A multi-generational timber family in Vermont has successfully concluded a decade-long conservation initiative, permanently protecting more than 18,000 acres of land from development. The effort, which culminated in August 2026 with the finalization of the
The project was spearheaded by Andrew Meyer, whose family-run timber company, E.B. Hyde Corp., has managed the region’s woods since the 1950s. The initiative was carried out in three distinct phases, with the final stage placing over 3,400 acres into a conservation easement. This legal agreement restricts future development and land subdivision while allowing the family to continue
A Collaborative Approach to Land Stewardship
The conservation of the Worcester Woods was achieved through a partnership involving the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Vermont Land Trust, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Significant funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Forest Service’s
Under the terms of the easement, the land remains in private ownership, but the family has sold specific development rights to the state. This arrangement mandates that the property remains open for public use, including hunting. Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with Vermont Fish & Wildlife, noted that these easements are permanent, meaning the public access rights remain attached to the land regardless of any future changes in ownership.
Ecological Significance and Future Legacy
The conserved area is recognized by environmental experts as a vital wildlife corridor, connecting larger forest landscapes across northern New England and southeastern Canada. Kate Sudhoff of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation described the property as a significant ecological asset, featuring intact northern hardwood forests, wetlands, and a mile of undeveloped shoreline along East Long Pond.
In addition to the primary easement, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department acquired a 301-acre parcel from the Meyer family to expand the Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area. This addition supports the nearby Green Mountain Conservation Camp, a facility focused on outdoor education and natural science for youth. For Andrew Meyer, the project represents the fulfillment of a vision started by his grandfather, Hugo Meyer, who began acquiring abandoned farmland after World War II to reforest the region. By securing the land through easements, the family aims to ensure that the forest remains a contiguous, managed resource for future generations of loggers, hikers, and wildlife.
