Groups beginning effort to conserve land on Vermont ridge

LYNDON, Vt. (AP) - Two groups are beginning an effort to conserve 269 acres of land in the Vermont town of Lyndon.

The Kingdom Trail Association and Vermont Land Trust say they’ve begun a campaign to conserve 269 acres (109 hectares) of land on Darling Ridge.

The non-profit trail association manages a network of more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of trails on private lands in northeastern Vermont.

“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to secure this special site on the Darling Hill Ridge for permanent public trail access and protection of some of the most beautiful land in the Kingdom,” said Trails Association Executive Director Abby Long.

The Caledonian Record reports more than seven miles (11.2 kilometers) of trails currently in the association’s network and 1 mile (1.61 kilometers) on a snowmobile trail traverse the property the two organizations are hoping to conserve.

So far the two groups have raised more than $450,000 toward the $671,305 cost to purchase and conserve the land.