Name: 8th Annual Trails Challege
Start: 2021-06-01T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2021-09-25T23:59:59-04:00

Love of Nature Trail Adventure

March 22, 2021

A big-hearted thanks to all those who tried the Hanover Conservancy “Love of Nature Trail Adventure” this winter. You demonstrated how much you Love Nature!

More than 225 folks downloaded a handout or picked one up from the trailhead kiosks, and the 60 tree cookies, decorated by children in the Kids-After-School-Time program, lasted a full month despite some very blustery conditions. If you completed the hikes and deciphered the messages but did not yet request a sticker, email info@hanoverconservancy.org.

Answers to the coded messages from each trail:

Mink Brook Nature Preserve: Go green and drink clean
Balch Hill Natural Area: Breathe in & thank a tree
Hayes Farm Park and King Bird Sanctuary: Adopt the pace of nature [:her secret is patience. – Ralph Waldo Emerson]

Stay tuned for more fun adventures and challenges this spring and summer!

Black Bear Loop Hike

March 12, 2021

We had a fantastic group for our first guided hike at the Britton Forest’s new trail, the Black Bear Loop. Thanks to all who joined!

Powder Pop-up! Feb. 6 Snowshoe at Huntington Hill

February 3, 2021

Join leader Gail McPeek this Saturday, February 6th, from 1-3 for a pop-up snowshoe hike on Huntington Hill, limited to 9 participants. Registration is required, please sign up here! Registrants will receive an email with the meeting location.

Snowshoes available to borrow. Masks required- please BYO. The route has no steep slopes, but with this fresh, deep snow, the hike will likely be moderately strenuous.

Limited guided hikes at the future Mink Brook Community Forest

September 10, 2020

Join the Town of Hanover and the Hanover Conservancy this fall for a limited series of guided hikes at the future Mink Brook Community Forest on Greensboro Road. Hikes will be offered every Tuesday between September 15th and October 13th, with rain dates on Thursdays. Strenuous, off-trail hikes will alternate to the north and south parcels each week at 9 a.m., with a gentle meadow walk every week at noon.

Note: No public access is permitted outside of the scheduled guided walks.

Pre-registration required; group size limited to 10 people (leader plus 9).

Learn more and register here.

Spring Trips Postponed

April 17, 2020

We’re disappointed to postpone our trips until we can safely get together again. Look for a new self-guided Hike of the Month in our May e-news.

If you’re headed out, please remember:

Enjoy your companions from a distance
Leash your dog – uncontrolled dog meetups can make things unsafe for their owners too
If a trailhead parking is full when you arrive, have a Plan B for a trail less traveled
Leave higher elevation and muddy trails until they’ve dried out
The Appalachian Trail is closed for now

Norman Overlook at Mink Brook

September 25, 2019

In 1999, Bob led the Council’s effort to protect the 112-acre Mink Brook Nature Preserve, then slated to become a 32-lot subdivision. In 2019, the 20th anniversary of that daunting and ultimately successful project, the Conservancy dedicated the Norman Overlook to Bob and his vision for our community.