Act 59 Listening Sessions

We invite you to join us for a series of public listening sessions to share feedback on Act 59, also known as the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act. This act sets the goal of conserving 30% of Vermont’s land by 2030, and 50% by 2050. The planning process has been underway for more than two years. Phase 1, completed in 2024, involved a full inventory of Vermont’s conserved lands. Phase 2 is now underway and is currently in the public review stage of the draft expanded framework, which outlines goals, strategic pathways, and proposed actions to guide conservation across the state. These sessions are an important opportunity to help fine tune Vermont’s conservation plan.

The first session will provide an overview of the Draft Vermont Conservation Plan and its objectives. We are pleased to partner with and co-lead this session alongside the Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC).

The following three sessions will take a deeper dive into the different pathways of Draft Objective 2: Conservation for Communities. Each session will be led by a different partner in different locations in Addison County to bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the conversation. The second session will be led by the Otter Creek Natural Resources (NRCD) Conservation District. The third session will again be led by the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, and the fourth session will be hosted by Middlebury Area Land Trust.

Your participation in these listening sessions is critical to shaping the Vermont Conservation Plan. We encourage you to engage in discussion, ask questions, and share your feedback on the Draft Expanded Framework. We recognize that this initial draft has gaps, needs significant refinement, and will require thoughtful prioritization to ensure we implement the most critical actions first.

With your input, we can sharpen and prioritize these actions to develop a comprehensive plan that guides near term decisions in a strategic and thoughtful way, while honoring the full scope of Vermont’s conservation vision for 2030 and beyond.

Your feedback will help shape how the plan evolves before it is finalized and submitted to the Legislature by the end of June.

Please Provide Feedback Here
 

Listening Session Series

  • Co-led by MALT and ACRPC

    WHEN: Monday March 16, 4:00 - 5:30 PM (Virtual option available)

    WHERE: Middlebury Town Office

    In this session we will provide an overview of the Draft Conservation Plan, its objectives, & the scientific & planning tools behind it.

  • Lead by NRCD

    WHEN: March 23rd 5:30-7:00 PM

    WHERE: Middlebury NRCD Office

    (68 Catamount Park, Middlebury, VT 05753)

    TOPICS:

    • Increase Equitable Access

    • Promote Sustainable Working Lands

    Join Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District for an Act 59 community listening session on land access & sustainable working lands. This is an opportunity for farmers, forestland owners, and rural residents to direct Vermont’s Conservation Plan. We will provide information on our farm and conservation services, and offer stipends to underserved populations in agriculture to contribute their opinions on Addison County agriculture & sustainability. To request a stipend, there will be an in-person sign-up sheet if you attend the meeting. Underserved populations in agriculture may include, but is not limited to, farmers and agricultural workers who are women, BIPOC, LGBTQ, veterans, beginning farmers (under 10 years of experience), migrant and temporary farm workers, and farmers who do not own their farmland.

  • ACRPC lead

    WHEN: Wednesday March 25, 7:00 - 8:30PM

    WHERE: Monkton Town Office Conference Room

    (92 Monkton Ridge, Monkton, VT)

    TOPIC:

    • Strengthen Climate Resilience

      From recent flood disasters to prolonged droughts, Vermont has experienced a suite of climate‑driven impacts in the last five years. Join Addison County Regional Planning Commission staff for an Act 59 community listening session on Strengthen Climate Resilience (Pathway 3) of the draft Conservation Plan’s Objective 2: Conservation for Communities.

      The draft plan emphasizes that climate change is already reshaping communities and landscapes, making this pathway a priority for early action. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas on how conservation strategies can bolster community resilience in Addison County through actions including floodplain and wetland conservation, and integrating restoration into conservation projects. This is an opportunity for landowners and rural residents to direct Vermont’s Conservation Plan.

  • Listening Session #4

    MALT led

    WHEN: Wednesday, March 18th 6:00 - 7:30pm

    WHERE: Salisbury Town Office Building

    (Salisbury Town Clerk, 25 Schoolhouse Rd, Salisbury, VT 05769)

    TOPICS:

    • Promote Outdoor Recreation

    • Expand Place Based Education and Outreach

    Join us for a community listening session on two aspects of Vermont’s Act 59 land conservation plan: promoting outdoor recreation and expanding outdoor education and place-based learning. During this session, we’ll share ideas from the draft plan and invite your feedback on how Vermont can better connect people with conserved lands. We want your feedback on ways to improve public access to conserved lands, connect schools and communities with nature, and strengthen outdoor learning and stewardship programs. Your input will help shape strategies that make Vermont’s natural spaces more accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for everyone.