Explore Some of the Forest Society's Conservation Easements
This spring through fall, the Forest Society's Easement Stewardship Department has planned an exciting series of tours for the public on some of our most scenic and significant conservation easement properties. The Forest Society has protected far more land through the use of conservation easements than it has through buying land or having it donated to us outright (also called fee acquisition) - nearly 130,000 acres across New Hampshire is protected under more than 700 conservation easements held by the Forest Society. But because these lands continue to be owned and managed by private landowners, they aren't celebrated as often as the Forest Reservations that the Forest Society owns. The easement lands are no less significant in conservation values, however, and often have ecological, scenic, recreational, or agricultural resources that are extraordinary.
"These Easement Excursions are a chance for the public, and especially community members in these towns, to get out and explore a piece of conservation land that they might not otherwise get to see," says Reagan Bissonnette, Director of Easement Stewardship. "They are also an opportunity for easement landowners to show others the results of their stewardship activities, and talk about why they protected their properties."
There are four Easement Excursions planned for 2017 so far (see details below with links to registration). Financial support for the Easement Excursion series is provided by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Friday May 26th, 8:30-10:30am- Heron Rookery Springtime Birding (Hopkinton, NH)
Join us for a morning’s exploration of a Great Blue Heron rookery on nearly 200 acres of conservation land in Hopkinton owned by Meadowsend Timberlands Ltd., a New Hampshire based forest management company. In addition to working forestland, the conservation easement encompasses a 15-acre wetland where the herons return to nest each spring. We expect to see a number of other bird species that enjoy this type of habitat too. We’ll learn about how the landowner works to protect natural features like rookeries while managing the forest, learn about herons, wetlands, and the Forest Society’s stewardship of this beautiful property. REGISTER HERE.
Saturday August 5th, 9am-12pm - Lee Town Forest Exploration (Lee, NH)
The Town Forest in Lee, NH boasts a bit of everything: woods, ponds, bogs and shrubland. Come along with Forest Society staff and members of the Lee Conservation Commission to see some of the unique habitat and wildlife features first-hand while we explore the great network of trails on this property. Bring plenty of water, snacks/lunch, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. REGISTER HERE.
Saturday August 26th, 9am-12pm - Farm Tour Along the Merrimack (Canterbury, NH)
Meet us for a tour of the innovative and scenic Brookford Farm located along the Merrimack River in Canterbury. Brookford Farm is a 580-acre farm that produces organic vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meat. We will learn about large-scale organic farming from the farm staff, and why they protected their land with a Forest Society conservation easement. We'll also check out ecologically important sand plain habitat along the Merrimack River. Bring lots of water, snacks/lunch, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. REGISTER HERE.
Saturday, September 30th, 9am-12pm - Late Summer Hike in the Lakes Region (Ashland, NH)
Looking for a short late summer hike in the Lakes Region? This is it! Join us on the Lakes Region Conservation Trust's Homestead Forest in Ashland for a quick but steep and scenic hike past historic homestead sites to lookouts with stunning vistas over Winona Lake. Bring lots of water, snacks/lunch, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. REGISTER HERE.