Middlebury Area Land Trust directory

MALT was incorporated in 1987 as the “Middlebury Land Trust” with the purpose of preserving key open and scenic lands in Middlebury. At that time, Middlebury had a local farmland tax abatement program. When the State re-instituted their tax abatement program, Middlebury residents voted to transfer the money they were paying into the local program into a conservation fund. The land trust was charged with advising the select board on the use of these funds. One-half of the income from the Conservation Fund is provided to the Land Trust for administrative support each year.

In 1996, we expanded to include surrounding towns and changed our name to Middlebury Area Land Trust, or MALT. We have created nearly 30 miles of trails to make a complete loop around Middlebury with 2 bridges that span Otter Creek, and a spur trail heading to Snake Mountain. We are working with the National Park Service and North Country Trail Association to connect the TAM with the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Long Trail. We have conserved over 3,500 acres of land, farms, forests, wetlands and recreational areas. We hold 22 easements and own four properties and one façade easement. We have updated license agreements for trail to conservation easements. Our original 13 members have been increased to 229 members in 2018. You can learn about our conserved lands here. We offer environmental educational and recreational opportunities for all ages through naturalist themed-programs, year-round nature-based youth programs, and support several school projects from elementary to college level by providing outdoor classrooms on our conserved lands.

Work with local, regional and national entities to support volunteer and business efforts to increase economic vitality of the region and quality of life issues. National Public Lands Day, working with Lake Champlain Basin program to sponsor events advertised in NY times to increase visitation to the area, and provide TAM maps free of charge to area businesses and the Chamber of Commerce.