Land Trust as we know it today. It was in 1986 when Johannes von Trapp, George Rau, and John McVickar first became concerned about the rumored development planned for this 235 acre parcel on the outskirts of the Village. For years locals had been using the dirt road cutoff between Rt. 108 and 100. This mile long road wound over the farm’s rolling meadows which were then, as now, dotted with black and white Holsteins. It was felt then, as now, that to lose these open vistas would forever change the rural character of the Stowe community.

Under the leadership of John McVickar, a lawyer and then resident of Stowe, a land trust modeled after Cape Cod’s Falmouth "Three Hundred Committee" was formed. The local Stowe group was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987 as "Friends of Stowe Conservation, Inc." A Board of Directors that included current Board Members John Merrill and George Stearns was named. John McVickar became President, Treasurer and Secretary. Shortly thereafter, Trow Elliman, then publisher of The Stowe Reporter, was named Chairman of the Board.

In 1988, with the assistance of Anne Lusk, the first paid staff member, the fledging organization was successful in convincing the voters at Town Meeting to approve the acquisition and bonding of the Mayo Farm. At the closing, "Friends of Stowe Conservation, Inc." dba Stowe Land Trust, transferred the title to the Town subject to conservation restrictions. The responsibility for monitoring these restrictions was retained by the Stowe Land Trust.

By the closing of the Mayo Farm, Stowe Land Trust, or SLT, as it became known, had grown from a small handful of Stowe residents to a bona-fide organization. New Board Members included Charlie Burnham, Herb Hillman, Bruce Nourjian, Katharine Greenewalt and Merton Pike. Its purpose, as defined in the first official Mission Statement, was “to preserve the open spaces, scenic vistas and rural beauty in this unique corner of the world.”

John McVickar continued to serve as President of the SLT until 1996 when he resigned his post prior to leaving Stowe. SLT’s Vice President had also just resigned from the board, leaving the SLT in a rather tenuous position. For the next few months, Mr. Elliman became the acting President in effect as the search began for a new President. Rising to the challenge, 75-year-old farmer Merton Pike agreed to take on the Presidency for one year on the condition that he had a working Vice President who would take over after one year. Bruce Nourjian, owner of The Commodores Inn, stepped to the front and agreed to take on the position. Following Mr. Pike, in 1997, Mr. Nourjian took over the Presidency for the next three years.

It was during this crucial time that the need for a full-time salaried Executive Director became most apparent. John McVickar had ably fulfilled this role during his Presidency. But with Mr. McVickar gone, and more and more projects piling up, there was no way the organization could continue to be handled on a volunteer basis. Following Anne Lusk, the SLT had had a succession of part-time staff members including Donna Higgons, who spearheaded the Wiessner Woods acquisition in 1992. But it was not until 1997 that the land trust hired its first full time Executive Director, Tara Hamilton. For the next three years, Ms. Hamilton worked diligently with first Mr. Pike, then Mr. Nourjian, as more and more projects were completed, such as Sunset Rock, the Moscow Recreation Field and Landmark Meadow.

As the membership grew, the Board likewise increased in size, talent and diversity. This brief history cannot possibly do justice to the contribution of each and every Director. The Stowe Land Trust Boards of Directors go far beyond the call of duty. Board members assist with pro-bono legal work, accounting and treasury expertise, computer programming, real estate advice, event organizing, financial support and natural history skill.

Following the presidency of Mr. Nourjian, in 2001, John Merrill, then CFO of Brysties, moved up from Vice President to President. There was also a change in Executive Director, when after a three-year stint Tara Hamilton resigned to help start up a land trust in her hometown of Waitsfield, Vermont. Another very talented Executive Director, Kathleen Fitzgerald, replaced her in 2000. It was during this period that the Pinnacle Project was finally completed and Bingham Falls was conserved along with a number of other significant projects. Annie Dwight replaced Karen Sharpwolf as part-time Programs Assistant in 2002.

At the annual meeting in 2003, more changes came about. Mr. Elliman stepped down as Chairman of the Board after serving in that position for 12 years. At the same time, John Merrill stepped down as President and was elected to become the new Chairman. Jack Patten, former publisher of Business Week, was elected to be new President of the SLT. Shap Smith, an attorney and member of the Vermont legislature, was elected Vice President.

Later that year, Executive Director, Kathleen Fitzgerald, left SLT to serve in the same capacity for the Northeast Wilderness Trust.  She was replaced by Heather Furman.  Furman, an avid outdoors woman and conservationist brought a diverse and valuable skill set to SLT.  Within her first year at SLT, the organization had conserved an additional four properties.

2005 brought another round of changes for SLT, as Programs Coordinator, Annie Dwight, left to attend the New York School of Law.  Quinn Keating stepped in as SLT’s Development and Administrative Coordinator.  Additionally, long time SLT Board member Charlie Berry, was elected as the new President and Gaetano Vicinelli was elected as Vice President.  The stage was set for what would prove to be some of the most dynamic and exciting years that SLT had ever seen.

Back in June of 2004, SLT learned of a potential housing development adjacent to the world famous Trapp Family Lodge.  Adams Camp, as the property was known, was a 513 acre forested parcel that had played an integral role in Stowe’s rural, scenic, and recreational history.  The Adams Camp Heritage Project quickly escalated into the single most ambitious conservation effort that SLT had ever undertaken.  Two years later, in September of 2006, the project was completed, marking the beginning of a new chapter for SLT.

At the 2006 Annual Meeting just weeks after the completion of the Adams Camp project, Gaetano Vicinelli was elected as President, replacing Charlie Berry.  Elaine Nichols, an attorney in Stowe, was elected as Vice President.

Since the creation of the Stowe Land Trust, the organization has completed 27 conservation projects, four of which are owned and managed by Stowe Land Trust and preserved over 3,100 acres. Stowe Land Trust’s membership has been growing strong and fundraising events continue to be a vital part of the organization’s success. Though the leadership of the Board of Directors, strong staff, and membership support, Stowe Land Trust continues to be dedicated to the conservation of scenic, recreational, and productive farm and forest lands for the benefit of the greater Stowe community.