The property, with its old fields and  maturing  forest, is symbolic of the mosaic of Northern New England land uses. Its proximity to other conserved public lands within the greater Mount Mansfield and Worcester Range forest blocks heighten the value of its varied habitats and role in facilitating regional wildlife connectivity. Further, its proximity to town-roads and the village make this property accessible to residents of Waterbury. 

The property is located off the western side of Blush Hill Road in Waterbury, VT. The property includes 125 acres of productive forestland, open land, and forested wetlands with multiple perennial and intermittent streams. There are no existing dwellings or developed structures on the property. 

In its current condition, the property has ~108 acres of productive forest land and approximately 17 acres of open land. The open land is underlain by prime agricultural soils that are classified by the State of Vermont as farmland of statewide importance. The Property does not contain any mapped wetlands as identified in the Vermont Significant Wetland Inventory (VSWI). However, site-level assessment and mapping conducted for the property transfer suggest there is likely an ~2-acre Class III wetland in the far northwestern corner of the property. 

The Property includes and supports quality wildlife habitat and is also part of a larger network of conserved and public lands within the greater Mt. Mansfield and Worcester Range. The Mansfield-Worcester Forest Block, which includes all 125 acres of this property, has been identified as a global-level Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society. IBAs are globally important for bird conservation and are identified using a set of internationally agreed upon criteria. Approximately 109 acres of the property are located within one of Vermont’s highest priority connectivity blocks. Connectivity blocks represent an important network of forest blocks that provide terrestrial wildlife connectivity at a regional scale, supporting wide-ranging animals, genetic diversity, resiliency, and ecological functions. Approximately 106 acres of the property are also classified as a state-mapped deer wintering area. WLI stewardship will  prohibit activities that would impair wildlife habitat by preventing development and subdivision of the property.

The property contains several habitat types that support a range of native wildlife species. Mature hardwood and mixed forests offer resources for species like pileated woodpecker, hermit thrush, fisher, barred owls, and bats. The property has an array of hard and soft mast-producing trees such as American beech, northern red oak, black cherry, apple, and hawthorn. Those trees provide forage resources for many species, including American black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous other birds and small mammals.