We observe ACT’s Herbert G. Whipple Farm Conservation property over our back stone wall, and  I thought it might be useful for ACT to get a report of what we see, a sort of ” State of the Farm” report.

Most days there is evidence of one or more people walking in the field. This is based on the tracks we see in the snow in winter and some tracks in soft earth and visual sightings in the other seasons. As a conservative estimate I would say 500 person visits a year, but perhaps more than that. The commemorative bench at a view point in the field is well used.

The ecology of the field seems to be holding up well although the invasive plants dogbane and lupine are increasing in some areas.  From what I understand our only hope is to encourage native plants as removal or herbicide application has significant dangers and is often ineffective.
It took some experimentation with mowing regimes, but the 2009 mowing seems to be a successful approach. It is late enough to spare the ground nesting birds and supply several species with the bountiful blueberries, and early enough to impact the woody plants and other invasives such as dogbane and lupine. It could be a little earlier, perhaps the end of August to affect the invasives more. The mowing seemed well done this year.

Wildlife are doing well.  wild turkey, black bear and white-tailed deer are attracted to blueberries and the wild apple trees and moose are seen occasionally.  Coyote and red fox are rarely seen but leave tracks regularly.  We have two or sometimes three woodcock displaying in the field in spring and snipe are common.  There is a nesting pair of bobolinks.  Butterflies continue to be common in the field.
We need to continue the good work of clearing blown down trees to allow for mowing of the field, and at some point it will be necessary to cut or trim some of the trees on the field margins and the tree islands in the field if the field is not to shrink in size. Perhaps we should consider a clean up day as an activity for ACT members this next summer or fall before mowing.

An interesting development is that due to beaver activity on the little pond at the north edge of the property the shoreline of the pond is moving outward and I believe now has passed some of the property boundary so the Whipple Farm now has waterfront if you will! Someday we might be able to make a short boardwalk and viewing bench on the pond.

Tim Williams and his wife Janet live adjacent to the Herbert G. Whipple Farm Conservation Area in Sugar Hill. They were instrumental in the community effort that raised the funds to purchase this land for permanent conservation. This ACT-owned land is open to all – please visit!