Forest Society Permanently Conserves 117 Acres in Grafton

GRAFTON, N.H. (March 18, 2020)— Seeking to inspire others, Bob Moran donated a conservation easement to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) to permanently protect 117 acres in Grafton.

“Land conservation is very important to me,” said Moran. “In donating this easement to the Forest Society, I hope other friends and landowners will consider doing this as well. As a community, we all benefit from saving the special places we all enjoy.”

And, in fact, Moran’s friend and neighbor, Ron Barbagallo, is also working to conserve his abutting 100 acres by donating a conservation easement to the Forest Society.

A conservation easement puts in place a perpetual commitment to keep the land undeveloped and available for forestry, agriculture, and recreation by the landowner, and for scenic enjoyment by the public.

Located on Height of Land Road in Grafton, the property contains important habitat for plant and animal species within the regional “Quabbin-to-Cardigan” (Q2C) conservation corridor. The Q2C initiative is a collaborative effort of 27 conservation organizations and governmental agencies to conserve the spine of mountainous landscape running a hundred miles from the Quabbin Reservoir northward to Mount Cardigan and the White Mountain National Forest.

The Moran easement puts in place one more piece of a puzzle in efforts by the Forest Society and its Q2C partners to build a continuous system of linked conservation lands protecting large blocks of land and allowing for the movement of plants and animals responding to a changing climate.

“Bob’s frequent sightings of deer, turkeys, foxes and even the occasional moose and bear from his living room window confirms the conservation importance of the land described by the Q2C Regional Conservation Plan and the NH Wildlife Action Plan,” states Tom Howe, senior director of land conservation at the Forest Society. “Bob also keeps his fields mowed annually, providing passersby with beautiful views into Vermont.”

The land’s fields, well managed forestland (certified Tree Farm), forested wetlands, and rocky ledges add to the property’s habitat diversity. In addition, nearly half a mile of undeveloped road frontage protects scenic values enjoyed by passersby. A key watershed boundary running along the property’s height of land protects the uppermost headwaters of the Connecticut River to the west and of the Merrimack River to the east.

Moran is not new to land conservation. He donated a conservation easement to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust many years ago on property he owns on Pleasant Bay in Maine.

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