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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Richard Ober
April 28, 2006 (603) 357-0600
MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY PROTECTS LAKE AND RIVER FRONTAGE, WETLANDS
Recent Projects Conserve 589 Acres in 9 Towns
( KEENE)—As communities recognize the importance of preserving the Monadnock Region’s precious water, the Monadnock Conservancy has recently completed several land conservation projects that focus on water resources.
“Nothing is more important to healthy ecosystems and healthy people than preserving our local water resources,” said Conservancy executive director Richard Ober. “And nothing is more effective in doing that than permanent land conservation agreements.”
Covering 589 acres in nine towns, the projects include extensive frontage on Otter Brook in Keene, the entire watershed of a large pond in Antrim, shoreline on Silver Lake in Harrisville and Nelson and Mud Pond in Dublin, and a large wetland complex between Pearly Pond and Pool Pond in Rindge.
These areas and several others were all protected through conservation easements conveyed to the Monadnock Conservancy. By giving or selling a conservation easement deed to the Conservancy, a landowner agrees to restrict future development while still retaining ownership of the land. Forestry, agriculture, trails, and related activities are usually still allowed. The Conservancy is responsible for watching over the land and enforcing the terms of the agreement forever.
In addition to helping protect water supplies, conserved lands also sustain wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and scenic views. The Conservancy currently oversees 99 conservation areas covering nearly 7,000 acres throughout the Monadnock Region. The organization protects hundreds of new acres every year.
Following is a summary of several of the recently completed projects:
Otter Brook, Keene, 42 acres
Eloise Clark and John Treat donated a conservation easement protecting 42 acres of land on Otter Brook in Keene. The rich floodplain habitat supports a wide variety of wildlife, including otters, moose, eagles, and wood turtles. It includes more than 3,000 feet of frontage on Otter Brook and abuts the former railroad corridor that is a popular walking trail.
Campbell Pond, Antrim, 312 acres
Campbell Pond’s entire shoreline will remain wooded and wild after the Town of Antrim conveyed a conservation easement on 312 acres of town-owned land. As the former and possible future water supply for Antrim, Campbell Pond and its watershed have long been one of the highest conservation priorities in town.
Mud Pond, Dublin, 16 acres
Continuing a 20-year town effort to protect the scenic beauty and rich wildlife habitat of Mud Pond, Gordon and Ingeborg Hayes donated a conservation easement on a 16-acre forested peninsula. According to ecologist Rick Van de Poll, Mud Pond is the most important wetland complex in Dublin, “with great potential for flood control, sediment trapping, nutrient attenuation, ground water recharge, recreational use, and biodiversity.” The land also frames a stunning view of Mount Monadnock that is frequently painted and photographed. The Town of Dublin assisted with this project.
Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, 64 acres
When Franklin Pierce College needed to build a new ballfield on campus, the only viable spot included about one acre of wetland. To mitigate the impact, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services required the college to set aside 10 acres of land. Encouraged by the Rindge Conservation Commission and the Monadnock Conservancy, the college agreed to protect six times that amount. The result is a conservation easement covering 64 acres of wetland, trails, and upland forest, including frontage on Pearly Pond.
Silver Lake , Harrisville and Nelson, 37 acres
In partnership with the Silver Lake Land Trust and the Harris Center for Conservation Education, the Monadnock Conservancy has completed several conservation easements on the western shore and forested uplands of Silver Lake. These easements are part of a shared goal of preserving the water quality, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty of one of southern New Hampshire’s most pristine cold-water lakes.
The Monadnock Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization based in Keene and serving the 35 towns of the Monadnock Region. The mission of the Monadnock Conservancy 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.”
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