Additions to the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area make more public land available
Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area
More public land in western Addison County will soon be available, and protected for wildlife, as 330 acres are added to the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area. The public is invited to attend a celebration atf the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Tuesday, July 28, from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
The celebration will include a reception with refreshments and speakers, followed by a short tour of the lands. Scheduled speakers include Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz and Fish & Wildlife Department Commissioner Louis Porter, among others.
The Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area is located in Cornwall and Bridport, Vermont and contains a slow-moving stream meandering through wetlands, farm fields, and some very productive wildlife habitat. The additional 330 acres will bring the wildlife management area’s total acreage to 744 acres.
“These lands provide rich habitat for a variety of species, including deer, waterfowl, grassland birds, and the federally endangered Indiana bat. These additional parcels will provide new roadside access to this wildlife management area to allow bird-watchers, hunters and anglers the opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors.” ~ Louis Porter, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Commissioner
The lands were purchased for $325,000 in partnership with the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Vermont Land Trust. The acquisition represents one of the largest single project investments of funds from the Vermont Duck Stamp Program.
In Vermont, waterfowl hunters are required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp and a Vermont duck stamp, but many non-hunters also choose to purchase a duck stamp in order to contribute to wildlife and wetland conservation.
Part of the funding for the purchase of these conserved lands also came from sales of the new Vermont Habitat Stamp. Modeled after the success of the federal duck stamp, the Vermont Habitat Stamp is a voluntary purchase that raises funds for the conservation and management of lands throughout Vermont. It is available with the purchase of a hunting or fishing license, or directly from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
“This major expansion of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area would not have been possible without the help of our many partners in conservation. We’d especially like to thank all of those Vermonters who pitched in to help contribute to our state’s conservation legacy.” ~ Louis Porter
This event is free and open to the public, and will be held at 1683 West Street, Cornwall, VT. For more information, contact Jane Lazorchak with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at 802-505-0561.