Yatsevitch Forest Reservation Expands to Over 1,200 acres
- Tags:
- Land Conservation,
- Stewardship
Blow-Me-Down-Brook flows adjacent to the Forest Society's recent addition at Yatsevitch Forest. (Photo: Leah Hart)
PLAINFIELD, N.H. —The Yeaton family has generously donated 164 acres of land in Plainfield that they have owned since 1968 to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society). The land donation will add to the beautiful 1,090-acre Michael M. and Claudia Yatsevitch Forest in Cornish and Plainfield.
“We have enjoyed owning this land for the past several decades and I am pleased to know the Forest Society will care for it going forward,” said Paul Yeaton. “Knowing that the land is protected gives me such satisfaction and peace of mind.”
The Yatsevitch Forest was established in 1995 with an 800-acre land donation by Michael M. and Claudia Yatsevitch. The Yeaton addition will be the fourth addition to the reservation, bringing it to over 1,200 acres in Forest Society ownership. The property is known for its rolling mixed northern hardwood forest, sweet soils, and extraordinary plant diversity. The additional land will protect frontage along Blow-me-down Brook as it meanders along Stage Road near the Hell Hollow village in Plainfield. The scenic brook is a tributary of the Connecticut River and is depicted in many works of art by Cornish Colony artists.
The Yatsevitch Forest is bordered by more than 700 acres protected by conservation easements, including the Franklin Conservation Easement (170 acres) held by the Forest Society, Ripley Place Conservation Easement (177 acres) held by the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Colby Conservation Easement (90 acres) held by the Town of Cornish, and the Dewey Conservation Easement (278 acres) held by the Upper Valley Land Trust.
“We are very grateful to the Yeaton family for their generous donation of land,” states Jack Savage, president of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “Conserving contiguous blocks of forestland is important, especially as a way to mitigate climate change, and now nearly 2,000 acres is permanently protected in this beautiful corner of the Upper Valley. We were delighted that more than 100 donors stepped forward to help us raise $55,000 to cover project expenses and ongoing stewardship costs. This project was a great success for all involved.”