Isle La Motte Preservation Trust

09/05/2026

It was a busy first day of the holiday weekend at the Isle La Motte Preserves. 🌻

Three cheers and big thanks to volunteers Dave and Jim for installing new visitor information signage at Fisk Quarry and Goodsell Ridge. Help us protect the preserves by leaving no trace and always remember to use caution while navigating trails which may have slippery surfaces and moderate crevices.

Thanks to the generous support of Kris Luce: Allstate Insurance and the The Allstate Foundation, Goodsell Ridge's Visitor Center now has a wheelchair ramp available for use upon request to improve access for visitors. The Isle La Motte Preservation Trust is so grateful to Allstate for providing the resources for us to make our community more inclusive for all.

Fall is creeping in through the Champlain Islands, we hope you will stop for a visit to see the seasons change. The Preserves are open daily from dawn until dusk, and the Visitor Center is open when the flag is out through mid-October. 🍁

08/23/2026

Thank you to all who collaborated to bring yesterday’s events together for our community!

07/23/2026

Isle La Motte residents and visitors - the Vermont Center for Ecostudies needs our help compiling data for the next edition of their Vermont Butterfly Atlas, and it turns out that the Goodsell Ridge Preserve is a fantastic butterfly site!

Vermont Center for Ecostudies, a wildlife monitoring non-profit from White River Junction is preparing the second edition of the Vermont Butterfly Atlas, and is working with community members to update a map of butterfly species across the state. They need our help documenting species in our area through an online platform/app called iNaturalist. The program helps you identify and learn about plants and animals, and contribute to scientific research. Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to professionals!

Please check our website at https://ilmpt.org/2026-season-news-updates/ to download the iNaturalist guide, as well as handouts for identification and tips for recording and uploading your findings. Information will be posted in the Goodsell Ridge Preserve Visitor Center in the coming days. Plan your next visit to include a butterfly blitz! 🦋

(Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors)

Photo courtesy of Vermont Center for Ecostudies.

06/07/2026

Summer is here and we look forward to welcoming new visitors and returning friends to Goodsell Ridge Preserve and Fisk Quarry Preserve! The trails at the two preserves are open daily year around, and the Visitor Center at Goodsell Ridge Preserve is open summer weekends, just look for the open flag and stop in for a visit with one of our volunteers.

Back on display this season at the Goodsell Ridge is the nearly mile-long "Walk Though Time" exhibit depicting the 4.6 billion year story of our Earth, from the formation of the solar system to the beginning of life on Earth and beyond. Be sure to include time to view this world-class exhibit on your next visit! 🌎

Cheers to our volunteers who are making this season possible and to all our visitors for including Isle La Motte in your summer plans.

(posted by the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors).

05/23/2026

Over the past four weeks the exceptional volunteers at the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust have prepared the welcome center and grounds for the season, onboarded new docents to meet visitors, and have repaired and installed the “Walk Through Time” exhibit at Goodsell Ridge Preserve. We are so thankful for our volunteers who have made another season possible, and invite everyone to enjoy the world-class exhibit once again on display in Isle La Motte!

Special thanks to Island Bargain Barn and Stewart's Shops for their donations making this year’s opening possible!

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.

05/21/2026

It's the last big workday before the season begins, so if you have a free Friday ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, then join the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust's volunteers as we install the "Walk Through Time" exhibit and finish welcome center preparations for opening. As added incentive, snacks for the massive undertaking ahead are being provided by to power everyone through one more day of work!

Work begins at 10:00am, rain or shine, at the Goodsell Ridge Preserve Visitor Center at 239 Quarry Road in Isle La Motte. Please join us! Email us at [email protected] or call 802.404.2298 with questions or for more information.

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.

05/06/2026

No plans or a few hours to spare this Friday? Then join the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust's volunteers for some quality time with Earth's history as we ready the "Walk Through Time" exhibit for installation! This retrospective is one of the few in physical existence, and it is being installed later this month at the Goodsell Ridge Preserve. On Friday we'll be cleaning and touching up the dozens of panels that make up this world-class exhibition.

We'll be getting to work beginning at 10:00am, rain or shine, at the Goodsell Ridge Preserve Visitor Center at 239 Quarry Road in Isle La Motte. Please join us! Email us at [email protected] or call 802.404.2298 with questions or for more information.

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.

04/30/2026

Thinking of becoming a volunteer docent this year? Watch below to learn about the important role our volunteers play during a visit to the Goodsell Ridge. Special thanks to William Alexander and Dave + Barb Sweet.

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.

3 likes. "The Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve at Isle La Motte, Vermont"

04/26/2026

Spring decluttering? The ILM Preservation Trust is seeking some gently used supplies and equipent for use at the Goodsell Ridge Preserve:

- Shop Vacuum
- Leaf Blower
- Broom Storage/Janitorial Cabinet

We are also in need of cleaning supplies, so if you have too many they can be put to good use as we ready the Welcome Center for visitors this year.

Please message or email [email protected] if you would be interested in donating, thank you!

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.

04/18/2026

Planning your school's spring Field Trips? The Isle La Motte Preservation Trust's preserves offer learning opportunities for individuals and groups of all ages and are a field trip destination for universities, high schools, and elementary schools.

Please contact us to schedule a guided tour by emailing [email protected].

Posted by the ILMPT Administrative Volunteer on behalf of Linda Fitch and the ILMPT Board of Directors.