Pease Mountain Natural Area provides a classic example of a Northern hardwood natural community on a small mountain in Charlotte, Vermont. The mountain provides fantastic views of most of the Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Mountains, thanks to its location near Lake Champlain. Pease Mountain is located behind the Charlotte Central School, and access is through the school’s parking lot.  

Pease Mountain serves as a prominent field site for studying the ecological dynamics of the Champlain Valley. The Vermont Center for Ecostudies has utilized the area for over 20 years to conduct annual forest breeding bird surveys. Current and past research initiatives include natural community mapping, landscape assessments by graduate students, and the establishment of long-term monitoring plots for vegetation and wildlife. These efforts help scholars understand the diversity of the mountain's mesic forests and fragile calcareous rock outcrops. 

In the past, an environmentalist-in-residence program has linked UVM environmental students with Charlotte Central School students to create interpretive trails and learn about the environment. The program allowed UVM interns to mentor local students in environmental education and to study the interdependence of people and healthy ecological systems. UVM students in programs like LANDS and the Environmental Program have gained hands-on experience in trail assessment, boundary marking, and conservation planning utilizing this property. 

Pease Mountain is a vital community asset that provides public access to hardwood forest and calcareous outcrop habitats through a managed trail system. The University maintains active partnerships with the Charlotte Conservation Commission and local developers to ensure responsible land use and continued public access. The Charlotte Trails Committee has greatly enhanced the trail system with trail markers, signs, and interpretive materials. A central feature of community engagement is the Pease Mountain Stewardship Project, a cooperative effort that involves local youth in the direct care of the land. These collaborations elevate the mountain's value as a shared resource for education, recreation, and regional conservation.