Hanover Conservancy

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Love of Nature Trail Adventure

Love of Nature stickerA 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!

Mink Brook Community Forest PROTECTED!

We are thrilled to announce that the 250-acre Mink Brook Community Forest (formerly owned by the Leavitt family) off Greensboro Road is now permanently protected and open to the public! An entire generation of conservationists worked to make this project happen: read the full press release here. 

This couldn’t have happened without The Town of Hanover and the Trust for Public Lands working in tandem with generous local donors- thank you all! The Mink Brook Community Forest belongs to the Town of Hanover and will be managed for sustainable forestry, low-impact recreation and biodiversity.

The land is now open to the public. Keep an eye out for guided hikes to the property, to be announced soon!

 

Trail improvements planned for Moose Mountain

Many trails on Moose Mountain were originally created as ski trails, and aren’t well-suited for year-round hiking. We are working with the landowners and the Town’s Trails Committee on a master plan for this area that will close some lesser-used, duplicate trails and will focus more attention and maintenance on the best connections. Volunteer-led trail work is expected to start in late spring of 2021. In the meantime, we’ve created a map that includes the trails to be closed as well as those that will be improved and better signed. We hope this helps while you’re out on the trails this winter!

View the Winter 2021 interim trail map here.

BIG News for the Mink Brook Community Forest!

This conservation project is a real winner, landing Hanover’s first LCHIP grant – $200,000 from the NH Land & Community Heritage Investment Program! This means fund-raising is now complete, thanks to generous support from the Hanover community, which attracted the support of LCHIP, the US Forest Service, and more. Any extra funds raised will go to help the Town care for the property – build trails and trailheads, deal with invasives, mowing, and more.

What do YOU think the future of this place should be? Share your ideas in this survey. Zoom in to the final community meeting on Dec. 2, when Julie Evans of the Northern Forest Center will lead a discussion on conservation, forest management, and recreation priorities.  Recordings of past meetings and more info HERE.

50 Days for 50 Years at Balch Hill

Did you know that Balch Hill nearly became the site of over 100 homes? Fifty years ago, the Hanover Conservancy led a group of concerned neighbors to raise the funds to purchase and protect the summit of this iconic place.

Over the last half century, the Balch Hill Natural Area has grown with more lands owned by the Conservancy, Town of Hanover, and Dartmouth College, and managed by a volunteer neighborhood stewardship committee with support from Town and Conservancy staff.

On August 1st, we are launching a 50 day fundraising campaign for the Balch Hill Stewardship Fund, ensuring that this beloved property will be maintained for the next 50 years! Please consider making a gift today. Your donation will support trail maintenance, mowing, invasive plant treatment, sign replacement and many other projects at the hill.

71 Lyme Road
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-3433

info@hanoverconservancy.org

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