Five Rivers Conservation Trust Fall 2017 Newsletter

Five Rivers Conservation TrustLocal Land Trust for the Greater Capital Region of New Hampshire Fall 2017 NewsletterThe Belknap Range on a clear day at Frisky Hill. Photo by Anne Onion.Frisky Hill Addition: Expanded ViewWhat a view! 15-ac. property, conserved in 2013. The Do take a drive up to Frisky Hill someMany people stop by the side of the road Gilmanton Land Trust holds easements sunny day this fall. You’ll want toin awe of the Belknap Mountain Range that protect the view. Five Rivers’ admire this view! view, visible from the top of Frisky Hill responsibility now and in the future ison Route 107 in Gilmanton. Now Five to ensure that these properties remain Frisky Hill FactsRivers holds a conservation easement undeveloped. We’ll monitor the prop-on all of the fields that provide the erty annually and stay in touch with the 11 acres in Gilmanton, conservedspectacular view. new landowner, the Gilmanton Conser- in September 2017In September, the Gilmanton Land vation Commission, to make sure future Conservation Easement DonatedTrust (GLT) purchased the final uses meet best management practices. by Gilmanton Land Trust11-acre property that protects the view. Sincere thanks to the Gilmanton Land Conservation Values:GLT donated a conservation easement Trust who negotiated the purchase ofto Five Rivers Conservation Trust and the land and raised the funds to make • Outstanding view of thetransferred the land to the Gilmanton this project a reality. Five Rivers is also Belknap RangeConservation Commission. grateful to the Twigg family for theirFive Rivers holds the conservation commitment to conserving this prop- • Prime agricultural soilseasements that prohibit subdivision and erty in addition to four others that the • Abuts existing Five Riversdevelopment of this and the adjacent family conserved in 2013. easementBoard Chair’s MessageBy Richard Head integrity, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting The mission of Five Rivers Conser- stewardship of conserved lands. vation Trust is critical – to preserve Given our success, with over 4,400 acres of local farms, recre- and protect important open space ation lands, wildlife habitat, productive forests and important in the greater capital region of New water resources conserved, Five Rivers needs to increase its Hampshire for present and future capacity to sustain the growth it has experienced over the last generations. The fact we are now 29 years. In accordance with our 2017-2021 Strategic Plan performing this mission as an accred- (see 5rct.org > News & Publications), we will be working to ited land trust through the Land expand the protection and care of critical local lands; increase Trust Alliance is simply a national community connections; increase our capacity for growth and recognition of what has always been Board Chair’s Message, cont. page 4true – Five Rivers meets the highest standards of financial

Newly Conserved Hilltop Has New LandownersBy Sarah CrowLast year, as they pulled up to the top of Cogswell Hill in than a steward of the land, waiting for the next person whoCanterbury, Chris and Jim Devine knew right away that this would come along and work the land. The fields at the top ofwas the place for them. “Coming up that long dirt road, and the hill are good, fertile soil. It really cries out to be a farm.seeing that field and the view – wow,” But I wasn’t a farmer and felt that IChris says. In front of them, a field was keeping it for the next person whosloped away downhill, and another Moffett/Devine Facts might work the land.” Last year, whenfield lay beyond, mostly hidden behind 56 acres in Canterbury Howard and his wife, Lois Scribner,a row of trees, with views of Oak Hill decided to sell the property, theyand the Uncanoonuc Mountains in Conservation Easement Donated by aimed to preserve the place as a farm.the distance. The house, an 1840 Cape, Howard Moffett in June, 2017 “I wanted to see if I could find a buyerhardly mattered. “We wanted open Conservation Values: who wouldn’t mind a conservationfields for an apple orchard, a Christmas • 15 acres of important agricultural easement.” Howard began workingtree farm, and our cows.” soils with Five Rivers’ Rob Knight, BethThirty-two years earlier, Howard • Valuable wildlife habitat ranked McGuinn, and Ken Stern, and workedMoffett had almost the same response: among the most valuable habitat in out a conservation-easement agree-On a winter day, two feet of snow on the region ment.the ground, “we came up this dirt road • 1600 feet of stream frontage Although Chris and Jim Devine werein Canterbury, out of the woods to the • Local snowmobile spur trail interested in the Cogswell Hill propertytop of the hill, and my heart stopped, from the moment they saw it, theyI was completely taken with the view,” worried about the conservation ease-he says, remembering. “I could see for thirty miles down the ment’s details. The easement allows for a snowmobile trail thatMerrimack Valley. It was a bright crystal day, sunshine, blue runs along the edge of the property, and the Devines worriedsky, snow.” about noise and intruders. “But when we met Rob Knight, he had great insights,” Chris says. They walked the propertyHoward bought the property, restoring the house and living with Rob and Howard, and learned that the trail – a hilly trailthere for the next thirty years. “I never saw myself as more through woods and over streams – was far downhill, away from the house and fields, connecting back to Rt. 132. Five Rivers is a member-supported nonprofit land trust with a “A conserved property is attractive to some people who don’t mission to preserve and protect important open space lands for intend to subdivide the property and know that an easement present and future generations. We work in seventeen towns at often lowers the purchase price. Other folks, like the Devines, fall in love with a conserved property and decide to give it a the confluence of five New Hampshire rivers. try,” said Beth McGuinn, Five Rivers’ Executive Director.Five River’s Service Area: Belmont, Boscawen, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, “I wish I’d done it twenty years ago,” Howard says. HowardConcord, Dunbarton, Gilmanton, Henniker, Hillsboro, Hopkinton, Loudon, and the Devines agree that they all got what they hoped for – fields and a private setting for the Devines to grow heirloom Northfield, Pembroke, Salisbury, Warner and Webster. cider apples and Christmas trees, and the promise that the The Five Rivers are the Blackwater, Contoocook, Merrimack, farm that will never be subdivided.  Soucook and Warner Rivers. Sarah Crow is a professional writer and a long time Five Rivers member who lives in Canterbury. Richard Head, Hillsborough, Chair Michael Lehman, Concord, Vice Chair Michael Shearin, Dunbarton, Treasurer Bob Cotton, Concord, Secretary Tim Britain, Hopkinton, Immediate Past Chair Maura Adams, Penacook Carolyn Koegler Miller, Hopkinton Kathy Barnes, Hopkinton Michele Roberge, ConcordSteve Blackmer, Canterbury Wayne Stadelmann, Dunbarton Allen Brooks, Hopkinton Amanda Stone, Gilmanton Sarah Thorne, Gilmanton Richard Cook, Warner Staff Beth McGuinn, Executive DirectorAndrea Galliher, Membership and Office Assistant Five Rivers Conservation Trust Productive fields on the Moffett/Devine property. Photo by Beth McGuinn. 6 Dixon Ave, #201, Concord, NH 03301(603) 225-7225 | www.5rct.org | [email protected] | Fall 2017 Newsletter | Five Rivers Conservation Trust

Executive Director’s MessageBy Beth McGuinn, Executive DirectorPhoto by Kathy Healy. compliment of wildlife. A trip down the Contoocook River This summer after a 9.5-mile provides a new perspective on the area where we live. Five journey down the Contoocook Rivers conserves land for future generations, and this boy’s River, I overheard a young boy enthusiasm reminded me that today’s youngest generation is say, “Mom, this was the best already reaping the benefits of our efforts. day ever!” I wondered what For the benefit of those future generations, we have commit- triggered his excitement. He ted to being more strategic about the land we conserve – iden- had probably never paddled tifying areas that are most threatened and have the highest that far in a kayak. Maybe they values for conservation. We also plan to increase the pace of saw an osprey or painted turtle conservation. As with all of our accomplishments, our success along the way. Perhaps he just going forward will be possible because of your support. Thank had a great day with his mom. you for helping to conserve land for all to enjoy – I look In any event, it is likely that the forward to working with you to enable future generations to experience conserved natural areas, local wildlife, and specialconserved land along the river, where farmland and forest- outdoor adventures. land dominate, made a difference in his experience. The rivercorridor is peaceful and relatively undeveloped, with a richMeet Our New Board MembersIn June, we welcomed four new Trustees. Each one has a previous association with Five Rivers, giving them insight as ease-ment donors, project supporters, trail users and founders. We welcome their insight and look forward to their guidance!Stephen Blackmer, Canterbury Maura Adams, Penacook Steve is a founder of Concord Maura is a program director at the Conservation Trust (Five Rivers’ Northern Forest Center, working in predecessor) and the first chair of Northern New England and New our Board of Directors. With his York. She has a master’s degree in family and 5RCT, he conserved his Environmental Management from late mother’s land in Canterbury. the Yale School of Forestry and He recently led 5RCT board through Environmental Studies. You can our Strategic Planning process. often find Maura, her husband, and Steve is an ordained Episcopal priest their dog running or riding the local and leads the Church of the Woods. trail networks!Sarah Thorne, Gilmanton Wayne Stadelmann, Dunbarton Sarah teaches Biology, Field Ecology, Wayne is a plastic surgeon who lives and Climate Science at Prospect on his gentleman’s farm. He devel- Mountain High School in Alton. oped his love of the outdoors by She worked for 20 years as a land exploring rural Wisconsin. He has conservationist with the Society for a firm understanding that once land the Protection of New Hampshire is developed it likely will be “lost” Forests and the Trust for NH Lands. at least during his lifetime. Conser- She lives on the small farm that she vation of important wildlife habitat and her husband conserved with and land stewardship are of prime Five Rivers. importance to Wayne.  Five Rivers Conservation Trust | Fall 2017 Newsletter | 3

Support Five Rivers Today! NON-PROFIT US POSTAGEFive Rivers supporters make local land conservationpossible. Please help us grow! With your membership, PAIDquality of life in the Greater Capital Area can be even CONCORD, NHbetter! PERMIT 1694 $50 $150 $250 Five Rivers Conservation Trust 6 Dixon Ave, #201 $500 Other: $________ Concord, NH 03301 I’d like to support the Land Conservation Newsletter Specialist position with a 3 year commitment Sponsor to donate $__________ per yearName: ______________________________________Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________Phone: ______________________________________Email: ______________________________________Please clip this form and mail it with your check: Five Rivers Conservation Trust 6 Dixon Ave, #201, Concord, NH 03301 Or join online at 5rct.org.Printed on recycled paper with soy inksBoard Chair’s message Cont. from Page 1 Take a Hike! Join Five Rivers Sunday, November 5, Concord, NHupdate our governance and internal operations. Our planincludes adding a land conservation specialist to our staff and Start times between 12 Noon & 1 p.m.increasing conserved land by 50% to 6,000 acres.Our planned growth will lead to new opportunities to con- For a guided hike betweenserve important new properties which could otherwise lost be Winant and Swope Parkslost forever.We are successful because of your support. I, along with all of Photo by ✓✓ 1.6 miles between Winant andour Board members and staff, have the deepest gratitude for Chris Carley. Swope Parkswhat you do to help us achieve our goals.Every Five Rivers’ member can help us expand. Tell your ✓✓ Optional: 1.7 miles aroundfriends, family, co-workers or anyone else you know about Winant ParkFive Rivers. Invite someone who has never heard of FiveRivers on a hike on one of our local trails. Give someone a ✓✓ Two educational stops alongbottle of milk (in a real milk bottle) produced at Bohanan the wayFarm or stop by Diamond Hill Farm, Carter Hill Orchard orany one of a number of local conserved farms with a friend ✓✓ Shuttle to start point providedwho has a passion for good food, local ingredients and ✓✓ Family Friendlyproductive farmland. Check out our website (5rct.org) and ✓✓ Please, no dogsexplore the lands you have helped conserve. Attend our events ✓✓ Refreshments after hikethat highlight a conserved property. Tell everyone you knowabout us and invite them to help. Don’t make Five Rivers your Thanks Suggested Donation:little secret.  to our $5 at event Overall4 | Fall 2017 Newsletter | Five Rivers Conservation Trust Event Space is Limited— Sponsor Registration Required by Thursday Nov 2 at 5rct.org > Events