FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Contact: Brian Hotz or Jim Graham, 603-224-9945

January 13, 2005

NEW EASEMENT PROTECTS 170 ACRES IN THE UPPER VALLEY
Yatsevitch Forest addition wraps up campaign to protect 1,500 acres

PLAINFIELD – A new 170-acre conservation easement now protects some of the Upper Valley’s most historic farmland, critical wildlife habitat and important recreation opportunities, and provides the final piece in efforts to protect additional land abutting the Forest Society’s Yatsevitch Forest.

Paul and Nancy Franklin, of Plainfield, recently donated the easement to the Forest Society on land that has been in their family for generations. The land is close to 215 acres purchased by the Forest Society last spring, which abuts the 920-acre Michael M. and Claudia Yatsevitch Forest, protected by the Forest Society in 1995.

“This is a project that we identified several years ago as potentially one of our premiere properties,” said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. “So the donation of this easement marks the culmination of a far-reaching conservation vision, thanks to the generosity of the Franklin family and dozens of supporters throughout the region.”

The Franklins agreed to donate the easement as part of the Forest Society’s campaign to purchase the 215 acres of forestland to be added to the Yatsevitch Forest campaign.

The Franklin easement, located entirely in Plainfield, lies on the north side of the Yatsevitch Forest and extends down to Blow-Me-Down Brook and Stage Road. The land was home to Plainfield’s last operating “poor farm,” and still contains many of the old foundations associated with the town-run farm for paupers.

The land is reachable via a Class VI road and, like the Yatsevitch Forest, it is comprised primarily of northern hardwoods, including sugar maple, ash, birch and other species. It also includes about 10 acres of reclaimed fields, which provide spectacular views to the north.

The Franklins, who will continue to own the land, have agreed to guarantee public access, and will allow continued use of a snowmobile trail. The land will also remain open for walking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, hunting and wildlife viewing.

“The property is really a great community resource,” said Paul Franklin. “We run into people all over the property who are out enjoying it, and we’re glad to see people using it responsibly.”

Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is a 10,000-member, nonprofit organization that has helped protect more than one million acres. Visit www.forestsociety.org for more information, or call (603) 224-9945.