06/27/12 by admin | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Here are some photos of our most recent Sunday walk. We had a total 21 people there all of whom stayed around for some refreshments.
The stone bench in the group photo is a flat stone about 10 feet long – what a bench and a great view of the Green Mts! The view included Killington, Abraham, Ellen and, we think, Camel’s Hump and Mansfield in the distance – those are all the VT 4000 plus foot mountains.Some of the showy lady’s slippers were prime and especially brilliant but even those past prime were still the prettiest of wildflowers. There were over 200 of them in a small area. Wow!
We’ll plan on doing it again next year – don’t miss it.
~ Roger Hanlon, Sunday Stroll Leader & UVLT Trustee
UVLT and Roger Hanlon are creating an email list for these hikes, if you would like to be included in the list please contact Programs Coordinator, Anna Slack.
06/15/12 by admin | Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Upper Valley Land Trust’s annual celebration of land conservation drew nearly 150 people to UVLT’s new Lyme Hill Conservation Area last week. All enjoyed hikes and bike rides, live music, good weather and good company as Upper Valley Land Trust shared the accomplishments of the year, honored our volunteers, and elected five new Trustees to the Board of Directors.
“We’ve just installed the sign and trailhead kiosk,” said UVLT President, Jeanie McIntyre, who noted that the 237-acre Lyme Hill Conservation Area was acquired through gifts and purchases of eight parcels of land over a 20 year period. “This property exemplifies the partnerships, synergy, creativity and possibility in UVLT’s conservation accomplishments. It’s a great place for a thank you party,” she said.
(Listen to UVLT President, Jeanie McIntyre’s address along with a slideshow of our accomplishments by clicking here.)
Bob Wetzel, Chair of UVLT’s Board of Trustees, announced that UVLT has conserved 2000 acres of land in the past year, and now stewards conservation protections on well over 40,000 acres of land. He thanked the many Upper Valley households and businesses who support UVLT, saying that land conservation contributes to the vibrancy and resilience of the Upper Valley.
UVLT’s Peg Merrens looks on after presenting Willis Wood with the Ashley Advocate Award
The Ashley Advocate Award was presented to Willis Wood of Weathersfield in recognition of his outstanding leadership and neighborly outreach to educate landowners about conservation options. His efforts have resulted in the conservation of numerous significant parcels in Weathersfield and strong community support and understanding.
UVLT’s Pete Helm presents Peggy Willey with the Patchen Miller Award
Peggy Willey of West Fairlee received the Patchen Miller Award which honors the memory of a young naturalist who loved exploring and sharing the world around him. Peggy Willey’s enthusiasm for land stewardship and joy in supporting others as they learn about nature were recognized.
The UVLT members present elected five new Trustees:
• Tracy “Skip” Brown, a longtime Trustee of the Aloha Foundation, who currently serves as Chairman of the West Fairlee Planning Board, and runs the milfoil eradication program of the Lake Fairlee Association. Skip has extensive non-profit experience and a background in law.
• Tom Ciardelli, a retired biochemist and owner of a retail outfitting business. Tom and his wife donated a conservation easement on the 220-acre Sharon, VT property in 2000. He serves as a Trustee of the Center for Northern Woodlands Education and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.
• Steve Fowler, an attorney currently “of-counsel” with the Concord law firm of Rath, Young, & Pignatelli, focusing on complex commercial real estate transactions and particularly alternative energy projects. Steve has served on the Hanover Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Board of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Board of the Hanover Conservancy.
• June Hemberger, a former teacher, business owner and independent consultant focusing on team and leadership development and strategic planning. June currently serves on the Enfield Shaker Museum Board and is a past member of the Norwich School Board and the Proctor Academy Board. Her family conserved land on an island in Maine.
• Jim Reynolds, has spent over two decades in the financial services industry in asset management and private equity including at Fayez Sarofim & Co. and Fundamental Capital, in San Francisco. Jim moved to the Upper Valley several years ago and is active here as a private investor. He is on the Board of Advisors for Norris Cotton Cancer Center and serves on the Affordable Housing Committee for the Town of Hanover.
UVLT Chairman Bob Wetzel recognized the leadership contributions of retiring Trustees Freda Swan, Kathy Larson, Charlotte Faulkner, Doug Loudon and Rick Roesch.
06/13/12 by admin | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Remembering Marion “Wiggy” Weathers Grassi
As I drove down Pinnacle Hill Road on my way from my house to UVLT’s annual meeting site last Wednesday, the sun was just beginning to poke through a heavy bank of clouds. It seemed like it had been raining for days and there was more rain in the forecast. I thought of Wiggy Grassi.
I knew that Wiggy, a dear friend of mine and UVLT’s, would be thrilled by the new sign and trail improvements at the Lyme Hill Conservation Area where our meeting was to be held. She would cheer for UVLT’s accomplishments and welcome friends to our celebration. But while our activities were unfolding, Wiggy’s life was ending.
I didn’t meet Wiggy until she moved to Kendal and joined UVLT in the 1990’s. By then, her positive spirit was well established – she shared happiness and beauty with everyone she met. On UVLT’s Board, she was very smart and gracious, fun-loving and deeply committed. She was passionate about UVLT’s work and equally caring of those who carried out the work. She was part of our family.
One particularly dreary winter, Wiggy and I met to talk about an upcoming UVLT event. I made a comment about the weather – the kind of silly conversation filler folks are apt to exchange. Wiggy’s response was gentle and sweet, but firm. She let me know that:
1) Winter is part of this place we love and it’s beautiful
2) Whining about the weather (and complaining in general) is boring.
So, as I was driving down Pinnacle Hill Road last week, I was thinking that there might be rain at our Annual Meeting and how I could be glad for the hay crops growing by leaps each day, for the wetlands that hold and release moisture, for the forests of bright green. I could see the sparkles of precipitation on blades of grass, the ripples of drops on Post Pond. Take it in, enjoy it.
Wiggy lived each day I knew her with conscious appreciation. Her passion for land conservation was rooted in her love of life. Her 90+ years are a marvelous lesson in how to live.
Jeanie McIntyre, June 13, 2012
06/12/12 by admin | Other UVLT News, Uncategorized, UVLT Events | No Comments »
This June find a cache and enter for a chance to win a great prize!
UVLT has hidden two geocaches at our new Lyme Hill Conservation Area! Grab some friends and your GPS and go for a hike! Each cache contains a raffle ticket, each individual is allowed to submit one ticket from each cache into the drawing (maximum of two tickets per person).
Cache 1
Image courtesy www.notaboutthenumbers.com
N 43° 47’ 33.2”
W 072° 10’ 24.7”
Cache 2
N 43° 47’ 36.0”
W 072° 10’ 45.6”
What is geocaching?
It is like a mix between a walk in the woods and a treasure hunt. Geocachers use their GPS units to find hidden ‘caches’ and see what is inside!
How do you find a cache?
Your GPS manual should have instructions on how to enter in the coordinates of a cache. Or, sometimes you can download the coordinates right off of the website (unfortunately, not the case here).
What do I do next if I find a cache?
Remove one slip and, after you fill out your information, mail it in!
Raffle ends July 9th and the winner will be announced in the following weeks.
Mail raffle tickets to:
Upper Valley Land Trust c/o Anna Slack
19 Buck Road
Hanover, NH 03755
Include your name, email, and phone number.
Incomplete tickets will be considered invalid.
Click here for a map of the Lyme Hill Conservation Area (includes parking information).
06/12/12 by admin | Uncategorized | No Comments »
The last Friday of May dawned a bit drizzly, but the clouds, occasional showers, and occasional ticks did not slow down the determined work effort by 16 Hypertherm Associates who volunteered their time to help UVLT staff create a trail connection from its recently established parking and access area at the Lyme Hill Conservation Area just off Route 10, in Lyme, NH.
UVLT hosted its Land Conservation Celebration and Annual Meeting at its Lyme Hill site on Wednesday, June 6 (learn more here) which made this Hypertherm workday particularly well-timed. Hikers and other visitors will now find cleared trails, including a nice wide mulched path from the parking area out to the forest, a pair of newly-constructed bog bridges, many fewer invasive honeysuckle shrubs along the forest edge, and relaxing spaces to take in views over the brook and near the summit of Lyme Hill. It was astounding how much work got done, and Pete, Jason, and Sara (and the rest of us at UVLT!) want to send thanks out to Hypertherm for giving their Associates the opportunities to give back to groups like us for the benefit of our communities! While sharing stories over shovel-fulls of mulch, while sawing and lopping, and while wrestling with weed wrenches, we laughed, groaned about aches and pains (Pete, mostly), and learned a lot about how people, pitching in together at work or in the field, help to build community.
The Lyme Hill Conservation Area is a 237 acre property owned by UVLT and adjacent to another 152 acres of privately-owned conserved land, just south of Lyme Village between Route 10 and River Road. Existing trails provide ample opportunities for outdoor endeavors and many other works-in-progress should enhance visitor experiences in the near future. If you are interested in volunteering with projects that UVLT will have ongoing at this site or any of our conservation areas, please contact Pete Helm or Jason Berard. It feels good to give back!
And, of course, next time you’re looking for a great place to explore with family or friends, consider a trip to this special property which will continue to evolve as an exceptional place to learn, play and celebrate the land we all love in the Upper Valley.
See a slideshow of their work here!
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