|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2006
CONTACT: Richard Ober
(603) 357-0600
LAND CONSERVATION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AWARDS HIGHLIGHT 17 th ANNUAL MEETING
( KEENE) — Project announcements, awards, and an address from a national land conservation leader highlighted the 17 th Annual Meeting of the Monadnock Conservancy on Saturday, August 26. Some 150 members of the non-profit land trust attended the event at Stonewall Farm in Keene.
Executive director Richard Ober reported that the Conservancy has protected a dozen parcels of land covering more than 1,000 acres in eight towns in the past year. He announced new agreements to conserve 950 contiguous acres in the California Brook area of Chesterfield and Swanzey by the end of 2006, and provided updates on the group’s work at Temple Mountain, Beech Hill, Crotched Mountain, and Silver Lake.
In the keynote address, Sylvia Bates of the national Land Trust Alliance reported on new tax incentives for land conservation. She also gave an overview of trends facing the 1,600 non-profit land trusts working throughout the United States.
Three special awards were presented at the meeting:
Francie Von Mertens of Peterborough received the Abe Wolfe Land Protection Award, which recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has shown outstanding leadership in land protection in the Monadnock Region.
The Chesterfield Conservation Commission was presented with the Philip Faulkner award, which recognizes an organization, group, or individual that achieves significant conservation of natural resources by engaging diverse stakeholders.
Bob Boynton of New Ipswich, who retired from the Board of Trustees after nine years, received the Founders’ Awards, which honors an individual who has contributed substantially to the success, stability, and capabilities of the Monadnock Conservancy.
Trustee Diane Schott announced that Michael Krinsky of Marlborough and Sheldon Pennoyer of Greenfield have been elected to the Board of Trustees, replacing retiring members Bob Boynton of New Ipswich and Rick Church of Nelson.
Also speaking at the Annual Meeting were board president Jack Calhoun of Harrisville, vice president Carol Thompson of Jaffrey, and founding board member Betsey Harris of Dublin.
Food and flowers were donated for the event by The Works Bakery Café of Keene, Alyson’s Orchard of Walpole, United Natural Foods of Chesterfield, Rosaly’s Farmstand of Peterborough, Monadnock Berries of Troy, and Boggy Meadow Farm of Walpole.
Following the event, more than 60 attendees attended field trips to the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve in Keene, California Brook Conservation Area in Chesterfield, and Page Mountain Meadow in Swanzey and Marlborough.
Founded in 1989, the Monadnock Conservancy is a non-profit land conservation organization that serves 35 towns in southwestern New Hampshire. Its mission is to identify, promote, and actively seek protection of significant natural, aesthetic, and historic resources in the Monadnock Region; and to monitor and enforce the protection of lands in the trust. More information about the Monadnock Conservancy is available at www.MonadnockConservancy.org or by calling 603-357-0600.
|
