Vermont to expand Snake Mountain WMA and secure 949 acres of timber rights

A conservation story that began nearly seven decades ago is entering a new chapter in Vermont. What was once a complicated split between land ownership and timber rights at Snake Mountain is now set to be reunited, potentially giving wildlife, forests and outdoor enthusiasts greater protection for generations to come. According to media reports, with support from the Trust for Public Land, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department plans to secure the timber rights covering 949 acres of the Snake Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The state also plans to acquire an additional 256 acres in Addison and Weybridge, expanding the popular natural area by nearly 25%. It is reported that both transactions are expected to be completed by early 2027. A major expansion for Snake Mountain Located between Addison and Weybridge, Snake Mountain WMA currently encompasses 1,215 acres of forested landscape surrounded largely by farmland. Its proximity to some of Vermont’s largest population centres makes it an especially valuable place for people seeking access to nature. The planned 256-acre addition would expand the protected area while improving habitat connectivity. The project is also expected to create new opportunities for hiking, hunting and wildlife watching. The effort will simultaneously reunite the state’s ownership of the land with the timber rights covering much of the WMA, allowing Vermont Fish & Wildlife to take a more coordinated approach to managing the landscape. Why timber rights matter When Vermont purchased the lands that became Snake Mountain WMA in 1959, the seller retained the timber rights. This meant that while the state owned the land for conservation and public access, responsibility for growing, managing and harvesting timber remained with the private owner. Such arrangements have historically been relatively common on Vermont Fish & Wildlife properties. More than six decades later, the state is seeking to bring those interests together. Acquiring the timber rights would allow Vermont Fish & Wildlife to coordinate forestry decisions with its broader goals for wildlife, recreation, water quality and habitat protection. Any future roads or skid trails required for timber harvesting could also be planned alongside conservation priorities. A haven for wildlife Snake Mountain is far more than a scenic hiking destination. The WMA contains eight types of wetlands, including a glacial bog estimated to be about 9,500 years old. Its forests and wetlands provide habitat for a remarkable range of species. Peregrine falcons nest on the mountain’s western cliffs, while mature trees provide roosting habitat for federally endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats. The landscape also supports woodland mammals, game birds, songbirds, amphibians and other wildlife. Protecting and connecting these habitats could become increasingly important as environmental conditions change. Building climate resilience Conservation groups say the expanded and reunified property could play an important role in climate resilience. The larger protected landscape would provide additional lowland forest habitat while helping safeguard wetlands and headwater streams. These interconnected natural areas can serve as important refuges for biodiversity and help species adapt as the climate changes. For a forested landscape surrounded by farmland, strengthening those connections could be particularly valuable. How the project is being funded The timber rights and additional acreage are being purchased from The A. Johnson Co., LLC, with funding assembled from local, state, federal and private sources. The project includes a $1.35 million grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Recovery Land Acquisition Grant programme, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It also includes $417,500 from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, support from the Town of Weybridge Conservation Fund and significant private donations. The availability of federal funding is linked largely to the habitat provided by Snake Mountain for endangered bat species. A long history of conservation The A. Johnson Co. has managed the timber rights at Snake Mountain for decades. The company has maintained that responsible forestry can coexist with wildlife habitat, recreation and healthy natural communities. The planned transfer marks an opportunity to bring those long-standing conservation and forestry interests under unified management. Vermont Fish & Wildlife officials say the agency is particularly appreciative of the stewardship that helped maintain the quality of the landscape over the past several decades. More land could soon join the WMA Snake Mountain’s expansion may not end with the 256-acre acquisition. In 2026, the WMA is also expected to receive a donation from The Nature Conservancy consisting of two adjoining parcels totalling 88 acres in Addison. Known as the Willmarth Woods Natural Area, the property contains one of the Champlain Valley’s largest low-elevation mature forest stands. The area features rich soils supporting a high-quality mesic red oak and northern hardwood forest. It also contains the trailhead for one of the main hiking routes leading to Snake Mountain’s summit. Planned as an addition to Snake Mountain WMA since 1992, Willmarth Woods could further strengthen the ecological and recreational value of the protected landscape. Image Courtesy: istock