The preserves are research and education sites protected in perpetuity by conservation easements co-held by the Lake Champlain Land Trust and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. 

A Visitor Center/Museum on the Goodsell Ridge Preserve tells the story of the ancient reef with exhibits and displays.  Discovery areas and trails offer outdoor experiences for visitors.

In 2009 the Chazy Fossil Reef as it occurs on Isle La Motte and on Valcour Island in Lake Champlain, was awarded the designation of National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in the US Department of the Interior.

The Isle La Motte Preservation Trust (ILMPT) founded in 1998, is based on Isle La Motte, Vermont, the northernmost island of Lake Champlain.

It was founded in 1998 by citizens who wanted to preserve the historic Fisk Quarry, site of an ancient 480 million year old fossil reef known to scientists as the Chazy Reef. 

Thanks to partnerships with the Preservation Trust of Vermont and with the Lake Champlain Land Trust,  ILMPT has now acquired over 100 acres of the fossil reef on Isle La Motte. 

This land is now protected in two preserves: the Fisk Quarry Preserve and the Goodsell Ridge Preserve.  For directions click on “Our Preserves”.

Aerial view of north end of Isle La Motte

      Next page

Welcome to the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust!

The Fisk Quarry Preserve

Welcome |   About ILMPT |  The Chazy Reef on Isle La Motte  The Chazy Reef & the Quarries  

The Chazy Reef:A Walk Through Time   Our Preserves | About Isle La Motte

| Cultural Heritage Programs | News