There will soon be a new community forest in the Northeast Kingdom. The town of Canaan has taken ownership of 424 acres of land to create the Canaan Community Forest.
Town officials say the property will be used for a variety of economic, educational, recreational and conservation purposes.
The land was owned by the Tillotson family for generations. The town acquired the land with a conservation easement on 368 acres to ensure that the majority of the property will left undeveloped.
Officials say the land will be managed as a working forest and used to generate income through sustainable timber harvests.
The property will also be used to promote outdoor recreational tourism, protect the local water supply and provide an outdoor classroom for local schools.
The remaining 56 acres has no easement and is available for the town to use for other economic development.
The project’s been in the works for more than a year.
The Town of Canaan is holding a celebration for the Community Forest Thursday evening, at 6:30 at the Canaan Recreation Park.
The event is free and open to the public.