OWNERS OF HISTORIC EQUINOX FORM MAJOR CONSERVATION EFFORT TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT MT. EQUINOX
Manchester Village, VT Equinox Resort Associates, owners and operators of The Equinox, have ensured the permanent protection of nearly 900 acres of Equinox Mountain, a scenic backdrop to the village and important ecological resource for the State of Vermont. To protect and preserve this wilderness, the non-profit Equinox Preservation Trust was formed.
The 900 acres on Equinox Mountain were permanently conserved through a gift of conservation restrictions to the Vermont Land Trust, a statewide non-profit organization that works to protect the productive agricultural and timberlands , recreational and scenic spaces of Vermont; and the Nature Conservancy, a conservation organization that specializes in the protection of endangered species.
Through this Voluntary agreement, the Equinox Preservation Trustees guaranteed that this dominant natural feature of the greater Manchester area and critical element of Vermont's heritage remain forever free of development. It also serves as a focal point for the Trust's efforts to bring the public -- both the local community and resort guests -- in contact with the natural environment. Portions of the now-protected lands contain endangered plant species including some only found in Vermont.
According to S. Lee Bowden, vice president and general manager of the resort, this conservation effort was one of the main objectives of the restoration of The Equinox by its owners to give something meaningful to the Manchester community. "The Equinox Preservation Trust is really an extension of Equinox Resort Associates' commitment to preserving local history for the enjoyment of resort guests as well as local residents," said Bowden.
Creation of the Equinox Preservation Trust and the conservation agreement for Equinox Mountain does not limit community access to the land. Residents and resort guests can use the protected area for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and picnics, and cross-country skiing is allowed. The pond and Pavilion are also available for fly-fishing and private parties, through arrangements with the hotel.
A key part of the Trust's mission is to provide environmental and educational opportunities for all members of the community as well as resort guests. Towards that end, VINS operates a year-round office at The Equinox offering its nature and wildlife programs to guests and the local community . Programs feature real wildlife from the area as well as nature walks to discover native plants, trees and animals. Other Equinox-sponsored conservation activities include an ongoing voluntary donation program among resort guests to benefit the Equinox Preservation Trust.
'The Equinox Preservation Trust was created to provide opportunities for the public to come in contact with and gain an increased awareness of our natural environment, " explained Julie Sperling, director of the Trust. "Our joint objective is to reestablish, over time, an example of the old growth forest, where people can see what Vermont's forests were like before the state was cleared," she continued.
The 183-room Equinox and Charles Orvis Inn are members of Historic Hotels of America and Small Luxury Hotels and are repeat recipients of the AAA Four Diamond award. The resort's many amenities include the nation's first British School of Falconry; the Land Rover Driving School, scheduled to open in April; the 18-hole championship-quality Gleneagles Golf Course; The Fitness Spa; fly-fishing on The Equinox Pond; The Cross-Country Ski Touring Center; ice skating; hiking snowshoeing; biking; tennis; horseback riding; four restaurants; and The Equinox Village Shops. Alpine skiing at Bromley or Stratton Mountains, the Orvis Shooting School, Tinmouth Hunting Preserve, canoeing on the Battenkill, Manchester's designer outlet shops, and numerous museums and antique galleries are all located nearby
For more information and reservations, contact The Equinox at (802) 362-4700 or (800) 362-4747.
HISTORIC ROUTE 7A, MANCHESTER VILLAGE, VERMONT 05254 * (802) 362-4700 * TOLL FREE: (800) 362-4747 * FAX: (802) 362-1595
courtesy of The Equinox
