The late Henry H. Carse spent much of his life in service to Vermonters. For decades, he served in the Vermont legislature, as the town moderator and the town school director. Now, through his family, his legacy of service will continue in the form of a new 225-acre natural area that was conserved with the Vermont Land Trust and donated to the University of Vermont by way of the UVM Foundation.
Henry purchased the land in the 1970s. It includes the majority of Hinesburg’s largest wetland complex and contains significant natural diversity. The property abuts his family’s farm, on which they raised Scottish Highland beef cattle. He is remembered as speaking of conservation on many occasions.
Henry passed away in 2008. In 2012, his family approached UVM, the Vermont Land Trust and the Hinesburg Land Trust to inquire about protecting the land.
“Our basic interests were clear: to preserve the natural treasures of the land while providing public access and educational programs,” said his son, Henry Ralph Carse.
By donating conservation and public access easements to the Vermont Land Trust and donating the land itself to UVM, the family has ensured that the property will remain undeveloped, open to the public, and its natural features will be protected.
The university will use the land for educational and research purposes.
The property is located east of Baldwin Road in Hinesburg, with views of the beaver pond, nearby hills and Camel’s Hump in the distance. The large pond and surrounding hills provide a haven for plant diversity and wildlife.
“The property’s wetland, calcium-rich ledges, and uplands have an impressive mix of uncommon species and forest types, including a red maple–northern white cedar swamp,” said Bob Heiser of the Vermont Land Trust.
"Acquiring the Carse conservation land will allow our students and faculty access to a wonderfully diverse landscape for educational and research pursuits,” said Rick Paradis, director of UVM’s Natural Areas Center. “The area contains natural communities and biodiversity elements not found on other UVM-owned lands."
The Hinesburg Land Trust raised funds to help cover the costs of the conservation of the Carse property.
“It is fitting that this transfer of ownership is happening during this season of giving,” said Lenore Budd of the Hinesburg Land Trust. “The Carse family’s generosity will be felt for many years as visitors to the property take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy and learn from nature.”
About the Vermont Land Trust
The Vermont Land Trust is a statewide, member-supported, nonprofit land conservation organization. Since 1977, the Vermont Land Trust has permanently conserved more than 1,750 parcels of land covering 530,000 acres, or nearly nine percent of the private, undeveloped land in the state. The conserved land includes more than 750 working farms, hundreds of thousands of acres of productive forestland, and numerous parcels of community lands. This conservation work changes the lives of families, invigorates farms, launches new businesses, maintains scenic vistas, encourages recreational opportunity and fosters a renewed sense of community.
About The University of Vermont
The University of Vermont combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution. The university is home to 9,970 undergraduates, 1,317 graduate students, 454 medical students and 1,364 full- and part-time faculty. Located in Burlington, Vermont (perennially voted one of America's most exciting small cities), UVM's setting in a valley on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green mountain ranges, inspires visitors and residents.
About The University of Vermont Foundation
The University of Vermont Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont.
About the Hinesburg Land Trust
The Hinesburg Land Trust is a non-profit, all volunteer community organization, founded by local citizens interested in land planning and conservation issues. HLT has helped conserve more than 2,000 acres of agricultural, natural and heritage land in Hinesburg.