VOLUNTEERS FROM EMS, SCA HELP FOREST SOCIETY CLEAR
MOUNT MONADNOCK TRAILS
Concord, N.H., July 28, 2008 — Mount Monadnock has the distinction of being one of the most-climbed mountains in the western hemisphere. Such intensive foot traffic means that regular trail maintenance is needed to ensure safe and sustainable recreational opportunities.
From July 19 through 23, volunteers and staff from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests were joined by others from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to rehabilitate the mountain’s well-traveled White Arrow Trail. Working through nearly a full week of rain, representatives of all three organizations installed water bars to mitigate the impacts of erosion and completed other trail maintenance and rehabilitation projects.
These efforts are part of the Monadnock Master Plan implemented in 2006 by the Forest Society in conjunction with the Monadnock Advisory Committee, NH State Parks, and the Town of Dublin, New Hampshire.
“This event generates awareness about the mountain’s history and stewardship needs,” said Forest Society Director of Land Management Geoffrey Jones. “In addition, Trails Week sets an example showing how many organizations that care about the New Hampshire landscape can come together for a shared purpose and make a difference.”
For the third year in a row, the Peterborough-based EMS generously supported this event with a grant of $5,000 and donated equipment that included work gloves, water bottles, sunscreen, and insect repellent. EMS also donated backpacks, sleeping bags, water bottles, fanny packs, and other outdoor gear to raffle to all who worked on the trails, and several volunteers. The value of that volunteer labor was at least equal to that of the other donations.
“Mount Monadnock is right in our front yard, we can see it from our offices in Peterborough,” said EMS Group Sales Manager Peter Moore. “EMS is committed to supporting outdoor recreational opportunities. We’re happy to take a lead role in the upkeep of this popular destination, and we are especially proud to participate ‘on-the-mountain’ with the Forest Society to protect and enhance this great southern New Hampshire landmark for our associates and customers to enjoy.”
In 1915 the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests conserved its first tract of 406 acres on Mount Monadnock, beginning a long-term effort to protect the natural integrity of the mountain and its surroundings. Since then, the Forest Society has acquired a total of 4,000 acres at Mount Monadnock and Gap Mountain in the towns of Dublin, Marlborough, Troy, and Jaffrey. The Forest Society leases much of its land to the State to be operated as Mount Monadnock State Park.
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (www.forestsociety.org) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. In order to preserve the quality of life New Hampshire residents know today, the goal of the Forest Society, in partnership with other conservation organizations, private landowners, and government, is to conserve an additional one million acres of the state’s most significant natural lands for trails, parks, farms and forests by 2026. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.
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