Natural Area: Mt. Mansfield
About Mt. Mansfield
The University of Vermont owns and conserves nearly four hundred acres that make up the summit ridge of Mount Mansfield,. This mountain preserve providesing a wealth of opportunities for students and educators to research subjects such as alpine plant ecology, snow hydrology, meteorology, ornithology, and recreation, and more.
Mount Mansfield is extensively used in all seasons for recreation, including hiking, skiing, and foliage viewing. This makes the site one of the most visited of UVM’s Natural Areas.Trails, a toll road, and a gondola provide access to the summit where the landscape includes rock outcrops, alpine meadows and subalpine krummoltz (stunted trees).
Research
Mount Mansfield is the most studied UVM Natural Area. The Vermont Center for Ecostudies has been conducting breeding bird research on the mountain for over two decades. Other researchers, including climate scientists, soil scientists, hydrologists, entomologists, and forest ecologists have conducted research coordinated through the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative.
Education
Students from environmental science, forestry, and recreation programs study the natural communities of Mount Mansfield. For many years Stowe Mountain Resort has provided access via the Gondola to first year Rubenstein School students to access the mountain as part of their Introduction to Natural Resources class. Botanists conduct rare plant hikes along the long trail to foster an understanding of the unique alpine vegetation.
Community
The Green Mountain Club maintains the long trail and the associated network of trails on Mt. Mansfield. They have long been is a key partner to UVM, providing stewardship and visitor education during the busy summer months. GMC summit caretakers educate the public about the rare alpine vegetation and the importance of staying on the trail and not walking on plants.