In the Words of a Land Steward

Fall 2025 Newsletter Land Steward Profile

In 2025, South Hero Land Trust, with funding from the Vermont Community Foundation, launched the Volunteer Land Stewards program to engage people in taking care of our important local natural areas, gardens, and trails. These dedicated volunteers play a key role in our work. Read on to hear from Land Steward Max Bumbeck on what inspires him:

“My first experiences with SHLT were in elementary school at Folsom. They’d take us outside of the classroom to learn about our surrounding natural landscape and its inhabitants. In middle school, we would do volunteer work for the land trust. I remember spending an entire day out at Round Pond building and placing walking bridges over the muddy sections of trail. I think about these experiences with so much joy. It has without a doubt influenced me for the better, and I am currently working towards a degree in Ecology at CCV before heading to UVM.

As a kid, Round Pond was one of the first places in my life where I learned the names of the trees. Last spring, I was walking at Round Pond nearly every day to get me through finals. While I was there, I couldn’t help but see a prevalent issue with invasive species. Honeysuckle, Buckthorn, Emerald Ash Borer, and others were staring me down on my walks. I figured there was some way that I could help.

Max at a volunteer work party, smiling at the camera with both thumbs up
Max and two other volunteers, clearing the Roy Marsh trail with clippers and shears

As a volunteer, I joined work parties to remove invasive plants and manage drainage on trails. My main project though was clearing the corridor of the Roy Marsh trail. It was pretty fun!

Working the land for the better of people and plants was incredibly fulfilling. Climate change and ecosystem collapse are utterly terrifying, and often so overwhelming. Doing this work gives me hope, especially when working with other people. The impact that only a handful of people can have on our landscape is incredible.

If you enjoy any part of South Hero’s natural landscape, I highly recommend you spend some time with South Hero Land Trust and engage in the landscape that supports our farms, beaches, and people. Anything at all goes so far.”

Interested in volunteering with South Hero Land Trust? Check out our Volunteer Page, or the Land Steward Page!

Jenna O'Donnell