Here is our Autumn update on Champlain Area Trails so please enjoy reading about our progress.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) recently merged with a newer organization called Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP) to consolidate our resources and more effectively pursue our goals of connecting people with nature, promoting economic vitality, and protecting natural habitat, farmland, and scenic vistas. 

     With the official name “Champlain Area Trails,” we create trails that connect communities and provide enjoyment for residents and visitors.  CVCP is now a CATS program focused on protecting land, increasing outdoor education for all ages, and enhancing economic well-being by highlighting outdoor recreation. 

Great News!  We recently received a $90,000 grant from the J.C. Kellogg Foundation to:  1) Develop an outdoor education action plan for all ages in the central Champlain Valley, 2) Help our partner Northeast Wilderness Trust purchase the 81-acre Brookfield Headwaters Tract in Essex, 3) Establish an interpretive hiking trail on the property, 4) Begin a campaign to increase outdoor recreation based tourism here, and 5) Open our first office!   We are now located at 6482 Main Street in Westport.  Come by anytime.

Land Conservation – The Brookfield Headwaters Tract in the Split Rock Wildway is now protected.  CVCP negotiated this transaction on behalf of Northeast Wilderness Trust.  We will develop a self-guided interpretive nature trail on the property to teach people more about the Champlain Valley’s natural features.

New Brochure - CATS received a $1,200 grant from the Essex Community Fund in honor of Baird Vorhees to update and print our brochure which features a map of our trails.  It will be an effective guide for introducing people to this area and to the exciting new recreational opportunities we are developing.

Wildway Overlook Trail –This new trail leads the hiker to the crest of Boquet Mountain, in Essex, where it provides dramatic views of the Champlain Valley and the Green Mountains beyond.  It is quickly becoming a popular destination and was featured in one of the late Dennis Aprill’s last Outdoors columns in the Plattsburgh Press Republican. 

Boquet Mountain Farm, Essex - We coordinated the gift of a conservation easement on Boquet Mountain Farm when it was sold from the Eddy Foundation to young farmers.  The easement protects the farm, its forest, and 4550 feet of Boquet River shoreline.  This project promotes economic vitality because it supports local farming and growing healthy food for the community.

Events

• Climate Change – CVCP teamed with the Adirondack Council and Wildlife Conservation Society to bring renowned ecologist and author, Jerry Jenkins to Whallonsburg to discuss his latest book Climate Change in the Adirondacks.  An enthusiastic crowd filled the Grange and engaged in a lively discussion following Jerry’s 45-minute lecture.
• Keeping Track Wildlife Event – CATS-CVCP hosted Susan Morse and a cast of thousands—not people but animal pelts, skulls, track molds, feet, and other wildlife material that captivated over 220 people at Floral Hall in the Essex County Fairgrounds.  Sue presented a riveting slide show with entertaining stories and observations about wildlife, animal tracking, and the importance of preserving connected wildlife habitat.

CATS – CVCP in the News – We appeared on the front page of The Plattsburgh Press Republican in an excellent article describing our trails and conservation work.  We are also featured in the Adirondack Life Magazine 2010 Annual Guide and in two columns on the Valley News Adirondack Outdoors page.

In 2010, we can point to significant progress and impressive achievements.  Moving forward, we will expand healthy outdoor recreation opportunities for families and children.  We will soon send out a new postcard created by the artist and writer Steven Kellogg.  If you are not already on our email list, please send an email to champlaintrails@gmail.com to get this beautiful postcard.  We hope you will enjoy his pictorial celebration of our progress and generously support our work.

♫♫ Happy Trails ♫♫