Rusty DeWees to host Landscape Auction

Rusty DeWees to host Landscape Auction

June 29, 2010

The White River Partnership today announced that the first-ever Landscape Auction to be held in the United States will feature celebrity auctioneer, Rusty DeWees.

The auction will take place on Saturday, August 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, VT just off exit 4 on I-89. The auction marks the first time in U.S. history that private funding will be utilized to conserve and protect the landscape via a live auction event.

“Businesses, organizations and even individuals can communicate their commitment to the environment and the community in a tangible way thru this auction,” said Daan Wensing of Triple E (the Dutch firm working with the WRP on the auction).

Over the past few months the WRP (a non-profit dedicated to making the White River watershed a healthier place to live, work and play) has been working with landowners in the towns of Bethel, Braintree, Rochester, Royalton and Tunbridge to select “landscape elements” that are in need of conservation. Examples include a covered bridge, songbird habitat, a river access area and various farm-related items.

Minimum bids at the live auction will range from $350 up to $18,000 (smaller ticket items also will be available before the live auction). The successful bidder will, in essence, “adopt” the element but does not become the legal owner. The money raised at the auction will be used to conserve, protect and/or improve the watershed (for example, improving wildlife habitat).

Various local businesses – including Hurricane Flats Farm in South Royalton, Wilderness Trails in Quechee, Oldies 104.3 FM in West Lebanon and Hanover Outdoors in Hanover – have already expressed their support for the WRP event. “We get a lot of requests for donations and financial support as a retail business,” said Tom Ciardelli, owner of Hanover Outdoors. “But not many of them are as intriguing or worthwhile as the Partnership’s new auction idea.”

The WRP is casting a wide net to gain support from businesses, organizations and individuals in order to help the participating landowners, who have proven their commitment to maintaining a healthy and viable environment for all of us to enjoy.

A complete list of items that will be up for auction on August 14 will be available in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact us.