Thank You Summer Interns!

The Upper Valley Land Trust was lucky enough to have two interns working with us this summer.  We would like to thank and recognize them both for the impact they had. 

Ally Bernstein - 2011 Patchen Miller Intern

Ally Bernstein began her summer at the Upper Valley Land Trust on June 13th as UVLT’s 2011 Patchen Miller Intern.  Her start was delayed a week due to illness, but when she arrived she was all energy!  Ally has used her talents to explore, create, and develop a program to entertain Upper Valley kids and families through a series of Natural Art Hikes on UVLT properties.  Ally’s goal was to encourage kids to form their own connections with the natural world and art through fun and engaging activities.  

After a quick introduction with photographs, books, and discussion, Ally became a mystical guide transforming hot summer walks in the woods into fascinating trips into the imagination.  Using only the items they found along the trail, the children created sculptures, artistic designs, and fairy houses.  And while their artwork will definitely not withstand the test of time, the joy and beauty these kids found in their relationship to the natural world certainly will.

Ally is an inspiring and focused young woman.  She is a rising junior at Wesleyan University studying Environmental Studies and Studio Art.  Keep on the lookout for her; we expect to see her hand in many wonderful things, including the work of many little ‘elves’ and ‘fairies’ on whom she has cast her magical spell!!   We will miss her here at UVLT, but her work will live on!

Dylan Riessen - 2011 Stewardship Intern

Dylan Riessen joined UVLT as a Stewardship Intern for the summer.  Dylan’s interest and enthusiasm for conservation was so strong that he was irresistable and thus was offered a role with the Stewardship side of UVLT.  Upon accepting Dylan has more than confirmed his mettle.  In the words of Stewardship Coordinator, Jason Berard, “We’d be up the creek without his help this summer!”

Growing up in Hanover, Dylan has a strong familiarity with the area and he hit the ground running.  He walked roughly 1500 acres for us, as well as doing the thankless job of weed whacking several of the trails that UVLT maintains.  To date UVLT has conserved roughly 42,000 acres and with them come required annual visits, Dylan proved to be an integral part of our Stewardship work this summer.  Through the heat and humidity, Dylan always kept a smile on his face, and became a part of the UVLT family. 

Dylan is headed back to Colby College for his junior year, where he will begin the year with a semester abroad in Geneva, Switzerland to study Political Science and International Relations.  Join us in thanking Dylan, and wishing him the best! We hope to see him back in the Upper Valley in the future, and know he will go on to do big things!

Pout Pond Property Protected!

More than 20 years ago, Put and Marion Blodgett bought a very special piece of land in Lyme, NH.  The property includes significant frontage on Pout Pond, one of few remaining ponds that are untouched by, and hidden away from, civilization.  No structures can be seen from the pond or its shoreline, helping enhance the natural calm that exists around this pristine feature. 

When the Blodgetts first visited the Pout Pond property, conservationist Jane Curtis gave them an important piece of advice to consider when constructing their house, “Don’t cut the trees.  You don’t need to see the water from your house.”  They took the idea to heart, and since making their home on this land, they have put in many years of thoughtful care and stewardship into the 298 acres of land that surrounds the ecological treasure of Pout Pond. 

This month they took their dedication and love for their Pout Pond property to an even higher level by signing a permanent conservation agreement to protect the entire property with UVLT. 

To read more about the Blodgett's newly conserved Pout Pond property & learn more about their other conservation efforts please visit our website!

The Lyme Conservation Commission provided funds to UVLT to support the
long-term stewardship of this property, and neighbors and friends of UVLT
made donations to cover UVLT's transaction costs of this project - many
thanks to all those supporters!

UVLT's Jackson Property Provides  

Natural Inspiration to

AVA Gallery's

'Art in the Wild' Campers

At the beginning of the month children got a chance to experience nature, and art, on their own terms.   The AVA Gallery, in partnership with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), hosted a program they called Art in the Wild – A New Summer Art Camp Experience.  AVA utilized their own studio space in Lebanon, NH as well as the City’s Jackson Conservation Area to help children ages 6 to 13 explore and respond to what they found in the natural world.

The Jackson Conservation Area is located within central Lebanon city limits and an easy 15 minute walk from the AVA Gallery.  Purchased by the city, the nearly 16 acre area has a history of public enjoyment.  The ability for City residents to continue to have access to this land was an important part of its preservation.

For some, public enjoyment could seem a rather vague and passive term, however, this is far from the case as illustrated by Art in the Wild campers and their use of the Jackson property!  The children of the camp showed UVLT's Programs Coordinator, Anna Slack, just how active (and creative) public enjoyment can get!  Read about her experience on our website.

19 Buck Road | Hanover, NH 03755 US