The Long Property

South Burlington’s Land Development Regulations zoned the eastern portion (approximately 50% of the 39 total acres) of the Long property as a Natural Resource Protection area that should be left undisturbed. The middle portion of the property is shrubby second growth habitat which supports some declining species of birds (e.g., Field Sparrow and Eastern Towhee). 90% of this parcel is classified as an Open Space Priority Area in the 2020 Open Space Report.  Conserving this land will have environmental and economic benefits as detailed in the studies below. 

• The 2020 South Burlington Open Space study rated it among the highest 25 parcels of land (out of 189 land parcels) in South Burlington. Specifically, they rated it positive for riparian connectivity, wetlands (Class 2), source water protection, large habitat block, grasslands, large forest block, view shed, prime agriculture and farmland. 

• The 2020 Habitat Assessment and Ranking study, conducted by Arrowwood Environmental, ranked the Long property number 1 out of 26 other habitat blocks in the city. Arrowwood Environmental was retained by South Burlington to conduct an analysis of forest blocks to aid the city in prioritizing regulatory and conservation measures.

• The 2020 study by Earth Economics on the natural capital valuation of South Burlington’s open space parcels valued the ecosystem services of the Long property at $759,000 annually. Over 20 years the environmental services (see examples below) this land provides will save taxpayers $11,630,000. The city hired Earth Economics to conduct a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis that incorporates the non-market (environmental, recreational, and educational) economic value of natural capital assets. Earth Economics applied their methodology to assess the economic value of the Long property. This land provides the following ecosystem services: 

Clean air

Protecting Lake Champlain water quality

Flood risk reduction

Temperature regulation (cooling in the summer)

Greenhouse gas reduction through carbon sequestration

Outdoor recreation areas

Aesthetic beauty, emotional and spiritual health

Scientific research and education opportunities

Increased property values

• The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources rated the Long Property as Tier 1 Highest Priority for conservation.

• As part of the Great Swamp, the Long Property provides vital connectivity between other significant land parcels. Called the crown jewel of natural resource lands in South Burlington, the Great Swamp is centered on a large hardwood swamp east of Spear Street. It includes upland forests, shrubby old fields, and wetlands, and it functions as a wildlife corridor between Shelburne Pond to the south, and South Burlington’s Hubbard Recreation and Natural Area to the north. Its wetlands provide important habitats for wildlife species along with biodiversity of birds, amphibians, reptiles and native vegetative communities.   .The soils are rich in clay. Numerous studies over the years have highlighted this area urging that, without exception, these natural areas should be protected.

Recent History

Dr Littleton “Tiny” Long (UVM English Department) and his wife Carolyn Elley Long (music teacher and volunteer manager of the Vermont Youth Orchestra) purchased the properties at 1720 and 1730 Spear Street in the 1950s. They loved the land and grew heirloom apples, pears and grapes which they sold from their porch. Carolyn was one of the first members of the South Burlington Land Trust and was a great supporter of its work. The couple's children inherited the properties, worked for some time at plans for developing them, then put them on the market in the fall of 2022.

Current Status

The North East Agricultural Trust (NEAT) learned from  the SBLT that the land was for sale. NEAT, which is managed by Tom Bellavance, acquires agricultural and open lands, and holds on to them until the lands can be transferred to farmers or entities who will conserve the land. By acquiring the property, NEAT is giving the City and community time to plan for the conservation of this land without the pressure of development. Their motive was to give the City and the community one to two years to conserve the land. NEAT, not the SBLT, owns the land. However, NEAT asked the SBLT to help with conservation planning and engaging neighbors and other potential partners in this process. From initial conversations, several common themes have emerged.

Conserve Most Of The Land
The majority of the land should be conserved. It is critical that the roughly 30 acres in the eastern portion of the property, which includes a large wetland and beautiful ridge-line forest and abuts the Great Swamp, be protected.

Preserve The Trails
The existing walking/skiing trails should be preserved and maintained. A footpath across the Long land could connect the Hubbard Recreation and Natural Area with South Pointe and South Village.  

Build Farmer Housing
The potential to build some units of farmer housing should be explored. There are currently two houses on the property. One is beyond repair and will be taken down. Possibly a few small housing units for farmers could be built on a section of the property close to Spear Street.

The Future

The land is in safe hands for now, but it is not yet conserved. Conserving land is a process that takes considerable time and money. Ultimately, funding must be found to reimburse NEAT. The SBLT plans to hold informational sessions for the community in order to expand public awareness and encourage people to help, as more progress is made.

This website will be updated when there is new information to report. Meanwhile, questions or comments may be directed to SBLT Board Member, Rosanne Greco at (802) 497-0711.