June Pichel Cook Property

Every paddler who has canoed the Black River under the North Craftsbury Road bridge experiences the rich waterfowl habitat of June Cook’s property. Her 95-acre property is bisected by 2,600 feet of the Black River. In 2019 June conserved 14 acres of open pasture and hayfield and a managed 60-acre forest of mixed hard and soft woods, including sugar maple. She reserved the remainder in two potential homestead sites and scrub lands, although the homestead sites are currently undeveloped. 

The land is part of a wildlife connectivity corridor including Coburn Hill, Eden Mountain, and the Lowell Mountain range. It acts a link to the undeveloped, forested hillside on the west side of Craftsbury Common. The parcel provides food and cover for moose, deer, bear, coyotes, and fox. The owner’s intent is preservation of the open space—an integral element of the town’s landscape.

Paddlers on the Black River can see migratory ducks and geese during spring and fall when water levels are high. Evidence of beaver are common, and the habitat is suitable for wood turtles. A healthy shrub layer and steep banks prevent river access or egress at this location when seeking a gentle canoe or kayaking cruise along the Black River. Paddlers must use other town roads for river access.