stewardMRV Profile
Volunteer, Holly Zanes, takes care of the Mad River Path’s West Greenway section with its trailhead at the intersection of Meadow Road and Route 100. She runs or walks the path several days a week while keeping an eye on this much-used section of the Mad River Path.
What town do you reside in?
I reside in Moretown, as well as in Burlington.
What brought you to the Valley and how long have you been here?
I had been skiing for years at Mad River Glen and loved hiking in the Valley. I met my husband, Eric, at MRG and we were married in 2017. At that time, we continued to live apart as we still had children at home. In 2019, Eric and I combined our empty nests into one larger nest in Moretown when our youngest child went off to college.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in the White Mountains, in Lancaster, New Hampshire which is on the Connecticut River. I raised my own family in Burlington, appreciating the lake and the Adirondack views every day … there’s a definite pattern here with water and mountains!
What do you love most about the valley?
Every day can include recess! When the world seems very chaotic, that privilege really comes into focus. During the pandemic, Eric and I had children move back to Vermont for periods of time and the Valley became very special: plenty of room for everyone to enjoy nature and within minutes we can ski, hike, run, cycle, etc.
Why did you join stewardMRV?
I have logged countless miles running on this little path, the West Greenway, sorting through my mind and readying myself for my day ahead. Being a steward lets me give back immediately to this path I’ve grown to love, and I can help by tidying up the parking lot or removing branches and stick debris off the trail or tossing away the odd dog poop bags … an easy way to say “thanks.”
What do you find most personally rewarding about being a steward?
I see firsthand what this resource means to others – our community, our visitors – who run, walk, swim or fish along this peaceful path. That feels really rewarding.
What is your favorite find being a steward?
I discovered a Batman mask, adult-sized and very well used, dangling from some knotweed. I was beside myself imagining the story behind that discovery.
What do you hope to see improve in the valley?
It would be a dream to have our little path sections unite into one contiguous recreational path: a nature path to get you from one end of the Valley to another without using Route 100.
