Shutesville Ledges
Shutesville Ledges is an 86-acre property in the heart of the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor that plays a key role in maintaining connections vital for wildlife between the Worcester Range and the Green Mountains. The protected forest boasts an area of bear-scarred beech trees, a deer wintering yard, several rock ledges and small wetlands, and a section of active sugarbush. Stowe Land Trust will manage the forest for forest products, ecological health, and wildlife habitat. The property was conserved in January 2024 with support from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor Partnership, Vermont Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy. Shutesville Ledges joins five other community natural areas owned and managed by Stowe Land Trust.
Public Access
Shutesville Ledges is open for dispersed public recreation and may be accessed via the public Right of Way on Megan's Way, located off Route 100 in Stowe. The property does not have public parking and there are no maintained recreational trails due to the property's primary conservation value for wildlife movement. Dogs must be leashed at all times to protect the value of the wildlife corridor.
Property Map
White Ash Preservation Patch
Stowe Land Trust is contracting with ACER Tree Co. to inoculate 15 white ash trees in an effort to protect this important species at Shutesville Ledges and in Vermont from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EABs are metallic green beetles from Asia that feed on all species of North American ash trees (Fraxinus genus). They have killed millions of ash trees since it was found in the Midwest in 2002. EAB kills 99-100% of infested ash unless trees are proactively treated with a chemical to kill the insect. It usually takes 3-5 years for ash to die and healthy ash of all sizes are susceptible.
Since being detected in Stowe in 2024, numerous organizations have been working together to protect ash trees through seed collection, public education, and inoculation. At DuMont Meadow, Stowe Land Trust has decided to protect 15 ash trees against EAB through a chemical that is injected into the bark of the tree—it's like getting a shot from a doctor!
Stowe Land Trust (SLT) manages two white ash preservation patches to keep ash on our landscape and as a future local seed source. Another preservation patch is located on SLT's DuMont Meadow property. Reinoculation must occur every 2-4 years to keep the trees healthy.
Did you know that ash are male or female? To ensure a viable seed source, SLT has inoculated both male and female ash. Female ash have willowy flowers in the spring and seed pods in the fall. Male ash have smaller spring flowers and no fall seed pods. Look for our tree tags to identify inoculated ash trees in this preservation patch.
Location
Shutesville Ledges is located on Megan's Way, Stowe. From the intersection of Route 100 and 108 in Stowe Village, head south on Route 100 for 2.8 miles. Turn left on Megan's Way and bear right at the fork in the road. Forest access is via an old logging road that meets Megan's Way at the emergency fire truck pullout for the fire pond.
Facts
- 86 acres
- Owned by Stowe Land Trust
- Conserved in 2024
- Within the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor
The protection of these 86 acres is a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship and the long-term health of our natural surroundings. Amy Stewart, SLT Board Chair
Would you like to know which uses are allowed on SLT-owned lands or make a request to use this property for a group outing, tour, or event? Check out our visitor information page or online Use Request Form.