Growing up in rural Maine, Marie spent her days outside scrambling up big rocks, ice skating across frozen ditches, and wandering the 40 acres of woods behind her childhood home.
After years out west, Marie found her way to Vermont, where frequent visits to Stowe Land Trust properties sparked a desire to give back to the land.
Even before becoming a land steward, she dedicated her time to care for the places she loved. As a dog walker and Stowe’s animal control officer, Marie regularly leads dogs through the woods, picking up after her own and other dogs.
“If I’m using and enjoying something, I like to give back in some way,” she says. “I spent a lot of time on these properties, and I realized these places aren’t really free. People have to care for them to keep them open and accessible.”
Now a Stowe resident of nearly 22 years and a land steward for over a decade, Marie has cared for several properties. But Sunset Rock became her favorite, a home away from home. The quiet trails and large rocks at the peek-a-boo lookout remind her of her childhood. The wide field overlooking the mountains is perfect for her dogs to explore, and it’s where she discovered a love of birding.
“Despite it being small, there is a lot of nature. I’ve seen deer bedding areas, a family of fishers, a mama bear and her cubs, and so many birds. I love sitting up there, watching them fly overhead and listening to their birdsong.”
Marie stewards the land with compassion and thoughtfulness. After ice storms, she hikes up to free trees bent by the weight of the ice. On other visits, she moves big rocks and clears branches from the path. These small deeds make a big difference, ensuring others can safely experience the land.
“I try to keep it the way I would want to find it,” she says.
Her role goes beyond trail care. At Sunset Rock, Marie serves as a friendly presence, stopping to talk with visitors, introducing her dogs, and sharing why this land is so special. She encounters everyone from young families to longtime locals and first-time visitors, all drawn to the trail’s beauty and accessibility. Painted animal trail markers lead the way, while a gentler path offers an easier route to the mountain views.
“How many places can you walk five minutes and find a view of the mountains? It’s a blessing. Places like these keep people active and build community.”
Volunteer land stewards are the eyes and ears of the Stowe Land Trust. We could not do our job without them! Interested? Visit stowelandtrust.org/support/volunteer.