Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes new protections for Vermont's biodiversity.

Highlights:

• Establishes State goals of conserving 30% of the land of the State by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that the state’s goals are to do the following (Sec. 2) 

• To maintain an ecologically functional landscape that sustains biodiversity; 

• Maintains landscape connectivity;

• Promotes climate resilience; 

• Supports working farms and forests;

• Provides opportunities for recreation and appreciation of the natural world; and

• Supports the historic settlement pattern of compact villages surrounded by rural lands and natural areas.

• Establishes that reaching the goal of 30% land conservation will be done through designating certain areas of the state as ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the state to create an inventory of all conservation areas in Vermont with help from the housing and conservation board, the house committee on energy, and the senate committee on natural resources (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes that prior to 2026 the secretary shall establish a conservation plan with the goal of conserving 50% of vermont’s land by 2050 (Sec. 3). 

• Appropriates $75,000 for education and outreach regarding conservation (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes new protections for Vermont's biodiversity.

Highlights:

• Establishes State goals of conserving 30% of the land of the State by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that the state’s goals are to do the following (Sec. 2) 

• To maintain an ecologically functional landscape that sustains biodiversity; 

• Maintains landscape connectivity;

• Promotes climate resilience; 

• Supports working farms and forests;

• Provides opportunities for recreation and appreciation of the natural world; and

• Supports the historic settlement pattern of compact villages surrounded by rural lands and natural areas.

• Establishes that reaching the goal of 30% land conservation will be done through designating certain areas of the state as ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the state to create an inventory of all conservation areas in Vermont with help from the housing and conservation board, the house committee on energy, and the senate committee on natural resources (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes that prior to 2026 the secretary shall establish a conservation plan with the goal of conserving 50% of vermont’s land by 2050 (Sec. 3). 

• Appropriates $75,000 for education and outreach regarding conservation (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text