New England
CONNECTING EVERYONE TO THE OUTDOORS IN 2025 AND BEYOND
Connecting Everyone to the Outdoors in New England!
Dear Friends,
Earlier this year, I spent some much-needed time outside with supporters of the newly protected White Rocks Gateway in Wallingford, Vermont. With a visit to the incredible Ice Beds Trail, a few centuries-old trees, and the second-largest white pine in the state, we indulged in a hearty dose of awe. I was equally struck by the fact that an unflappable effort by dedicated conservation champions has ensured this forest will always be protected—and accessible to the surrounding community and people from across the country.
In our fast-paced, ever-changing, and increasingly uncertain world, publicly accessible outdoor spaces are essential. They nourish our well-being and remind us that each day holds the promise of renewal. That is why Trust for Public Land is standing up for the outdoor spaces that bring us joy.
In New England and across the nation, you empower us to advance our mission to create, enhance, and protect the outdoor spaces that uplift and connect communities.
For the past five years, TPL has been guided by our strategic plan, concentrating our work around our commitment to building climate resilience, mental and
NEW ENGLAND BY THE NUMBERS
2020–2025 STRATEGIC PLAN ACHIEVEMENTS
36,800 acres across 39 places
Created outdoor classrooms at 5 SCHOOLS
Put a quality park within a 10-minute walk of
12,100 people
Protected and created over 125 miles of trails
physical health, and equity for communities across the country. The team and I are proud to report that from 2020 to 2025, we worked with communities across New England to create 39 new outdoor spaces and conserve over 36,000 acres for over 1,300,000 residents and visitors. In just the last year, we not only permanently protected White Rocks Gateway, but also brought a new community schoolyard to Boston, conserved vital forestland in Western Maine, and made immense progress on our efforts in the region to connect everyone to the outdoors.
When we unite to achieve our goals, the possibilities are endless. Together, we are shaping a future that prioritizes resilient communities and access to nature for all. Thank you for standing with us today as we create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable tomorrow for everyone.
With gratitude,
Shelby Semmes Vice President, New England Region
Ensuring the Future of Vermont’s Iconic Landscapes
Protecting Vermont’s natural landscapes is critical to our health, our economy, our environment, and our future. Vermont’s elected leaders recognize the state’s important role in protecting wildlife and communities from climate change and have issued the challenge to permanently conserve 30 percent of the state’s lands and waters by 2030. To meet the moment, TPL is scaling up land protection across the state. We are currently working to protect 8,100 acres of forestland in 17 communities across the state, and that is just the beginning.
Conserving Beloved Trails
In March, we conserved the 464-acre White Rocks Gateway in Wallingford as part of the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF)—ensuring public access for hikers, cross-country skiers, wildlife watchers, hunters, and anglers who frequent this property.
GMNF will manage the property for the protection of the plants and wildlife that depend on it now, and in the future, as climate change creates a need for connected habitat with diverse elevations.
We are working to protect treasured landscapes, like Snake Mountain in Addison County—the most visited Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Vermont. Nestled in the Champlain Valley, Snake Mountain has long been a recreation destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers—with hiking trails and stunning views— and serves as a sanctuary for countless species. However, many of its timber rights have remained in private hands, limiting efforts to manage the land for wildlife habitat and public recreation. TPL is working to change that by uniting 949 acres of timber rights with public ownership while also adding 256 acres of ecologically rich land to the WMA.
Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking
Our work in Vermont is part of a nationwide strategy to help communities leverage public lands and tap into the growing outdoor recreation economy. The newly created Wolcott Community Forest is part of that effort, with new trails and public access right by the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Wolcott center, and the elementary school. In 2025, TPL made a commitment to advance the Velomont Trail, a multiuse trail that supports mountain biking and backcountry huts. The future statewide trail system will improve public access to the outdoors, conserve surrounding woods and waters, and generate new economic growth in Vermont’s rural villages and towns.
Mountain biking tourists spend an average of $416 per visit, contributing to local businesses like lodging, restaurants, and retail establishments.”
TPL’s Land and People Lab
Snake Mountain PHOTO BY MAEVE KELLER
Safeguarding Maine’s Beloved Forests
We believe that nature is for everyone. In Maine, we are working to protect the state’s special places—conserving critical forests, safeguarding clean water, and offering all of us a place to explore, reflect, and come together. Through the creation of community forests, trails, public lands, and parks, we are expanding access to the outdoors and ensuring every Mainer and visitor feels a deep sense of belonging in nature.
We are thrilled to announce the permanent protection of South Branch Forest—3,840 acres that includes 7 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail along a branch of the Dead River near Rangeley. Because of support from outdoor advocates across the region, this effort will protect vital forestland, expand public access, and preserve the natural environment that makes Western Maine so special.
Elevating Indigenous-led Conservation
TPL and Penobscot Nation are partnering to return nearly 30,000 acres of land, known as Wáhseht k w (pronounced “WAH-seh-teg”), to Penobscot Nation. Together, we are advancing Indigenous-led conservation, restoring rightful governance and care of the land to Penobscot Nation, and optimizing access to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for communities like Millinocket that rely on the outdoor recreation economy. Thanks to generous supporters, we are more than halfway to our $32,500,000 fundraising goal for Wáhseht kw!
We hope to raise the remaining $14.6 million by the end of 2026 to support the return of Wáhseht kw to Penobscot Nation. We are on track to transfer the first 11,000 acres by the end of 2025.
We are advancing over 45,000 acres of land protection in Maine, including:
• Kingfield Community Forest & Maine Public Lands Expansion: TPL is leading an expansion of a community forest in Kingfield and state public lands to protect over 8,000 acres in Western Maine—home to the state’s tallest mountains, pristine waterways, and endless recreation opportunities.
• Southern Maine Parks and Trails Program: We are engaging partners and communities to acquire and develop new parks and trails, including the Portland Harbor Common, which will create a new public green space along Portland’s Eastern Waterfront.
We are very excited to work with TPL to return land back to the Penobscot Nation. The Nation highly regards the East Branch of the Penobscot River and her tributaries. We are ecstatic for the opportunity to explore and improve the aquatic and wildlife habitat and conserve more land in the Katahdin region for future generations.”
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis
Trout Pond on Wáhseht k w lands. PHOTO BY CHRIS BENNETT
Nurturing Spaces Where Massachusetts Communities Thrive
In Massachusetts, we partner with communities to create parks that strengthen social ties, improve health, and build climate resilience—while reflecting local voices to create dynamic places where people feel connected to their gathering and play spaces.
Celebrating Green Space Wins
After six years of collaboration between TPL, Boston Parks and Recreation, and Boston Public Schools, Chittick Elementary Community Schoolyard is now open. This new green space in Hyde Park brings shade, stormwater relief, and a safe place to play, while helping close a longstanding park access gap. Building on this success, we are expanding our schoolyard work into a citywide partnership with Boston Public Schools.
In Mattapan, the long-awaited Edgewater Riverfront Trail is officially under construction. Soon, residents will enjoy better access to the Neponset River with a trail, park, playground, and fitness equipment for all ages.
Developing Local Partnerships
TPL is working closely with Boston Housing Authority (BHA), residents, and community leaders as part of an innovative pilot program to create safe, outdoor spaces that meet the needs of vibrant, multi-generational communities in Boston.
TPL and the residents of Archdale Village are securing funding for Archdale Community Park in Roslindale—a much-needed community space after their playground burned down and was never rebuilt. Now, design of the park is underway, and construction will follow shortly.
We are also transforming MLK Towers Open Space in Roxbury from an unwelcoming, fenced-off, and paved outdoor area into a vibrant green space where residents —including older adults and people with disabilities— can gather with their families and friends.
Who knew that one meeting at Archdale has led to all this work?
I’m always thinking what more can I ask of TPL. It’s been an amazing path and process that we’ve been on and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
Dana Dilworth, Senior Program Manager, BHA
Amplifying our Impact
TPL advocates for expanded access to the outdoors across the Commonwealth. However, Massachusetts lacks a statewide funding source for conservation and outdoor access. We co-launched and lead the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition of 40+ environmental, conservation, and community groups working to make An Act Providing Nature for All a reality. Passage of this act would create a permanent fund to create parks and trails, protect land and water resources, and advance climate resilience and environmental justice goals without an increase in taxes.
Chittick Elementary Community Schoolyard . PHOTO BY JUSTIN BARTELS
Preserving New Hampshire’s Trails
In New Hampshire, TPL has conserved over 262,000 acres in 76 communities since 1987. That’s 13 percent of conserved land in the state. We are proud of TPL’s legacy of building trails, protecting waterways, and creating community forests—ensuring all New Hampshire residents have equitable access to nature.
Our History Along the Appalachian Trail
From Maine to Georgia, TPL is continuing to protect the corridor around the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). To date, TPL has conserved 340,000 acres along the A.T. In New Hampshire alone, TPL has protected over 75,000 acres within the A.T. priority area. By conserving sections of the trail itself as well as its surroundings, we are preserving the viewshed and overall trail experience.
In addition to safeguarding the experience along this beloved and heavily used recreation trail, conserving the area around the A.T. is critically important for protecting the environment. In response to a changing climate, plants and wildlife are being forced to move northward or higher in elevation in pursuit of suitable habitat. Protected land corridors along national trails provide significant connectivity to facilitate that movement.
Celebrating Where We’ve Been
This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of several cherished projects that demonstrate TPL’s impact across the state, including:
• Hardwood Ridge: a 1,736-acre addition to the White Mountain National Forest in Jefferson that provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling
• Trout Pond: a 2,604-acre property once at risk of development in Freedom that instead became the Freedom Town Forest, creating a 5,000-acre contiguous corridor of open space in the Ossipee Watershed
• 13 Mile Woods Community Forest: originally a 5,269-acre project in Errol—expanded to over 7,000 acres as the Errol Town Forest—now a self-sustaining community forest that generates income for the town while preserving cherished public recreation access and vital wildlife habitat
Looking to the Future
TPL is building upon our robust partnership with the National Park Service to enhance protection of the A.T. in Lyme, aiming to conserve wetlands and forests in the viewshed of the A.T. through the 74-acre Pressey Brook project. This conservation effort will preserve the viewshed and soundscape of 3 miles of the A.T. and conserve 0.4 miles of the trail that winds alongside the property. There is also a trailhead located on the property, used frequently by local residents to access this renowned hiking experience.
THANK YOU
for doing your part in ensuring communities across New England can connect with the outdoors. We could not accomplish this crucial work without supporters like you!
NEW ENGLAND ADVISORY BOARD
We are so grateful for our New England Advisory Board members, whose support and guidance keep us moving toward our goal of connecting everyone to the outdoors. And we are recruiting! Please contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities with TPL.
Laquisa Burke, Manager of Rental and Homeownership Services, Madison Park Development Corporation
Carolyn Mansfield duPont , Chief Operating Officer, Upstream Tech
Amanda Garvey, Vice President, Sustainability and Resilience Practice at Thornton Tomasetti
Lorie Graham, Law Professor and CoDirector, International Law Concentration, at Suffolk University Law School
Will Hewes, Global Lead for Water Sustainability, Amazon
Wendy Holding , Trustee, Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge
Helen Kellogg, Principal, Brook Road Advisors and TPL New England Advisory Board Chair
Ed LeFlore, Principal, CSL Consulting, LLC
Will Lintilhac, Trustee, Lintilhac Foundation and Board Chair, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Drew McConville, Senior Fellow for Conservation Policy, Center for American Progress
Victor Morrison, Principal, Morrison Management Consulting and Executive Coaching
Richard Oetheimer, Of Counsel, Goodwin Procter LLP
Roland Price, Vice President & Treasurer, Point32Health (Retired)
Micah Roberge, Senior Vice President & Financial Advisor, UBS
Ann Taylor, Physician, consultant, and Co-Chair, Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation, National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
Dano Weisbord, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tufts University
Help ensure everyone has access to the outdoors. Every park we create, schoolyard we transform, trail we extend, and landscape we protect is thanks to supporters like you. tpl.org/donate Ally McDougal
New England Director of Philanthropy 781.856.5564 ally.mcdougal@tpl.org Shelby Semmes Vice President, New England Region 917.658.2582
shelby.semmes@tpl.org
6 Beacon St, #615, Boston, MA 02108 30 Danforth St, #106, Portland, ME 04101 3 Shipman Pl, Montpelier, VT 05602