Fall 2016 THE LEGACY For All Those Who Love the Lakes Region of New Hampshire View of Fogg Hill Overlooking the Snake River—Bernie Volz Photo Fogg Hill Conservation Area— Bigger and Better LRCT is proud to announce the expansion of LRCT’s Fogg Hill Conservation Area in West Center Harbor, through the purchase of a 43-acre parcel on Piper Hill Road. The newly acquired parcel encompasses woodland and wetland habitat and 1,250 feet of shoreline on Bear Pond and is the site of a new trailhead parking area providing access to all of the Fogg Hill trails. LRCT’s first Fogg Hill property was acquired in 2013, and the new property Headwaters of the Suncook River—Peggy MerrittƩPhoto brings the size of the Conservation Area to 235 acres. The Fogg Hill Conservation Area forms a significant part Another Conservation Success of a nearly 1,000-acre unfragmented forest block north of in the Belknaps Lake Waukewan, the largest roadless area in Center Harbor. This area is vitally important for its rich wildlife habitat, for Thanks to the foresight and commitment of nearby landowners, protecting pristine waters used for recreation and drinking water LRCT has added 88 acres north of Guinea Ridge Road in supplies, and for providing opportunities for recreation, nature Gilmanton to the expansive conserved lands in and around the observation, and education for residents and visitors. Belknap Mountain Range. This parcel contains what was the last unprotected portion of a significant wetland and stream LRCT acquired this new parcel with tremendous support from system that is part of the headwaters of the Suncook River. families and organizations in the community and surrounding towns, including from the Town of Center Harbor Conservation Approximately one-third of the parcel is classified as highest Fund. The Town will hold a conservation easement on the ranked habitat in the state under the NH Wildlife Action Plan. property, as it does on the original Fogg Hill parcel. LRCT is very This property had long been a conservation priority for LRCT grateful to the former landowners, Jim and Angie Bascom, for and the Belknap Range Conservation Coalition (BRCC), and working with us to make this project possible and to all who have the project was made possible through LRCT’s partnership with worked on and supported the efforts to conserve this important Marilyn and Michael Fenollosa and Nancy Rendall. When the land for future generations. land was in danger of being sold for development, the Fenollosas For more information on the Fogg Hill Conservation Area, please generously stepped forward to acquire and hold it for more than visit LRCT’s website (lrct.org/explorelearn/places-to-visit). You a year until funding for LRCT’s acquisition could be secured. can see photos of LRCT’s recent celebration of this conservation Nancy Rendall donated professional services for project planning project on our Facebook page. and wetlands assessment needed to obtain grant funding for the project, and the effort came to a successful conclusion when LRCT received the necessary grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund. We are very grateful to the Fenollosas and Nancy Rendall for their generosity and dedication to the success of this project, as well as to the ARM Fund for its support. LRCT’s acquisition of this key parcel builds on recent conservation achievements involving LRCT, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, BRCC, and others committed to conservation of the extraordinary scenic, natural, recreational, and historical resources of the Belknaps. View of Bear Pond Wetlands—Bernie Volz Photo Reflections The Lakes Region Conservation Trust was founded in 1979 to conserve the natural heritage of New ach year around this time, as we review all the work that has been Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Our conservation E accomplished on LRCT’s conserved lands over the spring, summer, and stewardship work preserves community and early fall, we are thankful once again for the dedicated service of the character, conserves critical wildlife habitat and diverse ecosystems, protects natural landmarks and volunteers who help us care for these properties. scenic landscapes, and provides outdoor recreation While acquiring new land is the opportunities for people of all ages. most visible and exciting work Lakes Region Conservation Trust Together with our dedicated community of supporters, that a land trust does, stewardship we have conserved more than 140 properties totaling Conserving the Natural Heritage of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. of the conserved lands is equally over 24,000 acres. These conserved lands encompass important, so that they continue many of the special places that define our unique and to provide valuable habitat, water spectacular part of New England, affording everyone 2015 ANNUAL REPORT quality protection, scenic beauty, abundant opportunities to explore and connect and places for recreation, learning, with the natural world and establishing a legacy of and reflection—in perpetuity. conservation for future generations. The Whippers and Loppers Monitoring the land and conservation easements, building TRUSTEES and maintaining trails and viewpoints and bridges and docks, and dozens Margaret V. Merritt, Chair (Sandwich) of other tasks have to be done faithfully year after year. LRCT’s volunteers Russell J. Wilder, Vice Chair (Alton) contribute thousands of hours annually to help us get this work done. Philip Preston, Secretary (Ashland) Earlier this summer, we recognized and celebrated the service and Thomas R. Crane, Jr., Treasurer (Meredith) accomplishments of LRCT Trustee Larry DeGeorge, who stepped down after Donald S. Berry, President (Tuftonboro) 11 years in one of LRCT’s most important stewardship volunteer roles— Richard H. Beyer (Hebron) Property Adopter for LRCT’s largest and most visited property, the Castle in Rhys V. Bowen (Moultonborough) the Clouds Conservation Area. Larry has worked tirelessly, with tremendous Woolsey S. Conover (Holderness) skill and energy, carefully watching over the Castle property and its miles of Lawrence J. DeGeorge (Tuftonboro) carriage roads and trails on a nearly daily basis, organizing and overseeing Jonathan D. Halsey (Center Harbor) volunteer work days, coordinating the trail signage system, assisting with John G. Merselis, Jr. (Meredith) mapping and outreach, inspiring a whole group of dedicated trail adopters Muriel S. Robinette (Sanbornton, Tuftonboro) and other volunteers known as the “Whippers and Loppers”, and much more. Cynthia K. Stanton (Moultonborough) The contributions and commitment of LRCT’s volunteers are an inspiration Kathleen A. Starke (Sandwich) to us all. As we head toward the close of the year, we look back with gratitude David F. White (Sandwich) on all that has been accomplished thanks to this dedicated support system on STAFF which we depend. To LRCT volunteers past, present, and future, we say thank you, thank you, thank you! We couldn’t do it without you. Donald S. Berry, President (Tuftonboro) Christine G. Luke, Development Director (Laconia) David R. Mallard, Land and Stewardship Sincerely, Director (Sandwich) Erin C. Mastine, Communications and Administrative Coordinator (Gilford) Lisetta J. Silvestri, Operations Director (Holderness) Don Berry President Welcome Back! We are pleased and proud to welcome Woolsey Conover of Holderness and Tony Halsey of Center Harbor back to the LRCT Board of Trustees. Both were subject to term limits when their previous Board terms ended in July 2014, and they were re-elected to the Board as soon as they became eligible again in July 2016. Woolsey and Tony have provided many years of enthusiastic and dedicated service to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, and we couldn’t be happier to have them back. “I am very pleased to be rejoining the Board of Trustees of LRCT, an organization that continues to lead the way in conserving and protecting our region’s most precious and important natural resources. This work is personally important to me, as it has been to my family for several generations.” ~ Woolsey Conover “I’m proud and excited to be able to again participate in the important work of this organization. The conservation of iconic Lakes Region properties for the enjoyment of all is essential to the cultural fabric of our community.” ~ Tony Halsey Lakes Region Conservation Trust Conserving the Natural Heritage of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT THANK YOU! During LRCT’s most recent fiscal year, YOU, our members and volunteers, made tremendously generous contributions of your financial resources, time, talents, and enthusiasm to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. We are proud and grateful to present in this report the results of your investment in LRCT. Your support has made it possible for LRCT—through our land conservation projects, land stewardship work, and outreach and community activities—to conserve more wildlife and plant habitat, protect precious water quality, preserve scenic landscapes and community character, and provide recreational and learning opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of people of all ages now and in the future. Congratulations on the great work you have helped LRCT to accomplish! 3 Lakes Region Conservation Trust 2015 Highlights Outreach and Community • Guided snowshoe hike at the Red Hill Conservation Area, Moultonborough • Guided snowshoe hike at the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area, Moultonborough • Guided snowshoe hike at the Sewall Woods Conservation