|

What We Do
| Projects |
| Donate |
| Board |
| Articles |
| Bylaws |
| Tour |
| Links |
| Home |





| Contact |
|
Stark Mountain Foundation Grant Projects
Environmental Stewardship:
|
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.
|
 |
Environmental Education:
 |
Kent Thomas Nature Center: With generous support of the Tauck
Foundation, the aging building that once housed the drive for a rope tow on
the Slalom Hill was rehabilitated in 2003 as the Kent Thomas Nature Center.
The nature center houses interpretive displays on the ecology, wildlife,
geology, and other natural wonders of Stark Mountain. The foundation holds
several open houses at the Center during the year, in addition to providing
updated displays and physical maintenance. |
 |
Naturalist Program: The Stark Mountain Foundation has made periodic grants to
the Mad River Glen Naturalist Program
for interpretive displays, program support, and special naturalist programs as part of Greenwood
Week, a week long program of skiing and outdoor adventure for disadvantaged inner-city
youth sponsored by the Mad River Glen Ski Patrol.
Step It Up: As part of Earth Day 2007, the Stark Mountain
Foundation co-sponsored the kick-off event for "Step
It Up For The Mountains" in Waitsfield, VT. Several hundred persons
participated in the local event, one of over 1000 nationwide, designed to raise
awareness about global warming.
Land Acquisition:
 |
The Stark Mountain Foundation will continue to explore preservation of land and
real property on Stark Mountain, including property on the slopes of the mountain ridge, and
other land bordering the Cooperative's holdings.
Property ownership map. The Foundation can also serve
as a tax-deductible means to build a fund for land acquisition. |
Infrastructure Improvement and Preservation:
 |
Preservation of the Single Chair is part of the
Foundation's mission. The Foundation teamed with the
Preservation Trust of Vermont to solicit and provide funds to PTV's program
for the restoration of the historic "Single Chair" tramway located on Stark
Mountain. This program will last for up to five years and is based on
the pledges and donations of hundreds of individuals. The Foundation
provides a tax-deductible avenue to raise money for this work. |
|