Sweet Conservation in Montgomery
This past fall, dynamic mother-daughter duo Sherry Underwood and Shannon Kane permanently conserved nearly 700 acres of working forestland that lies along the rolling ridgeline rising south from the Trout River in Montgomery Center. This land is within the largest remaining block of unfragmented forest entirely within CHC’s seven-town region — a 32,000-acre expanse of high-priority forest stretching from Waterville to Montgomery, the cradle of the Cold Hollow Mountains. A truly significant block of forest that is part of the Northern Green Mountains wildlife corridor, regarded as one of the most important — yet least protected — in the Northeast.
When asked what motivated them to protect this land forever, Shannon shared, “The healthy sugarbush, wildlife habitat, and working forest were too important to lose. We lease taps to a local sugarmaker, and protecting this land ensures Vermont’s sugaring tradition and rural character will continue for generations.” She added, “Conservation isn’t about restriction — it’s about protecting what matters most and making sure your land stays true to its purpose.”
By partnering with CHC, the New England Forestry Foundation, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and with additional support from the Town of Montgomery, Shannon and Sherry fulfilled their promise to safeguard a productive sugarbush, thriving stands of northern hardwoods and hemlocks, and miles of headwater streams from future development. “As a mother-daughter team, preserving this land feels like creating a lasting impact beyond our lifetime,” Shannon said. The project also allows for the continued use of an almost two-mile segment of a VAST trail beloved by snowmobiling enthusiasts during the winter months — an added benefit to the surrounding communities.
This is the essence of CHC’s mission: collaborating with landowners like Shannon and Sherry, alongside a strong network of stewardship and conservation partners, to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes for the communities and wildlife that call this region home. Together, we are making steady progress toward CHC’s goal of conserving an additional 23,000 acres by 2030 — a goal that is already 44% complete.
Reflecting on what permanent protection means on this land 50 years from now, Shannon shared her vision: “A thriving sugarbush, strong maples still tapped each spring, a healthy forest, and future generations continuing the Vermont tradition of sugaring.”
This project received support from the CHC Conservation Fund (Jesse B. Cox Charitable Trust & Canaday Family Charitable Trust), the Town of Montgomery Conservation Fund, and a grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board Sugarbush Conservation Program.
