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Mink Brook log crossing repair

April 17, 2023

Have you been looking forward to the day when it might once again be safe to cross the brook at the Mink Brook Nature Preserve? We’re happy to report that, thanks to terrific partners, that day is now many steps closer! Dartmouth has generously offered a tall, sturdy tree that happened to be in the path of ski trail improvements at Oak Hill – a welcome gift that follows the college’s major contribution that saved the 112-acre Preserve from becoming a 32-lot subdivision in 1999. As this moves forward, three imperatives guide the project: protecting the ecological integrity of Mink Brook and its banks, safety for everyone who walks the trails at the Preserve, and of course, respect for the Native community.

Throughout the quarter century we have held and managed the Mink Brook Nature Preserve, we have been mindful of its significance to the Abenaki and understand that this, like other places we have protected, is unceded land. Throughout the process of determining how to restore a safe crossing of the brook, we have sought out and conferred with Native voices, with many hours in consultation about how we might move forward in a respectful way. It is our goal to steward the lands in our care in a way that is both consistent with Native values and helps our community appreciate these places.

Among these values is respect for nature. The need to protect streambanks from damage by too many eager feet has added urgency to our replacement project. Directing those unstoppable feet to one carefully selected spot, away from soft soils and onto a stable surface, will keep sediment out of the water and allow the streambank to re-vegetate naturally. Making the crossing safe – for feet large and small – is an equally important goal.

Program Coordinator Myrilla Hartkopf with the standing tree at Oak Hill, shortly before it was felled.

Why a white pine from Oak Hill? Given the recent history of the Preserve as farmland, it isn’t surprising that the trees growing there today aren’t yet tall and strong enough to provide a safe crossing over the Hurricane Irene-widened channel, so we had to look elsewhere to replace the log. To our surprise, a call to our foresters soon revealed the big tree that was slated to come down within weeks, conveniently close to the log landing. The project led by Friends of Oak Hill will result in a new, community-pleasing role for this tree now that its shade-giving, carbon-storing, bird-harboring days are done. Thanks to Forester Jeff Smith at Upper Valley Forestry for identifying the tree. (And yes, we really did think about floating a toppled pine from Pine Park down the Connecticut River and up the brook).

Many hands are making light work of this heavy lift. In addition to Dartmouth, our friends at Liberty Utilities are pitching in to bring the log to the Preserve. Hanover’s Public Works and Police departments are supporting the move.  Chippers, a long-time business friend, will help pull it into position. The Upper Valley Trails Alliance, a regular Conservancy partner, will remove the deteriorated log and guide volunteers in preparing the fresh log for its new role.

We want to thank the talented team of students and faculty at Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering who worked through the 2021-22 year to design a clever and attractive suspension footbridge. While we were not able to use their proposed design, they helped us learn even more about our community’s hopes and affection for the Preserve.

We will update this page regularly as our project proceeds. When it’s time for volunteers to pitch in, we’ll let you know! Thanks to all of our partners who are helping the Hanover Conservancy to restore our beloved log bridge.

Filed Under: Conservation, Featured, Lands, Mink Brook, Partnerships, Stewardship, Uncategorized Tagged With: log crossing, Mink Brook, Mink Brook log crossing, Mink Brook Nature Preserve

Mink Brook Log Crossing Update

August 1, 2022

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!

Filed Under: Lands, Media, Mink Brook, Stewardship, Trails Tagged With: bridge, log crossing, Mink Brook, stewardship

Hike at Mink Brook Nature Preserve

July 11, 2022

Join Hanover Conservancy for a guided hike in our Mink Brook Nature Preserve. We’ll share the story behind its protection and the change in land use that allowed the wild brook trout to return to the Mink Brook watershed.

Meet: Parking area at the end of Brook Rd (11 Brook Rd), Hanover, NH

Leader: Myrilla Hartkopf

Level: Easy
This hike is about 1.2 miles and will take about 1 1/2 hours.

Please register in advance for this walk by contacting Jared Jenisch at jared.jenisch@thehowe.org.

Co-Sponsored with The Howe Library

Tagged With: hike, Howe Library, Mink Brook, Mink Brook Nature Preserve, Outdoor event, Outdoor trip Leave a Comment

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk

March 11, 2022

May 8, 2022 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Be a community scientist and seek ephemeral spring wildflowers to update the plant inventory at this protected area so close to town.
 
Leaders: Botanist Alice Schori & biologist Gail McPeek.
 
Level: Easy.
 
Meet: Trailhead parking area for Mink Brook Nature Preserve (11 Brook Rd. Hanover, NH 03755)

 

Register for the event here!

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Tagged With: hike, Mink Brook, Mother's Day, Outdoor trips, wildflowers Leave a Comment

Spring Birding Trip at Mink Brook Nature Preserve

March 11, 2022

May 7, 2022 @ 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of birds migrating up the Connecticut River to their breeding grounds in Hanover’s fields and forests. Bring binoculars.

Level: Beginners welcome.

Leaders: Hanover Conservancy volunteers.

Meet: Parking are for Mink Brook Nature Preserve (11 Brook Road, Hanover, NH 03755)

Advanced registration for Bird Trips is requested: Register Here!

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Tagged With: Bird, hike, Mink Brook, Mink Brook Nature Presere, Outdoor trips 2 Comments

Winter hike at Mink Brook Community Forest

December 22, 2021

Venture out to check for wildlife signs in the many habitat types protected by this new town land. We’ll visit both sides- north side is challenging; the south side is mild and flat. Snowshoes or micro-spikes, depending on conditions; gear available to borrow at site.

Meet: Trailhead off Greensboro Rd. which is located between the homes at 108 and 110 Greensboro Road, on the north side of the road. There is a trailhead parking sign along Greensboro Rd

Level: Easy to moderate

Leaders: Jim Kennedy, Adair Mulligan

Registration for this hike is encouraged: register here!

All Events are free and open to the public. No dogs, please!

Tagged With: Hanover, hike, Mink Brook, Mink Brook Community Forest, outdoor, snowshoe Leave a Comment

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Thank you for your support!

Our generous members and Corporate Conservators help make all of this possible. If you’re a customer of  our local business supporters, please let them know their contributions are appreciated!

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

info@hanoverconservancy.org

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