2003 Erosion Control: With the help of the Roy Foundation, the Stark Mountain Foundation provided a major grant for extensive erosion control work on approximately 23 acres of the Mad River Glen trail system. Eight hundred and eighty feet of wooden bridges were replaced with long-lasting plastic culverts, and 2200 feet of water bars were constructed to control high-flow runoff. All disturbed areas were mulched using 700+ bales of hay and 800 pounds of conservation mix seed. This work protects the water quality of Mill Brook, and will stabilize the soil and vegetation of the affected trails for decades to come. In snowmaking areas, this work will result in reduced snowmaking energy consumption because less snow will be required to open the trails for skiing.

Tree Planting: The Foundation funded a pilot tree planting project to determine whether planting nursery-stock trees is a viable method to replace aging and dead trees within the trail system ("trail trees"). Planting of ball-and-burlap balsam fir has proven successful. Experiments with sugar maple and paper birch are planned.

Carbon Offset Program:  The SMF teamed with Middlebury College and the Mad River Glen Cooperative in a study to determine the carbon footprint of the Cooperative, resulting in the establishment of a carbon offset program.  The Foundation issued a grant to purchase one year's worth of carbon offset credits for the Cooperative which will be used to help build manure-to-methane-to-electricity plants on Vermont farms.  The Cooperative established a "green" program whereby its customers are also requested to contribute towards the purchase of carbon credits to offset their consumption when commuting to ski.

Long Trail Maintenance:  The Foundation has teamed with the Green Mountain Club to raise funds that will be used to forever endow the cost of maintaining the section of the Long Trail that passes along the ridgeline of Stark Mountain.