Property Highlights
Eden Forest is one of the last remaining large blocks under one ownership in Vermont at 5,730 acres. The block is situated in the towns of Eden and Johnson in northern Vermont. It borders four miles of the Long Trail State Forest to the west and has an elevation range of 900 feet to 2,460 feet, just beneath Vermont’s ACT 250 critical high elevation zone at 2,500 feet. The block has been managed as timberlands with hardwoods being the primary species. The block is considered a high priority for maintaining critical wildlife linkages in the region.

Client
A privately owned timber management organization providing timberland investment management services to institutional and individual investors with operations and ownership in the Pacific Northwest, Northeast, and New Zealand.

Forestpark Work
Forestpark determined feasibility of alternative uses to forest management of the Eden Forest block and create conceptual subdivision layouts that comply with local land use regulations and drive land values upwards. Forestpark reviewed applicable state and local land use regulations, consulted with state land use officials, and local land use consultants to establish a regulatory framework within which to create alternative land use and subdivision programs. A site visit was made to ground findings. Forestpark developed a large lot forest community program enabling limited residential uses, while fostering a community working forest with trails and other shared public and private community features. Local brokers were contacted to determine price points for the resulting conceptual lot configurations.

Current Status
In 2010, a conservation easement was purchased by the Trust for Public Lands ensuring that no future development of the block would occur, while allowing the current and future owner(s) to continue to manage the block as a productive working forest.

High value wetland on property

45 minutes north of Montpelier, VT