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Wild Brook Trout at Mink Brook

July 13, 2011

The Mink Brook watershed, Hanover’s largest, harbors healthy populations of wild brook trout, even in some of its smallest tributaries. Fisheries biologists from New Hampshire’s Fish and Game Department, working with volunteers from Trout Unlimited, the Conservancy’s Mink Brook Stewardship Committee, and Hanover students conducted a thorough study of the Mink Brook watershed in July, 2011.

The study is part of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, a region-wide effort looking at habitat for wild brook trout. At Mink Brook, biologists examined details of each section’s habitat characteristics, measured water temperature, and recorded the length, weight, and species of each fish captured. Fish were “borrowed” from the water by electro-fishing – a wand sending a weak electric current through the water temporarily stuns the fish, which can then be scooped up with a net and transferred to a bucket for study. All fish were returned to the brook after their brief examination.

Mink Brook is among the streams under study by Dartmouth for survival of young Atlantic salmon, and a number of young salmon turned up.

Celebration at the King Bird Sanctuary

June 30, 2011

The Nan & Allen King Bird Sanctuary at Hayes Farm Park

close-up of cranberry bush flowers — American cranberry bush flowers at the new King Bird Sanctuary

The Hanover Conservation Council is pleased to announce our newest project, honoring the memory of two prominent Hanover conservationists and Council members, Nan and Allen King. Located on the beautiful Upper Meadow of the town’s newly acquired Hayes Farm Park, the King Sanctuary includes an extensive demonstration planting of native trees and shrubs.

A trail from the Etna Library leads to the Upper Meadow and will eventually allow visitors to explore the entire property and the town’s adjacent Trescott Ridge Wetlands. The Council and the town’s Conservation Commission have partnered to create this sanctuary to benefit Etna Village.

Nancy-Collier-in-action — Removing invasives before planting

Preparing the Upper Meadow for planting required removal of a major infestation of invasive plants, including barberry, honeysuckle, and glossy buckthorn. Council volunteers worked with the crew of E. C. Brown’s Nursery to remove the brush before the plantings were installed.

Dominating the crest of the knoll is a stone bench, created from a glacial boulder by sculptor Chance Anderson of Canterbury, NH. Two smaller seats nearby, formed of a single stone cut in half, carry inset illustrations of a kingbird and a chickadee.

Over 60 people joined the Council at the Etna Library for a celebration of the Kings’ life and the opening of the sanctuary on June 30. The Council thanks the many volunteers who have helped with this project, especially neighbors Ken and Norma Pelton and Jay and Susan Pierson.

The Council will soon publish a guide to the plantings to help visitors learn more about the wildlife benefits and year-round ornamental values of these native plants.

Trails Day at Mink Brook

June 4, 2011

For Trails Day this year, the Hanover Conservation Commission Trails Committee and the Hanover Conservation Council joined together to cut a new trail section in Mink Brook. This trail connects the trail head at the gate at Brook Road to the town trails closer to the Connecticut River. With the new connecting link, it will be possible to walk along Mink Brook, without going on Brook Road.

Eleven volunteers helped work on the new trail, which took about 2 hours to clear. One of the interesting challenges were the numerous hanging vines, some of which were strong enough to swing on. There was also a lot of underlying brush that had to be dragged out.

We hope that the new trail proves popular and useful.

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Balch Hill Kite Day

May 14, 2011

Even though it was a gloomy day, about 10 families gathered on Saturday afternoon to fly some kites. At first, it was necessary to do a lot of running. But eventually enough wind picked up so that a number of kites got up quite high. The Council provided plenty of snacks and drinks, much appreciated by the younger crowd. Fortunately the rain held off, until after the end of the event.

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Position Letter on Water Works Municipalization

October 22, 2009

(also available in PDF format)

October 22, 2009

Dear Council Members and Supporters:

There is an important community discussion taking place that may impact one of the largest, undeveloped and ecologically significant tracts remaining in Hanover – the watershed land surrounding the Hanover Water Works Company. At recent public meetings, the community has expressed keen interest in this land, its protection, and in potential public use. The Council has long advocated for the protection of this land, with consideration of passive public use.

We support the vision in the Hanover Master Plan and Open Space Priorities Plan for greater protection of the Water Company lands. The 1400 acres of watershed land feed the surrounding drinking water reservoirs. Based on size and location, the land supports well-managed forests, prime wildlife habitat, and excellent agricultural soils. It offers crucial connectivity between Lords Hill, Oak Hill and the Appalachian Trail.

The Hanover Conservation Council is concerned that there is not adequate long-term protection of the essential watershed lands against future development.

There are no federal level regulations that protect the land
There are limited state-level statutes which, at most, provide protection up to 250 from the reservoir shorelines.
The local zoning is not permanent and is not the most restrictive. The “forestry and recreation” zoning allows seasonal dwellings and only needs a town vote to be reversed into a zoning category which could lead to the development of the land.

Therefore, while we consider the proposed 50/50 ownership structure of the new land holding company an improvement over the current structure, we believe more needs to be done to achieve long-term conservation of this land and water resource for our town.

We wanted to let you know that following the town vote to consider municipalization of the Water Company, the Council will continue to actively work to bring together community representatives in hopes of beginning to facilitate a long range plan for the future conservation of this land. Our goals will be to increase our collective knowledge and understanding, and to encourage community dialogue about future conservation options and public uses. The findings will be open for public discussion and will help guide sound decision-making for the future of the watershed lands.

We urge you to join us in advocating for the long-term permanent protection of this critically important land.

Sincerely

Betsy McGean
President

Gail McPeek
Lands Committee Chair

Mink Brook Bridge Celebration

October 1, 2009

To celebrate the new bridge over Mink Brook, the Council hosted a celebration at the bridge crossing.

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