The Vermont Land Trust and Kingdom Trail Association announce Campaign to conserve land on Darling Ridge

October 7, 2020

Help conserve 269 acres for public access.


Today, the Kingdom Trail Association and Vermont Land Trust announce a campaign to conserve 269 acres of land on Darling Ridge. “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 Abby Long, KTA Executive Director. “We are now reaching out to all who enjoy Kingdom Trails and want to help us preserve this landscape for future generations.”

In September 2019, a key parcel in the heart of the trail system on Darling Hill Road in Lyndon, went on the market. The land, formerly owned by AOQ, LLC was at imminent risk of being purchased for subdivision and residential development that would have diminished the rural character of the ridge and placed the future of public access to the land at risk. Seeing this threat, the Kingdom Trail Association acted quickly to secure bridge financing to purchase the property and allow time to secure the funds needed for long-term ownership and conservation of the land. At the same time, KTA entered into a contract to purchase an adjoining 40 acre parcel and created a plan to work with the Vermont Land Trust to permanently protect the two properties from future development and ensure public access to the land in perpetuity.


Over seven miles of trails in the KT network and a one-mile segment of a VAST trail, traverse this property, extending through farm fields, descending down to the East Branch of the Passumpsic River. The property’s trails lead to "Heaven's Bench,” a grassy knoll and iconic destination offering panoramic views across the Northeast Kingdom. With streams, wetlands and forests, the land provides wildlife habitat and contributes to clean air and water, while contributing to the unique, rural character of Darling Hill Ridge. 


With a total funding need of $671,305 for the purchase and conservation of the two properties, Kingdom Trails is pleased to have secured a $150,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The project has already received $291,433 in pledges and donations, including $3,813 donated by Lawson’s Finest Liquids with its release of Kingdom Trails IPA. A second release of this limited edition beer was released last week. Now, KTA in concert with the Vermont Land Trust, is teaming up to raise the remaining $229,872 needed to complete the project.


“We never imagined that we would be launching a fundraising campaign during a global pandemic and recognize the uncertainty and financial hardship communities across the NEK, Vermont and beyond continue to face,” said Tabitha Bowling, Treasurer of the Board of Directors and member of the Campaign Committee. “We also see that public access to the outdoors and recreation are needed more now, than ever. The Kingdom Trails truly provide refuge: a way for people to disconnect from Zoom screens or frontline jobs, safely get outside, get “lost” on a ride or run, and take care of mind, body and spirit. It is hard to put a value on that and we will be grateful for any measure of support—large, small or symbolic—for this campaign.”


For more information, or to make a donation to help the Kingdom Trail Association and Vermont Land Trust ensure that these 269 acres on Darling Hill in Lyndon, Vermont remain undeveloped and open to the public, visit vlt.org/darlingridge.


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Leadership Transition Announced at Kingdom Trails and the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative

By Sven Cole • July 25, 2025
Dear KT Community, I write to you today as I begin a transition in my relationship with Kingdom Trails. I have made the difficult decision to take the next step in my professional journey and step away from my role as Executive Director. Serving Kingdom Trails and this incredible community over the past eight years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply proud of the work I’ve led and supported, from navigating immense global challenges and natural disasters, to forging incredible relationships, with our landowners and community. And throughout this journey, the Northeast Kingdom has become not just where I live, but truly my home. It’s the place I chose to become a mother and where my family has put down roots. That said, I am ready to explore new ways to serve this community, ways that will allow me to continue growing as a leader. I’ve accepted the role of Interim Executive Director for the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, where I will carry forward the work I fell in love with through Kingdom Trails: strengthening our communities and supporting thoughtful economic development. In this new role, I’ll have the opportunity to advocate not only for outdoor recreation, which is so essential to the heart of our region, but also for the many sectors that make the Northeast Kingdom such a unique and vibrant place. Please know I remain deeply committed to Kingdom Trails. This is my home, and it will remain my home. I wish to always be an ambassador for KT, including playing a role in ensuring a graceful, responsible transition with care. The Board of Directors and I have committed to this, to ensure continuity, stability, and the trust you hold in this organization. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to have served my community through this role, and I look forward to closing this chapter with the same heart and good intention with which I began it. Georgia Gould is stepping in as interim Executive Director to lead the organization through this transition. Georgia has served on the KT Board of Directors since 2021, leading both the Landowner and Trail Advisory Committees. She is a KT Landowner with an impressive mountain biking and cyclocross resume - including a bronze medal in one of her two Olympic bids on Team USA and five career national championships in cross-country and short track mountain biking. Georgia, her husband Dusty, and their two young children are engaged members of the Burke community and the KT team. Her deep ties to the sport of cycling, dedication to providing great trails for all skill levels, and her love of this community make her the perfect choice to lead KT in its next phase. The Board and I are thrilled that Georgia has agreed to lead KT and feel confident that she will hold the mission of the organization at the center as she has throughout her Board service. You can reach Georgia directly and welcome her to this new role at ED@kingdomtrails.org . With deep gratitude, Abby ### Kingdom Trail Association The mission of the Kingdom Trail Association is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails to foster the health of our community, surrounding environment, and regional economy. Kingdom Trails strives to accomplish this mission by offering a 100+ mile network of quality, non-motorized, multi-use trails for all levels of ability, incorporating the best of our local scenery and natural diversity. The Kingdom Trails are made possible through the generosity of 106 private landowners. Northeast Kingdom Collaborativ e The mission of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development as the vision is a strong, vibrant Northeast Kingdom where we all thrive. The NEKC brings people together to spark positive change in our communities, creating structures that bring partners together across service areas, sectors, municipal and political boundaries to provide solutions for the renewal of the Kingdom. The NEK Collaborative serves as the backbone organization for the federally designated NEK REAP Zone and community partner for USDA Rural Development.

Cannondale Becomes KT's First Corporate Sponsor

By Sven Cole • June 17, 2025
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Vermont State Treasurer, Mike Pieciak, speaks at the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse

KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse!

By Abby Long • February 13, 2025
KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse! This 2025 Legislative Session, KT is teaming up with other amazing trail organizations through the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, to advocate for H.147 a bill to establish the Recreational Trails Compensation Study. Why does this matter? Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $2.1B annually, nearly 5% of the state’s GDP, that's 2nd in the nation after Hawaii (Go VT!) KT alone drives $10M in economic impact annually. Therefore, the state must recognize and incentivize these generous private landowners, including the 106 who make KT possible and allow public access to trails.
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