Protecting the Character of Vermont

Late in 2009, National Geographic Traveler Magazine came out with its 6th annual list of destinations rated by stewardship. As noted on their website, "the list-isn't a popularity contest. It is an assessment of authenticity and stewardship, evaluating the qualities that make a destination unique and measuring its "integrity of place."

The State of Vermont scored an impressive 78 points, placing us FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES, and FIFTH IN THE WORLD, between Ancient Kyoto and Slovenia.

In spite of these accolades, the Vermont we celebrate is at risk.

For years, big-box retailers, strip development, and neglect have threatened our historic resources, small-town nature and rural landscape. We believe the preservation of Vermont's downtowns and village centers goes hand-in-hand with the conservation of our rural landscape.

Some of our areas of high activity include participating with the Vermont Natural Resources Council in controlling large scale Wal-Mart developments in St. Albans and Bennington Vermont, and controlling out-of-scale Lowe's and Home Depot developments in other areas of the state.