FALL / WINTER / 2020 Piscataquog News THE PISCATAQUOG LAND CONSERVANCY NEWSLETTER

Celebrating 50 years of land protection To conserve the natural and scenic landscapes of the Piscataquog, Souhegan, and Nashua watersheds of .

PHOTO: PAT NELSON the outreach and political effort to secure state protected river status for the Piscataquog. 1969 A handful of concerned citizens begin From My informal discussions about starting a conservation Corner The 2000’s saw the organization shift its group dedicated to preserving the Piscataquog emphasis to increasing the pace of land protec- River and its watershed. The catalyst is the tion, and PWA hired its first professional staff. by Chris Wells announcement that a long-dormant Boston & The organization’s protected acreage jumped Maine (B&M) Railroad right of way along the PLC President/ from just under a thousand acres in 1999 to Executive Director more than 4,700 acres during the decade. Piscataquog River through New Boston is to Reflecting this new focus the PWA became be sold. the Piscataquog Land Conservancy (PLC). The 2010s have been marked by continued From Small Beginnings growth in PLC’s conservation impact and elcome to the 50th Anniversary professionalism. Our service area now edition of the Piscataquog News. spans twenty-three towns, and we are WIn addition to the usual updates on nationally accredited. Earlier this year the PLC’s current activities, this expanded Bedford Land Trust entrusted its issue includes guest essays and a 700 acres of conservation land timeline highlighting the first fifty to PLC. By the end of 2020 years of the organization. I hope our land and easements will you enjoy and are inspired by pass the 9,000-acre mark. both. This organization began So what do the next fifty years in 1970 when a handful of hold for PLC? That is a sub- friends and neighbors came ject for several future columns, together to see if they could but here are a few thoughts: acquire an old railroad bed along the first, the need to protect land in our Piscataquog River for a trail. For almost a region remains urgent. PLC will need decade they organized, to stay focused on negotiated, raised money protecting ecologi- and spread the word So what do the next cally valuable lands 1970s about the river and its for years to come, larger watershed. By fifty years hold for PLC? 1970 A first meeting of potential charter while simultaneously meeting our growing the end of the decade their little grassroots members is held in April at the old Weare Fire stewardship responsibilities. One intriguing organization – the Piscataquog Watershed question for PLC’s next decade is whether we Station (now the site of the Weare Middle School). Association (PWA) – had achieved its goal. can (or should) reinvigorate the educational The group agrees to move forward with establish- Today’s New Boston Rail Trail is the legacy of partnerships and volunteer citizen-science ing a new non-profit organization. The Piscataquog this founding group. Watershed Association (PWA) comes into being by that was such a big part of PWA’s mission in filing articles of agreement (incorporation) with the With the trail secured, in the 1980s the PWA the 1980s and 90’s. Another is how we can rededicated itself to engaging and educating become more active in the two cities in our N.H. Secretary of State. The new organization’s the public about the natural resources of the service area: Manchester and Nashua. Yet application for tax-exempt status is approved by Piscataquog watershed and the importance of another is how PLC might play a useful (even the IRS in November 1970. Both documents are land protection. The group launched educa- if small) role in helping New Hampshire prepared pro bono by a young attorney from Weare tional programs in partnership with local arrive at its low-carbon future a little sooner. named David Souter. schools, and engaged local people in citizen However we answer these questions, we science projects like stream monitoring can look to this organization’s future with 1973 PWA reaches agreement with the Boston and wildlife tracking. All the while, PWA optimism. After all, the Piscataquog Land & Maine to buy 64 acres of land including 2.1 miles kept protecting land, often using the then- Conservancy was founded by a small group of the old railbed. The purchase price is $11,000. new approach of conservation easements. of people who thought globally but acted Key players in the lengthy negotiations for PWA The emphasis on citizen involvement and locally, got things done, and had fun while education continued throughout the 1990s, include Richard Moore, Randy Parker, David they did it. That has always been the PLC as did the steady pace of land protection. Woodbury, and Bob Todd. way, and may it always be. PWA also waded into public policy as it led 1974 After more than a year of fundraising that includes potluck suppers, contra dances, raffles, PLC’s 50th Annual Meeting Goes Virtual “selling” old railroad spikes for a donation and applying for grants, PWA raises the funds it needs The Piscataquog Land Conservancy’s 50th Annual Meeting will be held on to purchase the B&M land. PWA acquires additional Saturday, October 24th as a virtual online event. As always, our members will have property from the railroad in 1976, ultimately the opportunity to hear about PLC’s accomplishments over the past year, review protecting a total of 3.4 miles of frontage along our financial statements, and elect new trustees and officers. The meeting will take the Middle Branch of the Piscataquog River. place from 5:00-6:30 PM via Zoom teleconference. To help us plan for the event, we ask that you register online at www.plcnh.org. We look forward to seeing you! 2 PLC Easement

Will Protect 1979 The PWA transfers the B&M lands to the town of New Boston Conservation Commission. New Boston Town Forests The trail is later named the New Boston Rail Trail and is still going strong today.

he Piscataquog Land Conservancy and the Town of New Boston have joined forces to 1980s place a conservation easement on the town’s five Town Forests, which together total 1980 PWA accepts its first-ever conservation T470 acres. Once completed later this fall the conservation easement held by PLC easement from Sam and Martha Brooks on 144 will ensure the properties are protected in perpetuity. Two of the parcels – the Colby and acres of forested land in New Boston. PWA protects Siemeze Forests – are located on Middle Branch Road, just across the Piscataquog River from additional land throughout the 1980s, including PLC’s Thomas and Houghton sanctuaries. The other three – the Lydia Dodge, Sherburne, the Mulligan, Belanger, Dow, Marden, Hersey, and Todd Forests – are located along Old Coach Road and include the town’s transfer station Baron and Jonathan Brooks properties. and ball fields. About seventeen acres encompassing these areas will be excluded from the conservation easement. A 2019 study found that 69% of Under New Hampshire law, town-owned land can be designated as a Town Forest by the vot- New Hampshire’s Town Forests ers at spring town meeting or ballot voting. The designation transfers control of the land had been permanently protected from the town’s select board or council to a through conservation easements Forestry Committee charged with ensuring the its continued viability as a forest. While Town or other legal restrictions. Forest designation gives town-owned wood- lands land a degree of protection from being developed or sold off, it can also be undone at any time by another vote of town residents. For this reason, many municipalities have sought the additional protection of conservation easements held by a third party like a land trust. A 2019 study by UNH Cooperative Extension and the NH Association of Conservation Commissions found that 69% of New Hampshire’s Town Forests had been permanently protected through conservation easements or other legal restrictions. The idea of placing a conservation easement on New Boston’s Town Forests had been dis- cussed on and off for the better part of two decades. In late 2019, the town’s Conservation 1982 Educator and founding PWA board Commission and Forestry Committee decided the time had come to make the idea a reality. member Gordon Russell leads 6th graders from the Laura Bernard, who chairs the New Boston Conservation Commission, says “every December, New Boston Central School in an 8-week outdoor the Conservation Commission hosts a holiday party, and we invite all the town committees and environmental education class that includes field local organizations that are focused on protecting the New Boston’s natural resources. With trips along the Piscataquog River, local wetlands, everybody in the same room, we got to talking about our desire to permanently protect the and ponds. Other PWA outreach and education New Boston Town Forests. By the end of the evening we had a plan.” efforts spearheaded by Russell during the decade PLC’s land protection specialist Tom Jones first put together the required tasks and budget include traveling natural history slideshows and for completing a conservation easement. The Forestry Committee promptly approved the volunteer water quality monitoring. plan, and the Conservation Commission agreed to cover project expenses from the town’s conservation fund. The New Boston Board of Selectmen then agreed to place a warrant article 1989 PWA ends the decade with seventeen on the March 2020 ballot to see if town residents supported granting the easement to PLC. protected properties totaling 429 acres. The article went on to pass overwhelmingly. PLC has worked through the spring and summer to complete all the due diligence needed to complete the easement including a boundary survey, environmental assessment, title work, easement drafting and baseline documentation. As of this writing, the project is on track to close by the end of 2020. The New Boston Forestry Committee’s Chair Tom Miller says “the Forestry Committee is really pleased to be part of this collaborative effort with the Conservation Commission and PLC to preserve New Boston’s five town forests for the benefit of future generations.” 3 1990s exciting or motivating for me to be a part 1993 Governor Steve Merrill signs legislation of, nor one that has had more widespread designating the Piscataquog as a protected river support. Every single person and partnering under the NH Management and Protection organization involved worked very hard, and Program. PWA leads the effort to secure the desig- all coordinated so well, to make this very large nation through public education, lobbying the project come together.” legislature and preparing a 250-page application The land purchased by PLC directly abuts to the state. the town of Mason’s Spaulding Brook Conser- Nissitissit vation Area and Doonan property and builds 1994 PWA expands its student intern on the larger protection effort in the area program for students from John Stark High School which has to date protected over 1,700 acres and St. Anselm College. St. Anslem Professor Barry of land in Mason and Milford. The project Wicklow and his students survey the biodiversity Headwaters also expands conservation to the north and of the watershed. west towards another 1,800 acres of nearby protected land centered on Russell-Abbott State Forest in Wilton. Project The land’s protection also helps complete a decades-long effort to protect the headwaters of the . The Nissitissit is a main tributary of the that flows through Brookline and Hollis, and was given Completed National Wild and Scenic River status in 2018. The Piscataquog Land Conservancy has previously worked with the Town of Brookline to conserve key parcels along the 1995 PWA’s Graham Pendlebury works with the river’s main stem. State DOT to install the now-familiar “Protected n June 30th, 2020, the Piscataquog River” signs at Piscataquog crossings. Land Conservancy closed on our Mason Conservation Commission chair Bob Opurchase of 267 acres of forest, Larochelle says “everyone recognized how 1997 Sixteen PWA members travel to Vermont streams, and wetlands in Mason. PLC’s important it was to save this exceptional to train as citizen wildlife trackers through the acquisition helps complete a decades-long place for people and wildlife to enjoy forever. Keeping Track program. PWA volunteers complete a effort to protect the headwaters of the The PLC, Mason Conservation Commission, comprehensive shoreline survey of 65 miles of the Nissitissit River, a main tribu- and many others worked tary of the Nashua River …“everyone recognized how tirelessly and overcame Piscataquog River’s three branches. PWA partners which was given National Wild important it was to save this many hurdles to bring this with two local schools on U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s and Scenic status in 2018. exceptional place for people project to fruition. It was “Adopt a Salmon” program. PLC will manage the land for and wildlife to enjoy forever. truly a masterpiece of water quality and wildlife The PLC, Mason Conservation teamwork and dedication habitat, public recreation, and by all involved.” Commission, and many others sustainable forestry. worked tirelessly and overcame Funding for the Nissitissit The property had long been a many hurdles to bring this Headwaters purchase was top priority for local conserva- anchored by two large project to fruition. It was truly a tionists, and when it came up state grants: $300,000 for sale in early 2019 PLC was masterpiece of teamwork and grant from the state’s able to secure a purchase dedication by all involved.” Aquatic Resources Mitiga- agreement that gave us a year tion (ARM) fund, which is to raise the necessary funds to buy the land, administered by the N.H. Department of 1998 PWA member Lynn Lombard launches which ultimately totaled $639,000. If PLC’s Environmental Services, and a $200,000 a volunteer group that works to eradicate invasive fundraising effort to purchase the property grant from the Land and Community Heritage purple loosestrife from twenty sites around the had been unsuccessful the land would have Investment Program (LCHIP). Mason contrib- Piscataquog watershed. gone back on the open market. The project uted $80,000 from the town’s conservation was a huge leap of faith for PLC, the landown- fund towards the purchase. er, and for the many funders that came togeth- Additional grants were awarded to the project er to make it possible. Thanks to the hard the state’s Conservation License Plate grants work and generosity of many people, it all program ($24,000), the Merrimack Conser- came together. vation Partnership ($15,000), and the PLC’s Land Protection Specialist Tom Jones Davis Conservation Foundation ($10,000). says the land is “an incredibly important Almost $10,000 in private contributions from and special place, no project has been more local residents rounded out the funding mix. 4 50TH ANNIVERSARY ESSAY Weare to collect ice blocks that were stored in a barn, covered with sawdust to keep them frozen. In 1975, my father Sam retired as Chief Pathologist at the Elliot Hospital, sold the house in Manchester, and moved to New Boston permanently. He became New Boston’s health officer and a member of the planning board. Martha joined the town’s Conservation Committee and 1999 PWA maintains a steady pace of land the recently established Piscataquog conservation throughout the decade and ends the Watershed Association. Martha, as the 1990s with a total of 31 protected propertie second chair of the PWA’s board of encompassing 982 acres. trustees, helped secure the old Boston and Maine Railroad right of way, which is now a walking and bike trail that runs from New Boston center into Goffstown, 2000s A Family and then across the into 2002 PWA partners with state and federal Manchester. In 1980 Sam and Martha agencies, St. Anslem College and Trout Unlimited donated the conservation easement to on a stream bank restoration project along an TraditionBy Jon Brooks PWA on 144 acres of their land in New eroded section of the Middle Branch in New Boston (my brothers and sister added four Boston. “Citizen science” projects including n 1980 my parents, Sam and Martha Brooks, more acres to the easement in 2006). Keeping Track field surveys, water quality donated the first-ever conservation easement Meanwhile, I had returned to New Boston monitoring, salmon fry stocking, and loosestrife Ito the Piscataquog Watershed Association, in 1970 after four years in California and eradication projects (including the release of now known as Piscata quog Land Conservancy. secured fifteen acres of land adjacent to loosestrife-munching beetles) continue. They had first purchased the 150 or so acres on Martha and Sam’s to build a home. With no Pine Road in New Boston, which came with a log building codes in place, I was able to build cabin hunting lodge, in 1947. As one of five an unusual home inspired by my fine arts children I remember vividly how my mother educational background. Continuing the would load us all into her Woody station wagon, family tradition, I donated a conservation easement on my fifteen acres to the PWA Like our parents Sam and Martha in 1989. In the 1990s my second wife, before us, we grew up loving our Jami Boyle, and I acquired another twenty family’s land, and are proud of acres of land on the north side of Pine Road from Bob Todd, another of New Boston’s their decision to pass it on intact founding conservationists. Bob honored to future generations. his father’s (Laben Todd) handshake agreement granting us the right of first driving from our home in Manchester to New refusal, and at the original price! PWA’s 2003 After serving for five years on PWA’s Boston. Pine Road then was very narrow, and purchase of a conservation easement on the board, Margaret Watkins becomes the organiza- very muddy in early spring. We were always twenty acres in 2000 helped Jami and I tion’s first Executive Director. Paula Bellemore joyful as we arrived at our beloved cabin in the afford to secure the property. This brought joins the PWA staff as a part-time Administrative woods. There was no electricity or running the Brooks Family’s conserved acreage with water, which was carried to the cabin from a Director. PLC completes the acquisition of the PWA in New Boston up to 183 acres. My 193-acre Tuthill Woodlands Preserve in New Boston. spring on the property. brother Phil and his wife Ginny donated As children our days were spent roaming in the a conservation easement on 79 acres in surrounding forest and playing in a nearby Lyndeborough in 2007. sandpit. I also have fond memories of fishing Like our parents Sam and Martha before in local streams and the Middle Branch of the us, we grew up loving our family’s land, Piscataquog River, building forts and treehouses, and are proud of their decision to pass it on and hiking the trail that my father made from the intact to future generations. We have old logging roads. Our days were punctuated by sought to honor their example of conserva- lunch. Martha would round us up by ringing a tion in our own lives. As the world gets 2004 PWA and the Francestown Land Trust large, hanging iron wagon wheel that could be busier and more complicated, conserved launch the Headwaters Project, a joint effort to heard from great distances away. Mmm, those land is more and more important. Jami and were the days. In 1964, on the foundation where I welcome the community to use the trails prioritize and protect key lands in the Piscataquog the cabin and a farmhouse once stood, Martha (on foot) on our conserved land. Please watershed’s upper reaches. Over the next few years, and Sam built a year-round house, which by then come experience the joy and beauty of the the Headwaters project will protect more than a had electricity and running water. Before then we woods that my parents, and we, have loved thousand acres in the area. had an ice box for refrigeration and would go to so much. 5 PLC SUPPORTERS PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE LEADERSHIP CIRCLE $15,000+ $1000+ HONOR ROLL Mason Conservation Commission 5 Anonymous (2) John & Anne McCausland p Rosemary & Chris Conroy T p Fiscal Year 2020 Land and Community Heritage Investment David & Judy Corbit M (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) Program (LCHIP) 5 Kurt Fischer & Sharon Shultz Merrimack Conservation Partnership 5 Please note that donations received after Richard Floreani New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Shirley French June 30, 2020 will appear in next year’s State of New Hampshire Francois Gauthier 5 honor roll. Aquatic Resources Mitigation Fund (ARM) Steve & Julie Grandgeorge $10,000+ Judy Gross & Bob Merwin Jeff & Debbie Jackson DID YOU KNOW? Davis Conservation Foundation Summit Computer Services Jane B. Cook 1992 Charitable Trust Terry Knowles M 5 Nearly all of PLC’s operating income The Nichols Trust Representative Neal & Heleen Kurk Marilyn Jordon Taylor Evelyn & Michael Miller comes from the annual contributions 5 Town of Brookline John Monson of people like you, one gift at a time. Susan & Bill Tucker Lora Sabin & Jonathan Hecht T Last year we were supported by $5000+ Gary & Patty Samuels Amy Shakow 5 5 almost 400 individuals, families, Helen Grembowicz Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA The McIninch Foundation foundations and businesses who Jeremy & Carolynne Shinn Doug Powers & Doria Harris Marianna Vis “act locally” to protect the natural Samuel P. Hunt Foundation M resources of the region they call James & Sara Shirley $500+ Ellen Townes-Anderson & Craig Anderson Airmar Technology Corporation home. We work hard to keep our $2500+ Christine Anderson fundraising requests to a minimum – Ansell & Anderson, P.A. Anonymous Philip & Virginia Brooks M p we write our members just twice a Jed Callen & Carol Hess p Holly & James Cassidy T year, once in the fall and again in the The French Foundation Jess Charpentier Randy & Gail Parker Curbstone Financial Management Corporation spring as we approach the end of our RiverStone Resources LLC Georgia Stone Industries, Inc 5 T p fiscal year. This allows us to spend Joshua & Hollis Young Aaron Gill & Rob Girard T Barbara & Fred Hayes our time, and your money, on our Betsy & Ralph Holmes T mission instead of fundraising mail- Susan & Beatty Hunter Peter Kaplan & Katharine Hanson ings – and that’s the way we all like it! John Kerrick 5 To learn more about how you can Addie Ann Lambarth T Monica & Michael Lehner financially support PLC, including Moose Plates monthly “sustainer” gifts, gifts of State Conservation Grant Progam Bruce & Christine Nelson 5 stock, and making PLC part of your Lori & Wayne Parent estate plan, contact Chris Wells at Michael & Sue Thomas Eugene & Veronica Van Loan 487-3331 or [email protected]. Roberta Walmsley M p

6 FRIENDS Gail & Michael Kulak Lake Horace Land Owner Corporation $100+ John Lewicke 5 Anonymous (6) Rebecca & Thomas Linehan Sharon Akers Barbara McKusick Liscord & Paul Liscord Brewster & Elizabeth Ames Dick & Ann Ludders Dudley & Jeannette Baker Scott & Genny MacKenzie Davis Bartlett John & Donna Magee Paula Bellemore T p Nolan & Jaime Margo Paul R. Belyea Brian McInnis & Sally McInnis 5 Chris Briggs Harold Melcher Marilyn Brock Brent Merriam Steven Brooks & Emily Hartnett Marty Milkovic & Elizabeth Bauer Clayton & Pauline Brown Mrs. Claira P. Monier Ann & Jeffrey Nelson CONSERVATIONIST CIRCLE Steve Brown, Steve's School Bus Service, Inc. Meredith Bunting M NH Center for NonProfits George Newman $250+ John Campbell Jennifer Carleton Michael Robert Ory Richard Backus & Sharon Romeyko Thomas & Judith Carr Heidi Palmer Mrs. Jordan Bailey & Dr. Michael Bailey Rita Carroll Richard Pendleton & JS Wheeler Joslin & Ross Bennett T Holly Carson Alison & Michael Perrella Michael & Sandra Boyko Thomas Cashell David & Ruth Pierce David Butler p Francis & Celeste Catano Pat Pine Alexander Clark M 5 Cheryl Christner & Tim White David & Marcia Potter Mike DePetrillo & Kari Lewis Catherine S. Clark Hannah Proctor Robert C. Dewhirst Mark & Linda Clark Richard & Marsha Rawlings Ellen Dokton T Peter & Nancy Clark Nancy & Barry Reinbold Paul & Deb Doscher M Thomas Clow Greg Reny Bill & Susan Dunlap Gail Coffey Dana & Louise Robie Mark Dunn, Mark Dunn Law Office Larry & Brigitte Cook Stephen Roy Joan & Dana Haley T Deering Lake Improvement Association Dennis & Maureen Ryan Paul Hider & Regina Conrad Brendan Denehy Karina Santos Dr. Richard Hockman Roger Dignard Eric & Donna Seidel David & Susannah Jonas Amy Dillon Tom & Mimi Simmons Bob Jones & Happy Beale Robert & Henry Dodge, Dodge Stores Karen Simmons Deborah & Michael Kaufman Mrs. Stephanie Dubreuil Joan & John Skewes Linda & Bruce Leibig New Boston Bookkeeping & Payroll Rod Stark Ken & Lyn Lombard Donna & Andy Dunn Marion Stoddart 5 Laurie Mackenzie-Gordon Ronald & Aino Elliott Betty Straw Pat Nelson p Cara Ferrentino 5 Brian & Judy Streeter Michael Nolen Erik Fey & Kathleen Rutty-Fey Martha Sunderland T M Jeanene Procopis Lucy Gobin Barbara A. Thomson James & Jane Raymond Wayne & Laura Goldner Scott Thornton Rodny & Faye Richey Laurence Gott Roy Tilsley & Shannon Kamieneski Beth Salerno & Tod Ramseyer T Jordan Greenberg Erik Tolf Mr. & Mrs. David N. Seager T Don & Patricia Grosso Joe Trudeau David & Jillian Smith Joanne & Richard Gustafson Susan Tufts-Moore & Richard Moore Eric Soederberg Reggie Hall Denise Vaillancourt David Souter Ben & Robin Haubrich Rick Van de Poll Marcy Stanton T 5 Will Hively Ecosystem Management Consultants of NE William & Sheila Steele Eric & Sarah Howe Margaret Watkins Ben & Kate Taylor M Susan & John Howe Barry & Lois Wicklow Megan Thomas & Duncan Coakley Nancy Huckins Jonathan & Jessica Willard Patricia A. Thompson 5 Deb & Dave Jackson William Penn Foundation Town of Goffstown Colin & Alice Johannen Andrea & Thomas Wing Erwin & Jean Walker 5 John Kanter & Lori Sommer Carol Wolf Stephen Walker & Diane DeLuca Sheryl Kehas-Comeau & Richard Comeau Linda & Chip Young Guy Washburn & Laura Reiner Virginia Kilpack Julie Zebuhr & John Apostolos Chris & Katie Wells T Julie Kirklin & James Scott T Tracey L. Wells Greg Kreider David & Candy Woodbury

7 MEMBERS Curtis Lavoie Jon & Kaela Law $50+ Kathryn Layne Anonymous (6) Robert & Lee Le Comte John Barnett Andrea Lemieux Charles & Martine Bohnsack Eli Levine Dan Boschen James Lewis Pete & Lex Bundschuh Dianne & John Lomas Denise Buzzell Dwight & Heather Lovejoy Dennis Card & Maureen McCanty Mark MacLeod Jim Carmody Reed MacNeilage Arlon Chaffee Marilyn Magee 2005 PWA celebrates its 35th anniversary. Justin Clark Harry Malone & Priscilla Gould PWA Board Member John McCausland launches M Tyler Clements Jay & Dot Marden the “Walk in the Woods” public outing program. Raymond Cloutier Frederick Marius PWA’s volunteer water quality monitoring contin- William Coder Paul Martel ues in partnership with the NH DES Volunteer River Andrew Cohen Chester Masel Assessment Program. PWA’s watershed photo Stephen & Suzanne Covino Sarah McCluskey Granite United Way contest attracts 37 entries. PWA completes three Daniel & Shelley Dal Pra Carolyn Camille McGregor land projects during the year including the Kimberly G. DelGizzo Vicki Meagher SUPPORTERS 170-acre Sunderland easement in Henniker. Katherine & Dennis Duchesne 5 Samuel Miller Edwin Duer Stasia & Joe Millett Up to $49 Patricia & Thomas Edelmann Richard Murphy Anonymous (4) Andrew Eills Christine & Brian Nase Alan Abrams David Erikson & Karen Broemme David Nash Len & Meredeth Allen Kathy Evans Scott Novick Michael Amaral & Laurie Terwilliger Paul & Sandra Faber Jeffrey Orlin Roland Berube Merrill Friedman Keenan Pawley Violet Blake Mary Alice Fullerton Matt Polus H. Robert & Mary Frances Carey M Peter Gallagher Denise Poulin & Timothy Don & Sarah Chapman Christopher Gaughan Schloemer Fred & Neila Daggett GE Foundation Harry Puchacz Peter & Christine Dallas 2006 PWA launches the Legacy Society, Linda Gould 5 Joseph Py Heidi Dawidoff recognizing PWA members who make gifts of land Glynn & Anthony Graham 5 Ian Ramsey Helga DeGrandpre or make bequests though their estate plans. Marilyn Greenhalge Norman & Pauline Richard David & Anita-Marie Deifik Volunteer-led invasive species and wildlife tracking Paul & Chris Hague Leigh Robinson George Goodloe efforts continue to be a high priority. PWA Jim Halla & Jeanne Ann Whittington Lynn Robinson Cheryl & Joseph Hannaford Ann Harkleroad completes nine land protection projects including Karen & Michael Roy Rochelle Hebert 5 Nancy & John Herper the Rice and Rose Mountain Foothills Preserves Jessie Salisbury Jean Heinemann Susanne & Richard Holstein in Lyndeborough. Tom Schiele Kathleen Hoey Robert Hughes Kathy & Jeff Shartzer David & Carol Hulick Elizabeth Hunter Dorothy & Ralph Sidore Joseph & Patricia Kayal Michael Hurley Ivy Slater Konopka Leslie Jonas Chris Steele Kim & Mark Kouyoumjian Dr. Katie Kachavos M John & Catherine Steiger Reta M. MacGregor Dennis Keane Chris Stroili Daniel Murphy Sean Kellarson 2007 PWA completes a record eleven land pro- John Sumner Francie Murray Peter Kelley tection projects during the year, conserving a total Dr. Judith A. Surdam Patricia Myers & Carolyn Sheehan M Dave & Ruby Kent T Shannon Surdam John Pavoll of 998 acres, including an easement on the town Grant Killian Roger Swain PayPal Giving Fund of Weare’s 611-acre Eastman conservation area. Russ Killpartrick Elizabeth Sweetman Joanne & Walter Read Robert King Joan & Ed Tiffany Juliana Rowland 2008 Reflecting its growing focus on land pro- Steven King tection, PWA changes its name to the Piscataquog Jarett Tighe Shaw's Supermarket Douglas Kwan VMware Foundation Giving Tag Program Land Conservancy (PLC). After ten years of service David Lafferty Craig Webb April Teshima Margret Watkins steps down as Executive Director J. Marcel LaFlamme & Carol Swiech Heather Welch Joseph & Cora Trimbur and is succeeded by Eric Masterson. PLC completes Barbara Lagana Cynthia Wilson Jeannine & Patrick Tucker another ten conservation projects during the year, Randy Larrison Paul & Sharon Yergeau Pam Ward & Peter Payne including the Shirley and Welch easements that protect 178 acres in Goffstown. PLC’s land and easement holdings pass the 4,000-acre mark. 8 LAND PROJECTS SPECIAL GIFTS Christine Anderson Hobart-Fessenden Woods CE, Brookline Ansell & Anderson, P.A. (FY20 donations only) In memory of Ruth Tolf Ansell Cara Ferrentino Clayton & Pauline Brown The Nichols Trust In memory of Earl A Bullard, Jr. Town of Brookline Gail Coffey In honor of my son, Nicholas Coffey William Penn Foundation (Nissitissit River Headwaters Project) Matching Gift Program Judy Gross & Bob Merwin 2009 PLC holds its first Lobster by the River Nissitissit River Headwaters, Mason In memory of Gaius Merwin fundraising dinner at Parker’s Mill in New Boston. Gail Coffey Paul Hider & Regina Conrad The riverside lobster bake is the brainchild of PLC Katherine & Dennis Duchesne In honor of Veronica F. Conrad board member Bill “Tuck” Tucker. The event Linda Gould Dr. Richard Hockman becomes an annual tradition for the next decade In memory of Linda Moore Hockman Glynn & Anthony Graham (Founding member of Bedford Land Trust) (and counting). PLC ends the first decade of the Helen Grembowicz Elizabeth Hunter twenty-first century with 85 conservation properties Judy Gross & Bob Merwin In honor of Barbara DeVore totaling 4,734 acres. Rochelle Hebert (Nissitissit River Headwaters Land Project) Elizabeth Hunter Marilyn Magee 2010s John Kerrick In honor of John Magee with love from Dad and Meg Land and Community Heritage 2010 PLC celebrates its 40th anniversary. Investment Program (LCHIP) Nolan & Jaime Margo Paula Bellemore succeeds Eric Masterson as In memory of Craig Rochefort, who John Lewicke found peace in the Clark easements executive director. PLC completes three land proj- Mason Conservation Commission when visiting our home ects during the year including the Grant Family Harold Melcher Pat Pine Farm easement in Weare. Merrimack Conservation Partnership In memory of Tom Pine Bruce & Christine Nelson Georgia Stone Industries, Inc 2011 PLC closes its 90th land project, the David & Marcia Potter In memory of Randy Smith 129-acre Blackbriar Woods Preserve in Goffstown. Georgia Stone Industries, Inc (Nissitissit River Headwaters project) Amy Shakow Joanne & Walter Read 2012 PLC hires Allison Gillum as the organiza- State of New Hampshire In memory of my sister Janice Aquatic Resources Mitigation Fund (ARM) Gary & Patty Samuels tion’s first land protection specialist. PLC protects Marion Stoddart In honor of Arthur Walmsley three new properties, including the Craney Pond Davis Conservation Foundation Dorothy & Ralph Sidore and Colby Little Brook easements in Henniker and In honor of Jimmy Shirley Rick Van de Poll Chevy Hill Forest in Weare. Ecosystem Management Consultants of NE Patricia A. Thompson In memory of Bill Thompson Carol Wolf Ellen Townes-Anderson & Craig Anderson In memory of Charles and Frances Townes BUSINESS SPONSORS 44Bikes Co. Airmar Technology Corporation T Ansell & Anderson, P.A. SUSTAINING SUPPORTER (Has a monthly contribution Curbstone Financial Management Corporation with automatic payment) Dodge Stores M LIFETIME PLC MEMBER Ecosystem Management Consultants of NE (Donated a conservation 2013 At PLC’s 43rd annual meeting, Carol Hess Georgia Stone Industries, Inc easement to PLC) is recognized for a cumulative thirty years of service Mark Dunn Law Office p PISCATAQUOG LEGACY on PWA/PLC board. Jed Callen receives PLC’s Monadnock Tent & Event SOCIETY MEMBER New Boston Bookkeeping & Payroll (Has donated land to PLC volunteer of the year award for more than twenty or included PLC in their years of service as a member, board member, and Northeast Café estate plans) PayPal Giving Fund pro bono legal counsel. PLC completes five new 5 RiverStone Resources LLC DONATED TO LAND PROJECTS land protection projects during the year, and the Shaw's Supermarket - Giving Tag Program Walk in the Woods program leads a dozen public Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA walks attended by more than 200 people. Donna Steve's School Bus Service, Inc. Seidel joins PLC as its administrative coordinator. Summit Computer Services Weber Stave Design, LLC Special thanks to Summit Computer Services for their incredible IT and Website support!

9 $1.5 million. Until now the land was not 2014 Continuing its longtime partnership with subject to any easement or other outside the Francestown Land Trust, PLC protects its 100th restriction that guaranteed its permanent property, the Brennan Falls Preserve. The project protection. The conservation easement brings PLC land and easement holdings to 6,002 held by PLC ensures the public’s invest- ment is protected in perpetuity, and that acres. After more than a decade with PLC, Paula a future town vote cannot change the Bellemore leaves for a new position with the state’s land’s open space status. LCHIP program, and Chris Wells is hired as PLC’s Executive Director. Tom Jones also arrives as PLC’s Drew Kellner, a Brookline Selectman new Land Protection Specialist, and Chris Borg as and longtime Conservation Commission PLC’s first permanent part-time Stewardship member, says "we are delighted to close Coordinator. PLC completes a new strategic conser- our third project with PLC and after a catching our breath I'm sure we'll be vation plan with expert help from Dan Sundquist. looking towards the next one. Now more than ever people are appreciating the 2015 PLC expands its service area to eleven PLC and Brookline need for conserved open spaces to get additional towns in the Souhegan and Nashua away from the stress that life often throws River watersheds. After two simultaneous fundrais- Finalize Easement on at them. It is our duty to ensure that those ing campaigns, PLC purchases the 189-acre Rose Hobart-Fessenden open spaces will be available now and for Mountain Preserve in Lyndeborough, and the 101- generations to come." acre Black Brook Preserve in Goffstown. PLC holds Woods Hobart-Fessenden Woods features gently the first Rose Mountain Rumble cycling event in rolling forest, over two and half miles of Lyndeborough. PLC’s program of volunteer-led streams, and more than fifty acres of wet- public outings expands. ulminating two years of effort, in early lands. Public recreation is encouraged via June the Town of Brookline donated a an extensive trail system used for hiking, Cconservation easement on 439 acres of trail running, bicycling, and snowmobil- town-owned conservation land to the ing. When combined with abutting lands Piscataquog Land Conservancy. Known to local held by the Beaver Brook Association, residents as Hobart-Fessenden Woods, the Hobart-Fessenden Woods is part of a land had been acquired by Brookline piece by thousand-acre area in Brookline and Hollis piece over a period of years, at a total cost of that is unbroken by roads or development.

2016 PLC completes the Finke easement in Goffstown and Rand Brook Floodplain easement in BOARD OF Francestown. PLC teams up with New Hampshire TRUSTEES COMMITTEES Fish & Game for a stream habitat improvement CHAIR DEVELOPMENT & KEEPING TRACK Jim Shirley OUTREACH COMMITTEE COORDINATOR project at the Rose Mountain Foothills and Rice Marilyn Taylor, Chair VICE CHAIR Barbara Thomson Preserves in Lyndeborough. Aaron Gill Joslin Bennett LAND PROTECTION John McCausland TREASURER Gary Samuels, Chair Joshua Young Joshua Young Ben Haubrich PLC OFFICE FINANCE John McCausland 603.487.3331 SECRETARY Mike Boyko Joshua Young, Chair Kevin Pobst PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Aaron Gill Doug Powers Chris Wells TRUSTEES Fred Hayes Dennis Sawyer Jordan Bailey Bill Tucker Mike Thomas LAND PROTECTION SPECIALIST Joslin Bennett Tom Jones Eugene Van Loan Dave Butler STEWARDSHIP DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Rita Carroll GOVERNANCE Mike Boyko, Chair Donna Seidel Ben Haubrich Aaron Gill, Chair Jordan Bailey STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR Doug Powers Mike Boyko Joslin Bennet Hailey Nase Gary Samuels Jim Shirley Dave Butler Marilyn Taylor Josh Young Matt Caron 2017 PLC takes ownership of the 332-acre NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mike Thomas Invasive Species Paul Doscher Chris Wells Florence Tarr Wildlife Sanctuary in Bedford and Eugene Van Loan Coordinators Carrie Finke Lyn Lombard Steve Walker Goffstown. PLC purchases the 106-acre Proctor pre- NEWSLETTER DESIGN Weber Stave Design DIRECTORS EMERITI Hannah Proctor serve in Lyndeborough and completes the 88-acre Randy Parker Nissitissit River easement in Brookline, its first Gordon Russell partnership with an “expansion” town. Capping Robert Todd The Piscataquog Land Conservancy (PLC) is a 501(c)(3) Margaret Watkins more than a year of intense effort, PLC is awarded registered in the State of New Hampshire. Our federal tax ID number is 23-7085677. Information regarding national Land Trust Accreditation. Jordan Bailey LEGAL COUNSEL BCM Environmental the PLC, including our recent financial reports and tax starts as the Stewardship Coordinator. Just before & Land Law filings, is readily available upon request. 10 and stories would be listened to, many 50TH ANNIVERSARY ESSAY remembered. Unknown at those times, the wildness of the watershed found a home within the boy, along with unfor- gettable encounters of its wildlife, high hills, and low mountains. A day came in 1969 when a few New Boston residents wanted to meet to discuss ways to protect land along the river’s South Branch. Thirty-one years had elapsed since the ’38 washed away parts of a railroad bed, where Boston and Maine Co. trains served New Boston. That rail bed bordered a picturesque few mile of highway along the river between New Boston and Goffstown, and the corridor of land there was under threat of development.

A Reminiscence From that invitation, the man joined other the first snow of the season, twelve hardy volun- caring folks who knew how important it teers and a semi-retired draft horse named Fannie was to keep the beauty and integrity of Mae install long-promised gates at the Rose About a the river intact. An official group was formed, thus the Piscataquog Watershed Mountain Preserve. River Association came to be in 1970, only the 2018 2nd such group in NH. As a PWA member PLC begins its first-ever timber harvest and teacher in local schools, the water- at the Tuthill Woodlands Preserve in New Boston. Anonymous shed played a major role in what he The Board of Trustees adopt a new 5-year strategic shared with students in his ‘nature’ plan for the organization. Volunteers plant native n the year 1938, a lad of nine years had his classrooms. Atlantic Salmon eggs were plants along Cold Brook at PLC’s Proctor Preserve. eyes, ears, and impressionable mind frightened hatched, their life-story learned, living PLC launches an ambitious fundraising campaign Iand humbled by a river that was raging just fry were released into the river. A to purchase a 205-acre working woodland in Weare. outside his home. That storm of wind and water touching connection to three stories would earn a permanent place in New England weather records: The Hurricane and Flood of From his bed, the boy could feel 1938. With both dangers increasing outside, his the earth under his house shake as parents were getting ready to move. Who could the powerful river rolled great have known that the river would play a major role boulders downstream that in their son’s life for the next eighty-plus years? thumped against bedrock... The North Branch of the Piscataquog River During that historic storm, 2019 PLC successfully completes the became dangerously angry in September of that fundraising to acquire the property in Weare, which the name Piscataquog River found year. An equally ominous and powerful hurricane becomes the Bob French Woodlands Preserve. co-partnered with the roiling waters. In the late a permanent place for itself in a The organization also completes the Jennings afternoon melee, about 6:00 o’clock, a giant young boy’s impressionable mind. easement in Goffstown and Houghton acquisition elm tree crashed into a shed, killing his pet pig. – a clean river, a tiny fish, (albeit one with in New Boston. The NH Charitable Foundation Electricity had long been severed. His father a doubtful future), and the hearts of the makes multi-year operating grant to PLC. Hailey said, “Go to bed.” A couple of sleepless hours youth who nurtured them with love and Nase joins PLC as Stewardship Coordinator, and later, the rising river waters had filled the cellar. innocent hope. From his bed, the boy could feel the earth under goes full-time in January 2020. his house shake as the powerful river rolled great After retiring from teaching in 1978, 2020 So far…at midnight on January 1st, boulders downstream that thumped against bed- much time, as measured in years, was the Bedford Land Trust merges into PLC, adding rock. With the screaming winds and flooding given to working on behalf of the fourteen properties totaling 704 acres to PLC’s water, deep impressions of Nature’s powers were PWA’s mission. Protecting watershed fused in the frightened lad’s body. During that land became the priority. Working with stewardship. In March, Covid-19 pandemic causes historic storm, the name Piscataquog River found landowners, knowing the watershed’s PLC staff to begin working from home. In June a permanent place for itself in a young boy’s areas of rich biodiversity became a sense PLC completes the 439-acre Hobart-Fessenden impressionable mind. of responsibility. conservation easement with the town of Brookline and purchases the 267-acre Nissitissit Headwaters High school days found the teenager engrossed in Now an old man, the wonders and endless Preserve in Mason. At the 50-year mark PLC owns being a brook explorer, his curious mind intrigued experiences, and fellowships felt as a by old mill foundations; what stories were they contributing watershed member, can or holds conservation easements on 128 properties hiding? Who built them? Exactly where did the only be described in terms of a life well totaling 8,717 acres. brook begin? Often landowners would be met, given, with much gifted. 11 5A Mill Street, New Boston, New Hampshire 03070 603.487.3331 | www.plcnh.org | [email protected]

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Upcoming Outings & Events Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, PLC has not yet scheduled any public outings for the fall of 2020. Depending on how state health data and guidance evolves, we may still schedule outings on a month to month basis, so watch our e-newsletter and website for updates. To subscribe to our e-news. Just click the “join our mailing list” button at the bottom of our website www.plcnh.org.

October 24 | PLC’s 50th Annual Meeting The meeting will take place from 5:00-6:30 PM via Zoom teleconference. Register online at www.plcnh.org.

FALL | WINTER VOLUME 32, NO.2 2020 Piscataquog News

THE PISCATAQUOG LAND CONSERVANCY NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

From Small Beginnings Page 2

PLC’s 50th Annual Meeting Goes Virtual Page 2

PLC Easement Will Protect New Boston Town Forests Page 3

Nissitissit Headwaters Project Completed Page 4

A Family Tradition Page 5

FY20 Donor Honor Roll Pages 6-9 SPECIAL PLC and Brookline Finalize Easement Page 10 50th Anniversary A Reminiscence About a River Page 11 EDITION

To conserve the natural and scenic landscapes of the Piscataquog, Souhegan, and Nashua River watersheds of New Hampshire. 12 PLC