Natural Capital, Richmond, Vermont

Garry Paul Green and Anna Haines define natural capital as “a type of community asset that can be employed to produce more assets . . . environmental capital refers to the stock of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources available in a locality or region.” (Green, 2016) Richmond, Vermont is a small town, located along the Winooski River, just a twenty-five minute drive on I-89 south from  Burlington, Vermont. The local community prides itself on becoming stewards of the land, “ensuring the beauty and health” of the “landscapes, waterways, open spaces, wildlife and agricultural resources” to keep their integrity for many generations to come (Richmond Vermont Future, 2016).

Richmond offers a vibrant area for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the natural surroundings. The town park provides access to a playground, soccer and baseball fields, hiking trails, easy access to the Winooski River for recreational activities including fishing, kayaking, tubing, etc. This time of year also provides an excellent balance of beautiful weather, enabling people of all ages to experience the seasonal transition from summer into autumn. The leaves in the area are beginning to change their color as the trees go dormant for the winter. Within a five-mile radius of the Richmond town center, people will find access to some of the most stunning ecosystems. Within these systems, Cochran’s ski area can be found, along with other natural and agricultural amenities including, but not limited to, hiking trails (maintained by the Green Mountain Club), small farms, and Vermont’s second tallest mountain, Camels Hump.

richmondfarm richmondowntown

richmondpark

 

 

Words Cited:

Green, G. P. (2016). Asset Building Community Development (Fourth ed.). Thousan Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publication, Inc.

Richmond Vermont Future. (2016). Our Vision. Retrieved September 24, 2016, from Richmon: Our Town, Our Future: http://richmondvtfuture.weebly.com/community-vision.html

 

 

 

Comments are closed.