The Hanover Conservancy has been following the proposals by Dartmouth College to develop a new campus on Lyme Road, north of the traditional campus, on its former golf course land. Concerns about challenging soils and drainage conditions, along with the proximity of Pine Park and the already-impaired Girl Brook, have led our organization to offer this comment.
Read HC letter to The Town regarding Concerns with North Campus
Photos (by Hanover Conservancy board and staff)
Hanover Conservancy and Town of Hanover volunteers lent a hand to help our neighbors, Pine Park Association, install a new kiosk at the entrance to Pine Park. We had loads of fun using the electric post-hole digger!
Much is afoot at Hanover’s oldest conservation area, and trail builders are asking for eager feet to help “break in” some new trails. In the park’s interior, volunteers are clearing two east-west connector trails between the River Trail and the Cathedral Trail, where foot traffic would help harden the treadway. So, if you are in Pine Park, check out these new connectors and help establish them as part of the trail network.
Work has also started (photo) on the accessibility trail from the former clubhouse. Avoid this trail until it’s ready but enjoy seeing the progress.
Mink Brook Log Crossing status as of August 1st, 2022
You may recall that we were planning for its replacement well before advancing rot forced us to close it last summer, starting with research into what kind of structure would conform to the restrictions in our deed. The above-mentioned erosion meant we needed longer, stronger logs than the trees growing there could provide, so we can’t just replace the log. Our terrific team of Thayer engineering students developed a well-considered plan for a new crossing in the same place, and we’ve been working since March to secure approvals from key stakeholders.
To that end, our volunteers are wandering around the Preserve interviewing visitors (again) to learn more about how and where they enjoy the land, so we can share that information with those decision-makers. We hope to have good news soon!
We are working with the landowners and the Town’s Trails Committee to focus use and maintenance on the best connections and close some lesser-used, duplicate trails. Volunteer-led trail work made great strides in Fall, 2021 and will resume in Spring, 2022. We’ve updated our map to show new routes and those no longer open on the central and southern part of the mountain. We hope this helps while you’re out on the trails this winter!
Download the Winter 2022 interim trail map here
Please note that these trails are maintained by volunteers. While some trails traverse lands managed by the Hanover Conservation Commission or protected by the Hanover Conservancy, many paths cross privately-owned lands that are not conserved. Please do your part to keep these trails open by respecting these generous landowners and treating their property as you would your own.
Trees give us many gifts – clean air and water, places to recreate, wildlife habitat…and carbon storage. Restoring trees to the landscape is the single best low-tech, low-cost pathway for storing more carbon on the land. A forest can store an average of 2-3 tons/acre of C02 each year. With just a will and a spade, we can get started pulling carbon from the air right now.
A NATURAL CARBON SINK – To prevent the most dangerous impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must reach net zero by 2050. Capturing carbon from the air naturally – by putting trees to work – can provide significant cumulative carbon removal through 2050 and beyond.
When choosing a tree for your home landscape, consider this:
We suggest Northern Red Oak — Acorns attract wildlife and the leaves develop a brick-red fall color. Red oak is fast growing, easy to transplant, and tolerant of urban conditions (including dry and acidic soil and air pollution). Best growth is in full sun and well drained, slightly acidic, sandy loam. Northern red oak often reaches 60-90’ and occasionally 150’. Trees may live up to 500 years.
A colorful alternative for damp soils is Red Maple — the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. Known for its early brilliant fall foliage and red flowers, it is usually found in moist woodlands and wet swamps in sun or part shade. A medium-sized, fast-growing tree (2-5’/yr), its seeds and buds are eaten by birds and mammals, but it is not preferred by deer.
