Friends and Family Come Together to Build Memorial Trail

Guided Hike on Tim's Trail to Highlight Vermont's Ecological Gem

West Haven, Vermont—1 October 2004—The Nature Conservancy announced the completion of ‘Tim’s Trail’, a 2.8 mile trail at the Helen W. Buckner Memorial Preserve at Bald Mountain, in West Haven, Vermont. Tim Kuehn died tragically at the age of 23, the day after completing his B.S degree from the University of Vermont. Over 100 individuals, members of Tim’s family, his friends, and volunteers, came together to create a permanent memorial to Tim’s love for the natural heritage of Vermont.

"We have been deeply moved by the response," said Sandy and Bill Kuehn, Tim’s parents and residents of West Haven, VT. "Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, and the support of the Nature Conservancy, we have been able to create a lasting legacy for Tim, and an opportunity for everyone to enjoy one of the places that he loved best."

Tim was a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Buckner Preserve, which is the largest and most ecologically diverse preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy in Vermont. Writing in his journal, Tim described his connection with the Champlain Valley.

"Many times I have sat on the ridge, curious as to what I might see…a red-tailed hawk soared past me. I watch him as he slips in and out of sight …..he flew almost directly at me, we were almost eye-to-eye.…For that one second I thought had been discovered, but he didn’t seem to have noticed me……This time spent writing here has given me great opportunity to relax, taking in the breeze which feels incredibly good, and observing the beauty that I am intruding in."

The Buckner Preserve is home to 11 rare and uncommon animal species, including the peregrine falcon and the five-lined skink, Vermont’s only lizard, and 18 rare and uncommon plants such as the Golden Corydalis and the Chestnut Oak. This landscape is as diverse as any in Vermont, with the dramatic south facing cliffs of Austin Hill, the magnificent wetlands of Ward Marsh, and the southern headwaters of Lake Champlain.

"Tim’s Trail is a wonderful addition to the preserve, and offers people the opportunity to experience more of the preserve's beauty and natural diversity," said Heather Potter, Director of the Nature Conservancy’s Southern Lake Champlain Valley Program. "As the trail traverses fields and forests hikers can enjoy several view points, before looping back to an information kiosk also built by the volunteers."

The Buckner Preserve is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Lake Champlain Valley Program. Funded by three chapters from Vermont, Eastern New York and the Adirondack Chapter and Adirondack Land Trust, this program is focused on preserving and restoring the unique ecology of this region.

The Nature Conservancy will be conducting the first guided hike on Tim’s trail on October15th. For more information or for brochures on the preserve and hiking trails contact Mary Droege at, (802) 265-8645 ext 21 or mdroege@tnc.org.