Sharon – December 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Anne and Peter Silberfarb bought their property in the 1960s. Over the past 50 years they have been committed to stewarding the land’s ecologically rich forests and wetlands. This month, they donated a conservation easement to the Vermont Land Trust on 196 acres of the property, ensuring that it will remain undeveloped for generations to come.
Their diverse property includes stands of white pines, oaks and maple trees, streams, wetlands, and many wildflowers and ferns. A vernal pool is located on a plateau between the two highest points of the property. Vernal pools appear in the spring and provide essential breeding habitat for amphibians.
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The property also abuts 298 acres of previously conserved land, which connect to another 1,700 conserved acres. Conservation of large blocks of land strengthens the protection of travel corridors used by wide-ranging mammals such as moose, bobcats and bears.
“Pete and I have served on the boards of a number of environmental organizations over the years, gaining knowledge to improve the habitat for wildlife, silviculture and wildflowers,” explained Anne Silberfarb. “We are fortunate that the Vermont Land Trust will protect this land so that it will not be developed and the woodlands will provide a habitat for wildlife forever.”
As part of the ongoing stewardship of their land, Anne and Peter have been selectively cutting plants and trees to promote growth of a stand of beech trees that appear to be tolerant of a fungus that has been devastating the beech population of Vermont. They are also doing battle with honeysuckle, an invasive plant that prevents native plants from growing in the forest.
The conservation easement on the Silberfarbs’ land is a perpetual legal agreement that will ensure the property is not further subdivided or developed, while allowing sustainable, productive use of the land. The Vermont Land Trust will be responsible for staying in touch with present and all future owners, and seeing that the terms of the conservation easement are upheld.
Support for this conservation project came from the Freeman Foundation, the Town of Sharon’s Conservation Fund, and several private donors
