This legislation established State goals to conserve 30 percent of the land of the State by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050, guided by the State’s conservation vision, also set out in the legislation. It requires the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, in consultation with the Agency of Natural Resources, to develop an inventory of the existing conserved lands in the state and develop a forward-looking plan on how to reach the goals outlined in the Act.

There is an urgent need to coordinate actions related to conservation, land access, and environmental health, across Vermont’s landscape. With increased strategic conservation investments, we can protect our food and fiber supply, increase biodiversity and enhance the resilience of our communities, while also promoting the critical interconnections among ecological, individual and community health.