Forest Society and Tamworth Residents Partner to Protect 130-acre Forest
In 2008, the daughters of the late Robert Freeto of Tamworth decided to honor their father’s care of his land along Tamworth’s Mill Brook by conserving much of it. This past autumn, they reached their goal when the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) took ownership of the 130-acre Gilman Forest, and the Town of Tamworth was granted a conservation easement that ensures the land’s protection in perpetuity.
With more than 2,000 feet along picturesque Mill Brook, the Gilman Forest is home to moose, bear, otter, mink, and other wildlife. The land is part of a larger area identified by the NH Fish and Game Department’s Wildlife Action Plan as having one of the highest priority habitats in the state. It lies in the middle of the area of wildlife connectivity between the Sandwich Range of the White Mountain National Forest and the Ossipee Mountains. Its trails are part of a network maintained by the Mill Brook Trail Association; the land’s conservation ensures that public access will continue.
The Gilman Forest conservation effort required the involvement of numerous organizations and contributors. The Forest Society led the legal and technical efforts, while the Tamworth Conservation Commission provided local support, fundraising, and some money from its conservation fund to cover half of the transaction costs.
“This was a fine cooperative effort between the Commission, the Forest Society, and local residents,” said John Mersfelder, Chair of the local fundraising effort. “We are most proud of the fact that we had nearly 150 local donors who saw the value in protecting this special woodland, even during the economic downturn. And when we were almost to our fundraising goal, The Tamworth Foundation graciously provided a grant to finish the project. Tamworth’s Selectmen were also supportive throughout the process, which was important for the Town to accept the conservation easement.”
Tom Howe, senior director of land conservation at the Forest Society, said that the Forest Society will manage the Gilman Forest like its other reservations, maintaining high-quality habitat while managing the forest resources with occasional sustainable timber harvests.
“Like our other forest reservations, the Gilman Forest will remain open to the public and managed for sustainable timber,” said Howe. “Our goal is to integrate sustainable forestry with stewardship for wildlife, while being good neighbors to the Town.”
More about Gilman Forest can be found at www.TamworthConservationCommission.org. The Tamworth Conservation Commission was formed in 1966 and maintains trails and easements all around Tamworth. It meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Tamworth Town Offices and welcomes input and assistance.
Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.