Rocking Stone Farm Development Includes Donation of 200 Acres to Nature Conservancy

Federally Endangered Bats Feature in Stewardship Goals

Manchester, VT—January 10, 2006—The Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy, announced today the conservation of a 203 acre parcel of land on the eastern flank of Mt. Equinox. The tract, donated to the Conservancy by Rocking Stone Farm LLC, includes the land between Skinner Hollow and Cooks Hollow and part of the ridgeline between Mt. Equinox and Little Equinox.

Rocking Stone Farm LLC acquired the 300 acre parcel in 2004 with the intent of developing the lowland portion of the abandoned farmstead. Twelve single family residences and twelve town homes are planned on the site.

Tommy Harmon, one of the principals of Rocking Stone Farm LLC noted that, “As we worked through the permitting process our knowledge of the ecological value of the highlands grew. We wanted to do more than just protect the uplands from development. We began a search for a conservation partner with demonstrated scientific expertise, and the ability to manage the land over the long-term. The Nature Conservancy fit the bill.”

The Equinox Highlands, rising from the nutrient rich bedrock of the Taconic Mountains, is home to one of the largest areas of ‘rich’ northern hardwood forest in New England. Here this forest community, typically only found in small patches, covers an expanse of 2,000 acres. It is one of the most important natural areas in the state. Mineral rich soils support a wide diversity of plants and animals above ground, while below ground a network of tunnels and caves created by the flow of water provide refuge for more reclusive creatures.

Harmon and his partner Neil Joseph discovered that the site was home to a prestigious resident, the federally endangered Indiana bat.

“High quality roosting trees in this location are used by Indiana bats at least in the spring and fall, if not year round,” said Scott Darling, VT Fish and Wildlife biologist. “With plummeting populations the Indiana bat, and eight other bat species found in Vermont, need protected habitat both above and below ground.”

Old snags in the uplands have been left standing to create more roosting sites for bats, and two of only three caves in Vermont known to harbor Indiana bats over winter are located in the surrounding hills. This is good news for the residents of Manchester, just a small colony of 50 bats can eat 30 million insects over the course of the summer.

Walkers heading south on the trail from Equinox Pond will first pass underneath the distinctive cliff formation known as Table Rock, and then on past the newly protected parcel. Observing plants in the understory is the best way to identify ‘rich’ northern hardwood forests from their close cousin, ‘regular’ northern hardwood forests. While the varied blooms and abundance of spring flowers are a strong indicator of the rich northern hardwood forest, the distinctive circular form of maidenhair ferns and the presence of blue cohosh and wood nettle confirm identification. Studies of ¼ acre plots in Vermont and New York identified on average 48 herb species in a rich northern hardwood forest compared to 27 species in other hardwood forest communities.

The Nature Conservancy also recently acquired a 22-acre parcel of rich northern hardwood forest near Beartown Road in Manchester, bringing the total area conserved by this organization in the Equinox Highlands to more than 1,800 acres. Complementary activities by the Equinox Preservation Trust, the Green Mountain National Forest, UVM and the Vermont Land Trust are advancing conservation of the Highlands, for the benefit of both the human and animal inhabitants.

Learn more about the Indiana bat.