News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2008

CONTACT: Ryan Owens, (603) 357-0600

LAND PROTECTION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Forester from Jaffrey and Open Space Committee/Town of Swanzey Chosen

( KEENE)—Charlie Koch, a licensed forester from Jaffrey and a member of the Monadnock Conservancy’s advisory board, received the Abe Wolfe Land Protection Award, and the Open Space Committee/Town of Swanzey jointly received the Philip Faulkner Award at the Monadnock Conservancy’s 19 th Annual Meeting on August 23 rd in Chesterfield. Presented to deserving recipients on an occasional basis, the awards recognize significant contributions by individuals or groups to land conservation in the Monadnock Region.

Named for one of the founders of the Conservancy, the Abe Wolfe Land Protection Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that has shown outstanding leadership in land protection in the Monadnock Region. In presenting the award, Betsey Harris, retiring trustee, said that Charlie Koch is a talented and sensitive forester, always thinking to the future as he considers a project and helping landowners see the conservation values of their lands. One of his forest management plans has become the “gold standard” for plans developed for owners of conservation land. In his role on the Board of Advisors, Koch has frequently offered advice, coaching, and on-the-ground work to the Conservancy, often as a volunteer. He was also instrumental in effecting a regional land conservation project, which protected extensive shore frontage and wildlife habitat in a high-priority region of Jaffrey.

In accepting the award, the humble and soft-spoken Koch thanked conservation leader Philip Faulkner for helping him see conservation from a new perspective: “Many years ago, Phil and I were walking his woodlot shortly after he had donated a conservation easement on his land. I was grousing about feeling threatened by this conservation easement thing. It was invading my turf! Phil said not to worry. It didn’t help. Shortly after that walk, Phil asked me if I would like to become an advisor to the Conservancy. I gladly said ‘yes,’ and, after becoming involved with the Conservancy, I realized what I was complaining about. I’d been dealing with the economics and science of the land forever, but I had not paid much attention to the social aspect. Being around the Conservancy has shown me that all three elements are necessary. No more grousing for me! So thanks, Phil, for helping me, in your own quiet way, to pull myself out of the mud and see the bigger picture! My connection with the Conservancy has been good for my soul!”

The Swanzey Open Space Committee/Town of Swanzey received the Philip Faulkner Award, which was established to recognize an organization, group, or individual whose community service blends thoughtful land use planning and conservation with well-conceived community development and includes a high degree of collaboration among many stakeholders. In presenting the award, trustee Suzanne Whittemore said, “Since the adoption of the Plan for the Protection of Open Space, the Swanzey Open Space Committee has led town efforts in highlighting Swanzey's rural character and successfully protecting parcels in key conservation areas. Together with Swanzey's bovine ambassadors of open space protection, the oxen Buck and Ike, the Town of Swanzey has gained a greater sense of place, a collaborative connection with town constituents and with neighboring towns, and a mission to protect community character and environment."

Town planner Sara Carbonneau accepted the award on behalf of the Town of Swanzey and Open Space Committee (OSC). She acknowledged what a hard-working and dedicated group of people make up the OSC and how the partnership with the Conservancy has allowed the Town to leverage limited resources available for town conservation purposes, freeing the OSC to visit property owners and explain land conservation options. Buck and Ike were also on hand to receive special medallions recognizing their efforts as Swanzey’s biggest rural characters.

Special thanks also are due to the following organizations, merchants, and individuals for their contributions to the annual meeting: Chesterfield Conservation Commission; Town of Chesterfield; the Works Bakery and Café, Keene; Starbucks Coffee Company, Keene; Cheshire Gardens, Winchester; Alyson’s Orchard, Walpole; United Natural Foods, Chesterfield; Homestead Farm, Walpole; Perpetual Perennials, Sullivan; High Hopes Orchard, Westmoreland; Antioch New England Institute, Keene; William and Jonah Erikson, Keene; and the Pearl Street Quartet from the Keene Community Music Center. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Founded in 1989, the Monadnock Conservancy is a nonprofit, membership-supported land trust serving the 35 towns of the Monadnock Region. 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.” For more information call (603) 357-0600.