Celebrate Land Conservation on May 25!

How will land conservation shape the future of the Upper Valley? What opportunities and values does open space provide for the next generation? And how do local conservation achievements relate to larger environmental and economic trends?

Join us at the Bradford Academy for the annual meeting of The Upper Valley Land Trust next Tuesday, May 25 at 7pm. Our guest will be 26-year-old Jared Duval, an Upper Valley native and a fellow at Demos, the author of “Next Generation Democracy,” a trustee of the Orton Family Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club, and the former National Director of the Sierra Student Coalition, the largest student environmental organization in America. Jared’s roots are here and his vision is wide. He brings a unique perspective to help us envision our next generation of work both in terms of immediate civic impact and in a global context.

Jared will offer his thoughts about what makes the region special, while discussing some challenges and opportunities faced by UVLT and other environmental organizations. The meeting portion of the event will also feature a slide show depicting this year's conservation successes, and an award presentation honoring volunteerism.

We are thrilled to gather in Bradford for this celebration and hope this event will focus regional attention on the incredible accomplishments of Bradford’s Conservation Commission and its strong partnership with residents, businesses and students.

To encourage low-carbon commuting, we’ve organized an “Express Dinner Bus” leaving from Hanover/Lebanon at 6 pm. For $12 per person, you can enjoy camaraderie with UVLT staff and Trustees, a sandwich dinner from Stella’s Kitchen, great views and stories of the many conserved properties we’ll pass on our way. Bus riders will also be entered into a drawing to win gift certificates from the Canoe Club and the Upper Valley Food Co-op.

Sign up for the bus and learn more about pre-meeting hikes, a tour of Farmway’s solar panels or a special pre-meeting menu at the Perfect Pear restaurant in Bradford by calling Nora at (603) 643-6626 ext. 102 or emailing nora.doyleburr@gmail.com.

Jeanie McIntyre, President
Upper Valley Land Trust

Dedication Ceremony at the Nathaniel & Ina Thurber Memorial Forest

Join us in Unity, NH on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 2:30pm!

The Upper Valley Land Trust, the Town of Unity, and Laura & Walter Ryan and family welcome the community to join us as we celebrate and dedicate the recently conserved Nathaniel & Ina Thurber Memorial Forest in Unity, NH. The Upper Valley Land Trust holds a conservation easement on the property that was recently gifted to the town by the Ryans in honor of Laura’s parents. The Conservation Commission plans to maintain recreational trails that traverse the property for the public’s enjoyment and will be developing a forest management plan to guide future forestry activities. Please join us and see what a great resource this is! For more information about the conservation of this forest, please see our previous post: http://theuppervalleylandtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/town-of-unity-celebrates-gift-of.html

Join us at 2:30pm at the parking area and trailhead off Lear Hill Road. We will take a leisurely walk to the hilltop to enjoy the beautiful views. Following the hike, the Ryans will host a reception at their home in Newport to celebrate this special place.

Directions to the Forest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Newport&state=NH&address=400+Lear+Hill+Rd&zipcode=03773-7721&country=US&latitude=43.300141&longitude=-72.17721&geocode=ADDRESS

Directions from the Forest to the Ryans' home:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Newport&1s=NH&1a=400+Lear+Hill+Rd&1z=03773-7721&1y=US&1l=43.300141&1g=-72.17721&1v=ADDRESS&2c=Newport&2s=NH&2a=10+Grove+St&2z=03773-1432&2y=US&2l=43.370134&2g=-72.175729&2v=ADDRESS#b/maps/m:map:9:43.335084:-72.165677::::::1:1:::::::::/l::400+Lear+Hill+Rd:Newport:NH:03773-7721:US:43.300141:-72.17721:address::1:::/l::10+Grove+St:New port:NH:03773-1432:US:43.370134:-72.175729:address::1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:98373152,98373224:/bl:/e

Save the Date!

Annual Meeting & Celebration of Land Conservation
Tuesday, May 25

Meeting Featuring Guest Speaker, Jared Duval
7pm, Bradford Academy Building, Bradford, VT

Jared Duval, a quarter century year-old native of the Upper Valley and Lebanon High School graduate, will offer thoughts about what makes our region special, while discussing some of the challenges and opportunities before us as we embark on our next quarter-century of work.

About Jared:
Fellow, Demos
Author, "Next Generation Democracy"
Trustee, Orton Family Foundation
Board of Directors, Sierra Club
Former National Director, Sierra Student Coalition

The meeting will also feature a slide show depicting this year's conservation successes, an award presentation, and the election of new trustees.

For more information about the event, contact Nora at nora.doyleburr@gmail.com or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.

Please join us for other activities taking place in Bradford on May 25!

• Wright's Mountain Hike with the Bradford Conservation Commission


• Solar Panel Tour at Farm Way


• Round Trip Express Bus


• Perfect Pear Prix Fixe Dinner

Wright's Mountain Hike
Suggested donation $12, with all proceeds to benefit BCC's current land conservation project.
2:30pm Walk led by Bradford Conservation Commission Chair, Nancy Jones
4:00pm Shorter hike led by Tom Gray
Both outings will meet at the Bradford Academy Building and include a picnic dinner. In case of rain, the picnic will be held indoors at the Academy Building.

Solar Panel Tour
3:45pm Tour of Farm Way's solar panels, and time to shop
5:00pm Leave for dinner at the Perfect Pear (see below), or elsewhere in Bradford.

Round Trip Express Bus
Cost is $12.
6:00pm Bus leaves from Hanover/Lebanon - along the way enjoy sandwiches from Stellas & count the number of UVLT conserved lands you can spot from the road!

Please RSVP by May 21, for the hikes, solar panel tour or bus trip by emailing nora.doyleburr@gmail.com or by calling (603) 643-6626 ext. 102

Perfect Pear Dinner Option

5:15pm Field Green Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette, Gorgonzola Cheese, Maple Walnuts, & Cherry Tomatoes

Choice of Entree:
Grilled New York Sirloin, Jack Daniel's Demi Glace, Rosemary Mashed Potatoes, & Asparagus with Lemon Butter
or
Seared Atlantic Salmon Fillet, Balsamic Vinegar & Fresh Basil Marinated Roma Tomatoes, Brown Rice & Asparagus with Lemon Butter
or
Vegetarian Tortellini Primavera with Parmesan Cream Sauce
Dessert:
Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce
Includes coffee, tea, & Coke etc. (Does not include specialty sodas, bottled water or any alcohol)
$35.00/ person tax & gratuity included

To RSVP by Friday, May 21, call the Perfect Pear @ 802-222-5912 and mention UVLT.

Jeanie McIntyre Receives 2010 Sarah Thorne Award

Jeanie McIntyre, President of the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) in Hanover, was presented with the Sarah Thorne Conservation Capacity Award on Saturday at the annual Saving Special Places Conference in Weare, NH. The award was created in 2005 as a way to recognize people who make successful land conservation happen in the state of New Hampshire. Recipients are people who, in the course of their own conservation efforts, have enhanced the capacity of others to accomplish land conservation.

The award was created by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) to honor Sarah Thorne, who dedicated nearly 20 years of her career to land conservation in New Hampshire. Jane Difley, President of SPNHF, presented the award to Jeanie McIntyre at the Saving Special Places Conference on Saturday, April 10, at John Stark Regional High School in Weare, NH. McIntyre said she was honored to be recognized for her work in the Upper Valley region. “New Hampshire is distinguished among the 50 states for the vibrancy and effectiveness of its grassroots land conservation. That SPNHF, a statewide organization, has chosen to celebrate this kind of capacity building through statewide recognition is so wonderful. Thank you, Forest Society.” McIntyre’s name, along with those of previous recipients, will be inscribed on a permanent exhibit at the Conservation Center in Concord.

The Upper Valley Land Trust was created in 1985, as the Upper Valley Community Land Trust when Frances Field, who owned a small farm in Lebanon, asked “How can we keep all the farms in farming?” Jeanie McIntyre, a Lyme, NH native, has been a critical part of UVLT and land conservation in the Upper Valley for over 20 years. Serving in the capacity as Executive Director/President of UVLT for the last 15 years, she has largely shaped the growth of the organization. Over the years, UVLT has grown to hold conservation easements on more than 400 properties, amounting to more than 40,000 acres, across 44 towns, in two states and including over 27 miles of Connecticut River frontage. McIntyre has overseen the development and continual maintenance of over 22 community trails and seven canoe campsites, which are visited by scores of people each year.

Beyond advancing the goals of land conservation in the region, McIntyre seeks to improve and enhance the health of the Upper Valley community, as well as the viability of its landscape. McIntyre’s focus on the whole community includes encouraging collaboration between land conservation advocates and supporters of other nonprofit and educational organizations. She volunteers on the Board of Twin Pines Housing Trust, recognizing the need for affordable housing and its link to working lands and open spaces. She also has built enthusiasm for land protection in connection with school communities. McIntyre’s passion for this type of collaboration was evident in the recent successful community effort to protect Zebedee Headwaters in Thetford, an important property used as an outdoor classroom by the Thetford Elementary School.

Staff and Trustees of the Upper Valley Land Trust cordially invite friends and community members to join us in acknowledging McIntyre’s receipt of the Sarah Thorne Award and in celebrating her many years of dedication to land conservation in the Upper Valley. The organization will host an Open House on April 28, at 6 pm at their offices, 19 Buck Road, Hanover. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nora Doyle-Burr at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.

Photo courtesy of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

Baker Bush Hike & Maple Tasting Photos

Please visit Jim Blog's blog http://www.jimblockphoto.com/blog/, and view images from a fun hike at a recently conserved sugarbush in Strafford, VT, owned by Sue Baker & managed by Elise & Tig Tillinghast. Thanks to all who were able to attend! We plan to visit this property again for a vernal pool walk with UVLT's Amber Boland and VT Center for Ecostudies' Steve Faccio on April 24 from 9am - 12pm. Visit our calendar page to learn more as we get closer to the event: http://www.uvlt.org/events_recreation.html

Jim Block's Photos of Bear Pond Snowshoe

Please visit Jim Block's blog to view photos from our snowshoe to the Bear Pond Natural Area in Canaan on January 23rd, in collaboration with the Mascoma Watershed Conservation Council. Thanks to all who took part that day!

Thetford Celebrates Protection of Zebedee Headwaters

On Wednesday, January 20, the Upper Valley Land Trust purchased the 27.3 acre property known as Zebedee Headwaters, on Houghton Hill Road, Thetford Hill. Under the ownership of UVLT, the parcel will be protected from future development. UVLT will continue to manage the land as it has been, for wildlife habitat, as well as for educational and recreational purposes. This purchase was made possible through the support of the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund and the Children’s Fund, both of which are administered through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation – Upper Valley Region. Additional funds came from the Thetford Conservation Commission and through an outpouring of community support.

Some successful fundraising efforts were led by Thetford Elementary School students, including a Christmas Eve bake sale and outreach through the social networking website, Facebook. Connie Snyder of the Thetford Conservation Commission said of the bake sale, "It was beautiful to see the kids jumping up and down hailing down cars and to see the generosity of people who brought goods and bought goods - many did both."

Zebedee Headwaters is an ecological asset to the community and is enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. The Thetford Conservation Commission created a list of a variety of wildlife species that benefit from the property, including two birds listed as species of special concern in Vermont. While the parcel is renowned by bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts, the large wetland on this property also serves as a living outdoor classroom for local schoolchildren. Its proximity to both Thetford Elementary School and Thetford Academy makes it a critical resource for natural science educators. In recent years, the second grade curriculum at the elementary school has included wetland and forest studies conducted on the property. In addition, a Valley Quest adventure has also been written and published for the property. Though, the quest was “closed,” while the property was marketed for sale.

Prior to UVLT’s purchase of the property, the previous owners had received development permits and placed the parcel on the market for residential development. As approved, the proposed driveway, accessing the only buildable area in the back corner of the property, would have skirted the wetland edge and required two crossings. Such development would have fragmented important wildlife habitat and degraded the connectivity of the uplands to the wetland. It would also have diminished the recreational and educational values of the property.

Nearly half of the property consists of Class II state-significant wetland communities. The wetland filters the headwaters of Zebedee Brook, and is one of only two state-significant wetlands located along this direct tributary to the Connecticut River. Development of the parcel would have increased detrimental runoff and potentially diminished the wetlands’ ability to adequately provide water filtration services. This would have been especially problematic, as this property is located between two groundwater protection areas—one serves the Thetford Hill Village Water District and the other serves the two nearby schools.

This property is adjacent to State forest lands, near other UVLT-conserved land, and its conservation increases the contiguous protected acreage of these parcels to about 150 acres. UVLT’s recently acquired 97 acre Pegjack Forest, also on Houghton Hill Road, lies about 1 mile north of this conserved block.

UVLT will host a community celebration at the Thetford Hill Congregational Church on Saturday, January 30, from 1 - 4PM. Refreshments will be served. Attendees should bring outdoor clothing for a walk to the newly conserved property (weather permitting). This event is free and open to the public.

Upper Valley Land Trust Recognizes Local Land Stewards

The Bradford Conservation Commission was recognized at the Upper Valley Land Trust’s Volunteer Appreciation Open House on November 10th. The Conservation Commission received an award from the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) for the dedication they bring to their work as stewards of the Wright’s Mountain and Devil’s Den trails. In addition to giving UVLT the opportunity to recognize standout volunteers, the event gave the regional land conservancy’s volunteers, staff and trustees a chance to discuss experiences from the field while sharing a warm meal and some of Jasper Murdock’s Ale brewed by Patrick Dakin at the Norwich Inn.

The event recognized UVLT’s more than 55 stewardship volunteers, who assist in activities such as trail maintenance, campsite upkeep, and conservation easement monitoring across the 44 towns that comprise UVLT’s region. Volunteers who help UVLT to monitor conservation easements walk around conserved properties and document any changes to the landscape. These walks are performed annually on the nearly 400 parcels that have been conserved with UVLT. In addition to the time and energy that stewardship volunteers contribute, dozens more volunteers assist UVLT with events, advocacy, various committees, photography and a variety of in-kind donations.

According to UVLT’s President, Jeanie McIntyre, “UVLT was created and is sustained by volunteers, who are rolling up their sleeves, lacing up their boots, sharing their time and ideas to make a greener future for our region. We are so glad to recognize all they accomplish and happy to invite more people to get involved.”

At this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Open House, UVLT chose to honor the Bradford Conservation Commission. The Commission is responsible for the maintenance of the Wright’s Mountain and Devil’s Den trails, owned by the Town of Bradford and conserved with UVLT. Under their stewardship, trails have blossomed into a well-loved community resource.

Monica Erhart, UVLT’s Stewardship Coordinator, remarks “I have been extremely impressed by the time, energy, and care that the Bradford Conservation Commission puts into their trails. Their dedication to the Wright’s Mountain and Devil’s Den properties is a model among town efforts. The few members of the Conservation Commission not only put incredible amounts of time into the trails themselves, but their ability to recruit volunteers has been remarkable.” Chair of the Bradford Conservation Commission, Nancy Jones, said that the work of stewarding Wright’s Mountain and Devil’s Den is dependent on more than the eight individuals who make up the Conservation Commission; community volunteers are essential to the Commission’s success.

The 15-year anniversary celebration of the conservation of Wright’s Mountain this June recognized the many people who have been recruited by the Commission over the years. During this event, members of the Commission hung photos of volunteers along a newly-opened trail. “There must have been several hundred photos,” Erhart remembers, “and members of the Conservation Commission could tell a story of each of the various helpers from the past.”

Especially noteworthy is the Bradford Conservation Commission’s innovation in their encouragement of responsible use of the property. “The Bradford Conservation Commission never runs into an obstacle and simply decides that their efforts cannot be accomplished,” Erhart says. “Instead, they pull their resources together, get people rallied up, and find solutions that are suitable for everyone.” The Commission has rallied together to restore the old cabin at the summit of Wright’s Mountain, which provides a comfortable shelter. Along the trails are a number of benches, each with a name engraved. These serve the dual purpose of thanking contributors to the Commission’s conservation and stewardship efforts while also giving hikers places to rest.

In order to join the Upper Valley Land Trust as a volunteer on a trail team, as a campsite steward, or a conservation easement monitor, please contact Peter Helm, Vice President Stewardship at peter.helm@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext. 104. Spring monitor training dates will be posted at http://www.uvlt.org/ in early 2009. To assist UVLT with events or other outreach activities, please contact Nora Doyle-Burr at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.

Award-Winning Vermont Children's Author to Visit Hanover

On November 14, The Hanover Inn at Dartmouth College, Everybody Wins! Vermont (EW!VT), and the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) will host a presentation by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, an award-winning children’s author from the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont. The event will take place from 1 – 3:30pm in the Hanover Inn’s Daniel Webster Room. It is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5 per family going to offset the costs of the event.

Kinsey-Warnock grew up on a Vermont dairy farm in the Northeast Kingdom, where her Scottish ancestors settled almost two hundred years ago. Her mother, a teacher, instilled in her a love of books and reading, and a curiosity about everything, while her father encouraged her interest in the natural world, whether it was identifying birds, trees and wildflowers, or pointing out constellations on a starry night. Kinsey-Warnock’s book, As Long As There Are Mountains, is based on her childhood and love of her family’s farm, the land, and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Everybody Wins! Vermont is a statewide mentoring and literacy organization, which matches elementary school children with mentors at 21 schools across the state, including two in New Hampshire. The pairs read together one-on-one during lunchtime once a week throughout the school year. EW!VT has come together with the Upper Valley Land Trust, a regional land conservancy based in Hanover, to bring Kinsey-Warnock to the area for this all-ages celebration of literacy and localness.

Kinsey-Warnock’s two loves, land and reading, are the themes running through the November 14 event. The program will include a presentation for all-ages and book signing by Kinsey-Warnock, a family tree craft activity for children, and snacks made from fresh, local ingredients provided by The Hanover Inn at Dartmouth College. In addition, the Norwich Bookstore will be on-hand with a selection of Kinsey-Warnock’s books available for purchase.

Local Groups Host “KING CORN” Screening in Canaan

The Upper Valley Land Trust, Vermont Earth Institute, and Cardigan Mountain School will host a screening of the film, “King Corn” on October 27, 6 – 8pm in Cardigan’s Humann Theatre. “King Corn” is a 90 minute documentary film about America’s food system, which illustrates the interdependence of the environment, human health, economic growth, and the wellbeing of communities.

In the film, two friends, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, return to a rural area of northern Iowa where their great-grandfathers at one time lived just a few miles apart. Their plan? To plant an acre of corn and trace it as it flows in to the food system. Throughout the course of the film, the friends follow the corn plant from genetically modified seed and federal subsidies to hamburgers, high fructose corn syrup, and Type II diabetes. Though food is cheaper now than it was in the 1970s, the film explains that low prices come with hidden costs to the environment, human health, and society as a whole.

The 2007 film has received numerous awards. The Washington Post called it, "Lively, engaging and visually arresting . . . 'King Corn' should be required viewing by anyone planning to visit a supermarket, fast-food joint or their own refrigerator. Funny, wise and sad, it suggests that being well-fed has nothing to do with being well-nourished.”

The three local nonprofit organizations hosting the October 27 screening all have an interest in encouraging sustainable agriculture in the Upper Valley region, and beyond. “King Corn” brings attention to the large-scale systemic challenges faced by local, community-based agriculture. The groups also hope to bring attention to the value of small-scale, local agriculture in the Upper Valley. UVLT President Jeanie McIntyre says, “We are fortunate to live in a rural landscape where many of us know the people and the land that grow our food. As our region and our planet face changes and challenges, we see the importance of supporting local farmers and protecting the land we all need to have a healthy food system.”

More information about “King Corn” can be found at http://www.kingcorn.net/. Driving directions to Cardigan Mountain School can be found at http://www.cardigan.org/. There will be signs directing visitors from the entrance of the school to the Humann Theatre for the film screening. For more information contact Nora at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext.102.

20th Annual New Hampshire Tree Farm Field Day

The NH Tree Farm Committee has selected Igor Blake as the 2009 NH Outstanding Tree Farmer. The award recognizes Igor's long history of stewardship which recently included donating a conservation easement to UVLT. The field day is a celebration of Igor Blake's stewardship and an educational event for people to learn about all aspects of managing and caring for forestland. The morning session will include several tours of Mr. Blake's property, as well as other educational activities. Lunch is a chicken barbeque and pig roast with an award presentation, raffle and silent auction. The event will take place rain or shine on Saturday, September 19th, 9am - 3pm at the Blake Family Tree Farm, 456 Oak Street, Newport, NH. For more information call the NH Tree Farm Program office: (603) 224-9945, or find the printable brochure with directions to the Blake Tree Farm at http://extension.unh.edu/forestry/Docs/2009NHTREEFARM.pdf

"Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home" Comes to the Upper Valley

Upper Valley Land Trust, Vermont Earth Institute, Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, Sustainable Hanover, League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley, and Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District will co-sponsor the film Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7pm at the Howe Library’s Mayer Room, Hanover. This 76-minute documentary features the McDonalds, a husband, wife, and three young children from Toronto, who agree to star in the film as guinea pigs by storing three month’s worth of garbage in their garage.

The film explores the origins of the McDonald’s garbage and traces its path once it leaves their garage. Director Andrew Nisker takes the viewer to landfills, recycling centers and to the heart of Toronto’s multi-million dollar “wet garbage” processing plant – a place where city residents’ food scraps, paper towels and kitty litter are all processed into composting material.

The film tackles more than garbage – it looks at the negative aspects of phosphates in laundry detergent, heavy metals in the human body, and the ways in which communities in Michigan deal with their status as the dumpster for Canada’s trash. The film addresses the implications of lifestyle issues, such as energy use and mountain top mining for coal, which is the energy source for Toronto families like the McDonalds. Together, the McDonalds and viewers of this documentary discover that for every action there is a reaction that affects them and the entire planet. The film places the focal point of change in the home, and enables viewers to see the ways in which seemingly minor decisions can make a big difference in terms of the health of the earth. According to Nora Doyle-Burr, Programs Coordinator of the Upper Valley Land Trust, “We sponsors have come together with our mutual concerns to raise public awareness and action to use less energy, fewer natural resources – and to not pollute and despoil the environment.”

For more information about Garbage see http://www.garbagerevolution.com/. There will be a short discussion following the film; attendees will be encouraged to think of ways that they can take action to reduce our garbage. The event is free and open to the public. Bring your bowl and cup for free popcorn and drinks. For more information contact Barbara Duncan at vei@valley.net or 802-333-3664.

Protecting Critical Wildlife Habitat in the Upper Valley Region

HANOVER, NH—Upper Valley Land Trust will host Emily Brunkhurst of New Hampshire’s Fish and Game Department for a presentation entitled “Enhancing Small Scale Habitats: Grasslands, Shrublands, and Vernal Pools.” The event will be held on June 22nd at 7pm at the Richard Black Center on Lebanon Street in Hanover.

Small scale habitats such as grasslands, vernal pools, and shrublands, provide critical habitat for some of New Hampshire's imperiled wildlife species. These species include: marbled salamanders, black racers, grasshopper sparrows, and New England cottontails. Enhancing habitats for wildlife helps maintain the biological diversity of the State, which is the goal of New Hampshire’s Wildlife Action Plan. “Grasslands and shrublands must be managed to stay as those habitats, and so specific management techniques are important” says Emily Brunkhurst. “Vernal pools can be affected by forest management, so some special considerations are needed to ensure those pools stay productive.”

As Emily Brunkhurst will explain on June 22, vernal pools are wetland depressions identifiable by their relatively small size, physical isolation, and alternation between periods of flooding and drying. Loss of large quantities of vernal pool habitat can lead to local extinction of vernal pool-dependent species, for example: fairy shrimp, wood frog, spotted salamander, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and the state endangered marbled salamander. A database of vernal pool locations in the State is currently under development.

Other critical habitats currently under threat are grasslands. Grasslands are dominated by grasses, wildflowers, and sedges—with little shrub or tree cover. This includes hayfields, pastures and other grassy spaces such as capped landfills. Grasslands in New Hampshire must be mown to prevent them from becoming shrublands or forests, however, the mowing must be done in ways and at times so as to not harm or disturb the wildlife during critical breeding periods. This type of habitat is home to the Northern leopard frog, smooth green snake, Northern harrier, upland sandpiper, Eastern meadowlark, horned lark, purple martin, vesper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, and the grasshopper sparrow, among others. Only 8% of New Hampshire grasslands are protected by conservation easements. As grasslands grow into shrublands, they provide habitat for a whole new suite of species.

At the June 22nd presentation, New Hampshire Fish and Game's Emily Brunkhurst will explain ways of identifying these habitats, as well as ways of maintaining and enhancing them through management practices and the maintenance of buffers. This event is free and open to the public. To register in advance, contact Nora at (603) 643-6626 ext. 102, or noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org.

Two Upcoming Events in Bradford, VT

Community Hike and 15-year Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, June 6th, meeting at Wright's MT Trailhead, 9:30 am

Refreshments, Music and Ribbon-Cutting to open a new 1/2 mile trail called "Appreciation Way", dedicated to all the volunteers who have helped build and maintain trails and made this beautiful land more accessible to people of all ages.

"Appreciation Way" meanders away from the main Wright's MT Trail, through an evergreen stand and gradually up though a hardwood forest to a ridgeline plateau that offers distant views of Corinth to the West and NH mountains to the East. It rejoins the Wright's MT Trail for the final ascent to the cabin, which is perched at Bradford's highest point. (Easy to Moderate)

2009 marks the 15th year since Wright's MT was purchased from the Appleton Family and was conserved for the public's use FOREVER.

5th Annual Devil's Den Celebration, Sunday, June 7th, beginning at noon to mark the 5-year anniversary of Devil's Den being conserved.

Cook-out, live music, campfire, stories, guided hikes.

This event will be staged at the Devil's Den parking area on Chase Hollow Road. Parking will be available at a log landing about 1/4 mile from the Devil's Den Trailhead.

Contact Nancy Jones for more information about either of these events at npj@valley.net, or (802) 439-3562.

Annual Event Celebrates Upper Valley Working Lands & Wild Places

MERIDEN, NH—“When one family conserves acreage that is to be admired. When many neighbors together conserve a whole rural landscape, it is a powerful statement of shared values and recognition that collectively we can accomplish so much more.” It has been twelve years, since Dick Ramsden used those words to explain why he conserved his property. Today, the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) holds conservation agreements on approximately 400 parcels of land in 44 communities. Thousands of people have participated in UVLT’s mission since the Trust was founded in 1985. Their stories and accomplishments will be shared and celebrated on June 3, in Meriden…

UVLT invites supporters, friends, neighbors, and community members to join staff and Trustees for its annual celebration and membership meeting. Kimball Union Academy has generously donated space for the June 3rd event entitled: Tales from the Field. The event emphasizes the tremendous value that the region’s working lands and wild places add to its quality of life.

The schedule of activities for the day (weather permitting) includes a 3:30pm hike on French’s Ledges, a UVLT conserved trail in Meriden—it is a steep climb, but persistent participants will be rewarded by spectacular views. A guided bus tour of UVLT conserved lands in Sullivan County is available to those traveling from Hanover or Lebanon; it will leave at 3:30pm. Those interested in participating in either of these afternoon activities can register and learn more by calling or emailing Nora at (603) 643-6626 ext. 102, or noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org, by May 25th.

At 5:30pm, appetizers, cold drinks, and displays will be featured—UVLT staff will be available to provide current information about land conservation in the region, resources for landowners, and upcoming events. Local cheeses provided by Blythedale Farm and Jericho Hill Farm will be served. Patrick Dakin, Brew Master at the Norwich Inn, will pour Jasper Murdock’s Ales; some regional wines will also be enjoyed.

While partaking of these refreshments, guests will be invited to place bids on homegrown gifts in a silent auction to benefit UVLT. This year’s auction includes: a sunset champagne cruise on Canaan Street Lake (with loon sighting guaranteed), a “study” illustration from Big & Little, accompanied by the book itself by John Stadler, a handmade box by Garrett Hack of Thetford, a boat ride up the Connecticut River with John Carroll of Norwich, Farnum Hill Cider, Taylor Brothers’ Maple Syrup, Garfield’s Smokehouse Cheese, King Arthur Cookbooks, and many more locally crafted items! Everything in the auction has been donated by friends and neighbors who support land conservation in the region. View a complete list of items at: http://www.uvlt.org/pdf/Silent%20Auction%20Items.pdf.

Local ingredients will be the focal point of a casual dinner, $15 per person, beginning at 6:30pm. Seasonal produce will be provided by these area farms: Blue Ox Farm (Enfield, NH), Edgewater Farm (Plainfield, NH), Cedar Circle Farm (Thetford, VT), MacLennan Farm (Windsor, VT), and Four Corners Farm (Newbury, VT). Weather permitting; dinner will finish with first of the season strawberry shortcake and fresh whipped cream!

Following dinner, the program will consist of Tales from the Field: conservation stories told by Upper Valley landowners and volunteers. These will be reflective and inspiring accounts of the region’s working lands and natural areas. The evening’s speakers will provide insight into the motivations that lead to the conservation of the Upper Valley’s special places. During the awards portion of the evening, Meriden’s own, Steve Taylor, longtime New Hampshire Agriculture Commissioner will be honored for his work in conservation. In addition, Norwich’s Shiela Swett will be recognized for her nature photography, as well as her support of UVLT’s efforts.

For more information, or to reserve your seat, contact Nora Doyle-Burr at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626, by May 25th.

National Bike/Walk to Work Day, May 15, 2009

With growing concern about carbon footprints, there has never been a better time to leave your car at home and bike or walk to work! If all you have been waiting for is little support and encouragement, the 5th Annual Upper Valley Bike/Walk to Work Day, co-organized by Upper Valley Trails Alliance and Upper Valley Rideshare, is a good time to start. Friday, May 15th is the day to curb your car, and use an earth-friendly commute, and reward yourself with a free light breakfast (provided at eight different locations). Join your friends, neighbors and co-workers, as well as thousands of others across the nation, in celebrating National Bike/Walk to Work Day.

The 2008 event had 302 participants from 63 employers attending 8 breakfasts. There were 11 Bike and Walk Groups to choose from, and 30 sponsors. By leaving their cars at home for one day, the 302 participants SAVED 4,193 milesand 1.86 Tons of Co2.

For commuters who are unsure about which route to take, how to navigate the roads, or how long it will take to get to work, the UV event offers experienced local Bike and Walk commuters who will lead small groups into the UV employment areas. Maps for some well-tested routes are also on the website. The commutes utilize common roads and groomed trails including the Upper Valley’s Northern Rail Trail to get to work. Check the website http://www.bike2work-day.com/ for route maps and group meeting times.

Breakfasts vary but generally offer a variety of fresh fruit, bagels, juice and coffee. Like-minded participants chat about road conditions, cold and fitness. Sign-in at the breakfast to be entered into a drawing featuring a $100 savings bond from Mascoma Savings Bank, an I-pod Shuffle from Systems Plus, lunch from Harpoon Brewery, gas cards from Lebanon Jiffy Mart, walking shoes from Farmway, Inc.-Vermont Gear, membership at the RVC, and more all donated by generous local sponsors.

The 2009 Breakfast locations are:

• Hanover - Buck Rd: Upper Valley Land Trust, 8-9:00AM
• Hanover - Etna Rd: Hypertherm Cafeteria, 7-8:30AM
• Hanover - Hopkins Center Plaza: Dartmouth College, 6:30-8:30AM with a tech from Omer & Bob’s Sport Shop on-site
• Lebanon - Downtown: Colburn Park, 7-8:30AM with an EMS tech on-site
• Lebanon - Centerra Park: Lebanon Food Co-op, 7-8:30AM
• Hartford - Downtown: Hartford Municipal Building Lawn, 7-8:30AM
• Norwich - Rte 5: King Arthur Flour Bakers Store, 7:30-8:30
• Lebanon: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Level 1 Dining Room, 6:30-9AM (Employees only)

Sponsors of the 5th Annual event include: Dartmouth College, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hartford Parks and Recreation, Lebanon Recreation and Parks, Hypertherm, Lebanon Food Co-op, Systems Plus Computers, Farm-Way Inc, River Valley Club, Harpoon Brewery, Salt Hill Pub, Omer & Bobs, Lou’s Restaurant, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) West Lebanon, Lebanon Jiffy Mart, Mascoma Savings Bank, Lou’s Restaurant, King Arthur Flour, Upper Valley Land Trust.

Details at http://www.bike2work-day.com/. This event was co-organized by Upper Valley Rideshare, a ride matching service for NH and the UV region since 1992, and Upper Valley Trails Alliance, promoting trails and healthy living, connecting communities.

Now You Can Watch UVLT Programs Online!

Did you miss the April 28th Natural Areas presentation by Mark Zankel, Deputy State Director for the NH Chapter of The Nature Conservancy?

Don't worry! Simply visit CATV's website at: www.catv8.org/watch/video-on-demand.html. Then, search for UVLT, Natural Areas, or TNC. Look for Marc Rosenbaum's May 12th Deep Energy Retrofits & Zero Net Energy Homes presentation on CATV's website soon.

MARC ROSENBAUM PRESENTS “DEEP ENERGY RETROFITS AND ZERO NET ENERGY HOMES”

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT—The Upper Valley Land Trust, Vermont Earth Institute, Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG), and the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club will co-sponsor Marc Rosenbaum, P.E.’s presentation entitled, “Deep Energy Retrofits and Zero Net Energy Homes” on May 12th at 7pm at the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, VT. Energy efficiency is one step that Upper Valley residents can take to reduce their carbon footprints, and to save money on fuel costs. This presentation is part of a much larger effort to encourage discussion and empower individuals to take action against climate change.

In early April, James Hansen visited Dartmouth and presented scientific data that indicates the urgent need for immediate efforts to face the challenges caused by climate change. Rosenbaum will offer practical solutions to combat this pressing threat and discuss the need to fix buildings and create new ones so that they use much less energy. His presentation will include a view from the trenches of state-of-the-art low energy houses and extreme energy makeovers of existing homes. There will be time for questions at the end of the evening. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by contacting Nora at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org, or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.

Rosenbaum, a resident of Meriden, NH, holds BS and MS degrees from MIT, where he studied mechanical engineering. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities which connect humans to the natural world, and support both personal and planetary health. Through a collaborative design process, he achieves the goal of understanding the interconnections between people, place, and systems that generate the best solution for each project.

Rosenbaum’s company, Energysmiths, was founded in 1979, on the principle that sustainable communities can only be based on renewable resources. He has focused on integrating renewable energy systems, daylighting, high performance envelope design, health-sustaining mechanical systems, food production and storage, ecological waste systems, efficient electrical and water systems, and benign, resource-efficient materials selection into his projects. Visit Energysmiths’ website for more information about Rosenbaum’s work: http://www.energysmiths.com/.

The Upper Valley Land Trust works to protect farmland, forest, water resources, wildlife habitat, trails and scenic areas that are vital to the character of the Vermont and New Hampshire communities of the Upper Valley. Founded in 1985, the Upper Valley Land Trust is a non-profit organization supported primarily by local contributors. For more information please visit http://www.uvlt.org/.

Vermont Earth Institute engages and supports Vermonters to reduce consumption and adopt environmentally sustainable practices in their homes, workplaces and communities. To learn more visit: http://www.vtearthinstitute.org/

Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG) promotes energy conservation, efficiency and renewables through the formation of town energy committees to help residents, businesses and the municipalities reduce energy consumption, save money, increase the sustainable use of renewables, strengthen the local economy and improve the environment. For more information, visit their website http://www.serg-info.org/.

The Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club works on a number of issues that they believe are critical for helping maintain Vermont's high quality of life - including working with Vermont communities on energy and climate change and protecting public lands. Find out more at http://www.vermont.sierraclub.org/.

Naturalist Walk at Hawkride Farm

Saturday, May 9th, 8:30 - 11:30am

Hawkride Farm, 109 Jenney Road, Meriden, NH

Join Monica Erhart, UVLT Stewardship Coordinator, Amber Boland, UVLT Conservation Mapping and Field Specialist, and Peg Ackerson, a member of the Mascoma Chapter of the New Hampshire Audubon, as they lead a naturalist walk on a beautiful property (Hawkride Farm) conserved by UVLT Trustee, Myra Ferguson and her husband, Allan. The walk will focus on the property's springtime bird and plant life. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. For more information contact Monica Erhart at Monica.erhart@uvlt.org or Amber Boland at amber.boland@uvlt.org, or call UVLT at (603) 643-6626.

In case of inclement weather, call Monica at (802) 431-5061.

Directions:

Hawkride Farm is located halfway between Route 120 and Route 12A on Brook Road which is runs through Plainfield and West Lebanon, NH.
From 12A:
From I-89, take Exit 20 in West Lebanon and follow Route 12A to the south. In about 2 miles, turn left* onto True's Brook Road. Stay on this road as the name changes first to Brook Road, then to Willow Brook Road, about 4.8 miles. Turn left on Jenney Road. Approximately 1/2 mile up Jenney Road on the left is the driveway entrance. There is a granite post marking 109 Jenney Road. The Ferguson house is on the top of the hill on the right at the end of a 1/2 mile long driveway. Park your car below the house by continuing straight on the driveway and following the parking signs.
From RT 120:
From I-89, take NH 120 south to Meriden Village. At the flashing yellow traffic light, turn right* onto Main Street. Continue on Main Street and pass a covered bridge on the left. Main Street then changes to Valley Brook Road. Travel about 2 more miles from village to what appears to be a fork in the road. Take the road on the right, Jenney Road. Approximately 1/2 mile up Jenney Road on the left is the driveway entrance. There is a granite post marking 109 Jenney Road. The Ferguson house is on the top of the hill on the right at the end of a 1/2 mile long driveway. Park your car below the house by continuing straight on the driveway and following the parking signs.
*If coming from the south, turn in the opposite direction (i.e., "right" not "left").

Natural Areas: What Are They, Why Do They Matter, and How Do They Touch Down in the Upper Valley Region?

Connecticut River from Silverweed Seep Preserve© Eric Aldrich/TNC

Join The Nature Conservancy and the Upper Valley Land Trust on April 28th, 7 – 8:30pm at The Howe Library Mayer Room in Hanover, NH. Mark Zankel, Deputy State Director for The Nature Conservancy's New Hampshire Chapter, will speak about the role of "natural areas" in New Hampshire's network of conservation lands. He will preview an exciting new conservation project to protect a large Upper Valley landscape for nature and people.

This program is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Nora at noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or (603) 643-6626 ext. 102.