Lands Protected by ACT

The Whipple Farm Field

With the generous support of more than 110 community members, ACT completed the purchase of the Whipple Farm land in the summer of 2005. The 20 acres, the last undeveloped land from one of Sugar Hill's early farms, is located on Route 117 just up the hill from Polly's Pancake Parlor.

The land was cleared about 200 years ago and much of it has been maintained as field ever since. At its northern edge the property abuts a large beaver pond and marsh, most of which has also been conserved.

The land has not been actively farmed for many years, but has been mowed to provide habitat for field nesting birds and other wildlife. Its preponderance of native grasses also attracts an unusual variety of butterflies and moths.

Special thanks to Tim and Janet Williams for helping organize and financially support the project, and to Polly's Pancake Parlor for gift certificates for contributors.

The Sugar Hill Conservation Commission also made a significant contribution to the project. ACT is currently in negotiation with the commission on a conservation easement to be held by the town of Sugar Hill.

ACT will maintain the land as it is today, mowing the fields in the fall to maintain the habitat for field nesting birds and other wildlife that require grassland for foraging, shelter, and breeding. Native grassland is a disappearing type of habitat in the region as old farm fields are abandoned and grow into forests or housing developments.

ACT invites the public to enjoy the Whipple Conservation Area land for walking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc. We have also offered the schools in SAU 35 to use the field as an outdoor classroom for science.

This year we plan to place a bench near the height of land so that people can relax and enjoy the splendid views of the mountains to the east.

Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the property, except for mowing and other maintenance. In the spring and summer we will continue mowing a path from Route 117 through the field to the marsh area for easy walking.

Pearl Lake Shorefront

Three acres along the shore of Pearl Lake in Lisbon are now protected, thanks to the vision of former owner Betty Matthews and the generosity of the new owners.

New owners Rosalind Page and Tom Simpson of Wallingford, Conn., who bought Matthews' house, agreed to donate a conservation easement on the land. Matthews had initiated the project before she sold her house and land and moved to Berkeley, Cal., where she is much closer to children and grandchildren.

The shorefront property abuts land owned by the town of Lisbon and the Aldrich Memorial Pasture, a conserved natural area. It is within the town's Pearl Lake Conservation District. The town's master plan states that land within that district "should be protected by purchase or the obtaining of conservation easements."

The parcel affords an unfettered view across the lake to the picturesque wooded hills and fields of Landaff. A snowmobile route maintained by the Lisbon Stump Jumpers also crosses the property.

This easement is the first recorded by ACT in the town of Lisbon. Thanks to Rosalind Page, Tom Simpson, Betty Matthews, and the town administrators who helped in the easement process.

The Stewart Farm
In October 2004, ACT received its most generous and significant donation to date: the development rights on the Stewart Farm and sugarbush in Sugar Hill and Easton. The farm is one of the last operating farms in the region. Owner Charlie Stewart is well known for his maple syrup. Mr. Stewart donated the development rights on his 255 acres because he wants to see his farm and forest last into the future Under terms of the conservation easement, ACT may mow the farm fields to keep them open for their habitat and scenic value. For generations, residents and visitors have walked the trails through Stewart's woods, and appreciated the farm's place in the rural culture of the community. Through Mr. Stewart's generosity, future generations will able to do the same.

Please see the news article from The Courier here.

The Foss Forest
The Foss Forest, an 80-acre parcel in Sugar Hill, N.H. owned by ACT. Neighbors raised the funds to purchase and conserve the property, rather than see it subdivided into house lots. Their success in this project led to their forming the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust. The New England Forestry Foundation holds the conservation easement on the property.

Sunset Hill Golf Course
In 2002, ACT raised over $350,000 to purchase a conservation easement on the Sunset Hill Golf Course in Sugar Hill, N.H. This historic property, the oldest nine-hole golf course in the state, was being marketed for residential development. An intense community fund-raising effort succeeded in permanently protecting the course and adjacent woodlands. Funds were also set aside for the property's stewardship and future enhancement of recreational and conservation uses. The N.H. Land and Community Heritage Investment Program and the Island Foundation, as well as the generosity of over 300 individual donors, made the project successful.

The Sweed Property
The Sweed property on Sunset Hill, Sugar Hill, New Hampshire is part of one of the most photographed scenic vistas in New England. The property looks out over Franconia Notch, Cannon Mountain and Mount Lafayette all the way to the distant Presidential Range. In June the open fields are covered with purple and pink lupines. The area is famous for these flowers, and Sunset Hill is part of the area's annual Fields of Lupine Festival. The Sweed Family made a generous donation of the development rights on their acre of the Sunset Hill lupine field in 2002.