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Great Bog, Portsmouth, N.H. - E. Aldrich photo
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Protecting the Ossipee Pine Barrens:
The Nature Conservancy is a step closer to protecting part of an important local landmark in Madison, including critical pine barrens habitat and overlaying a major source of underground drinking water. The Conservancy has secured an option to purchase 349 acres between Silver Lake and Cook’s Pond, including much of a scenic stream that connects the two. Landowners Susan Goodwin and her family have signed an agreement that would allow the Conservancy to purchase the property by March 2007.
The option is part of a campaign by The Nature Conservancy to protect the globally rare pine barrens habitat that occurs in Freedom, Madison, Tamworth and Ossipee, primarily between Silver Lake and Ossipee Lake. “We are literally in a race against time to protect this irreplaceable habitat,” said Daryl Burtnett, state director of The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire. “This is one of New Hampshire’s most endangered habitats and it’s vulnerable to development, sand and gravel extraction, and unsustainable forestry, among other threats. The Nature Conservancy has resolved to make protection here a top priority, and with the support of the communities here, along with state and federal partners, we’re confident that we can succeed.” In February, the Conservancy purchased 170 acres in Freedom and 65 acres in Ossipee, both of which contain the unique and rare pine barrens habitat that the organization has been working to protect since 1988. The Conservancy has also secured an additional contract to protect 25 acres in Madison. Because of the rarity and importance of the Ossipee Pine Barrens, the Conservancy has been actively protecting land in the area for 17 years. The Conservancy currently owns 2,285 acres in the Ossipee Pine Barrens, almost 1,000 acres of which include excellent pine barrens habitat. The Conservancy’s goal has been to protect 1,500 to 2,000 acres of areas of well-connected pine barrens habitat, buffered and linked by natural forest and wetland habitats. << Learn more about this window of opportunity >> Partners for Conservation:
“The Great Bay estuary is one of New Hampshire’s environmental jewels,” said U.S. Senator Judd Gregg in a letter for the event. “While being one of the most vital natural ecosystems in the country’s coastal regions, it is also one of the most fragile. For this reason, we must continue to make its protection a top priority. Fortunately, The Nature Conservancy and all the members of the Great Bay Partnership understand the importance of meeting this responsibility. The expansion of Lubberland Creek shows again how effective you have been. Because of this dedication, the people of our state will long be able to enjoy the beauty of Great Bay.”
In December, the Conservancy purchased the 35.5 acres adjoining its Lubberland Creek Preserve on the Durham-Newmarket line. The property came with a small house that is now the Conservancy’s Great Bay office. From there, the Conservancy manages its Great Bay conservation efforts, including land protection, marine research and restoration, and stewardship of preserves. Long a priority for conservation, the project protects high quality salt marsh, 1,700 feet of frontage at the mouth of Lubberland Creek, and provides a key link in what’s now 2,300 acres of contiguous protected land. << Read the Portsmouth Herald Article >> Conservation Funding: U.S. Senator Judd Gregg has announced that the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership is in line to receive $5.3 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through a 2007 funding measure currently moving through the Senate. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations measure, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. Senator Gregg is the former chairman, and a current member, of the CJS Subcommittee and included the funding in the NOAA budget. Through his position on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Gregg has worked to secure $50 million for Great Bay Partnership projects from 1997 through 2006. Senator Gregg stated, “The Great Bay is one of the most extraordinary environmental resources in our state and ensuring its protection is critical. The work being done by the Partnership continues to make sure that generations of New Hampshire residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the Bay in all its natural splendor. I applaud the Partnership for their continued successes in protecting the Bay and look forward to their future accomplishments which will be aided by this funding.” Save the date: Jonathan Adams, an inspiring conservationist and author of the new book "The Future of the Wild: Radical Conservation for a Crowded World," will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of The Nature Conservancy's New Hampshire Chapter. Great Bay will be the backdrop of this year’s annual meeting, which will be Saturday, September 9, at the Great Bay Discovery Center in Stratham (formerly Sandy Point Discovery Center). The meeting will be at the adjoining Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, with registration starting at 9:30 a.m.
Adams is a conservation biologist and program director of conservation knowledge and communities with The Nature Conservancy. He is co-author of The Myth of Africa: Conservation Without Illusion and co-editor of Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States." Hear an interview with Jonathan Adams about "The Future of the Wild." After the annual meeting, join us on an fun and informative array of field trips. Among them:
Details are still coming together. Look for an invitation soon, or visit www.nature.org/newhampshire.
N.H. Wildlife Action Plan: Note: This is a regular glimpse at the N.H. Fish and Game Department's newly approved Wildlife Action Plan. This profile of the whip-poor-will was written by Pamela Hunt of New Hampshire Audubon. Below is an abridged snapshot of the description. To see the profile and the plan in its entirety, click here. Habitat Description Relative Health of Populations Habitat Management Status Conservation Actions << Hear the whip-poor-will's song >> << Learn about TNC's latest efforts to protect the whip-poor-will's habitat >> Working together, we can ensure the diversity of life on Earth and enrich the quality of life in New Hampshire now and for future generations. You can make a significant impact by helping us preserve and steward land now, which will improve the quality of life for you, your children, your grandchildren and for the future of life on Earth. Please consider:
For more information, contact Tiffany McKenna, director of philanthropy, at 603-224-5853, ext. 15. Click here to find out how you can help The Nature Conservancy's conservation efforts in New Hampshire and beyond.
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