Location
New Boston, NH

Size
93 Acres

Year Protected
2007

Benefits
Habitat & Wetland Protection
Timber Production
Scenic Value

Key Features
Frontage on Great Meadow Managed Forest
Open Field

Recreational Uses
Snowshoeing/X-C Skiing
Hiking
Wildlife Observation
Horse Back Riding

Featured Property

Protecting Dennison Pond in Francestown

by Eric Masterson

Natalie Sanderson and Lisa and Ken Campbell have hosted equine sanctioned eventing competitions for twelve years on their 186-acre farm adjoining Dennison Pond in Francestown.   Together, they have shared the farm with horses, wildlife, and the many annual visitors who have enjoyed riding their trails through the years. 

Their story sheds light on several important factors influencing the future of the landscape here in the Piscataquog Region.   Lisa has decided that this past summer will be her last to offer eventing competitions on the farm, and by extension it will mark the end of commercial eventing in New Hampshire with the sole exception of competitions sponsored by the University of New Hampshire.  Although eventing is clearly a cherished part of her life, Lisa cited the extensive work required to maintain the operation, coupled with rising insurance and other costs that continue to erode profits, as reasons behind her decision.

Each spring, George and Skip Cilley run a sugar bush on the farm.  The Campbells “lease” the rights to the Cilleys for a couple of gallons of syrup.  Lisa knows too well the tight margins of making a living from the land to ask for anything more.  According to Skip, sugaring is nothing more than an expensive hobby, but how bereft we all would be to lose this longstanding New England tradition.  When contrasted with the tremendous gains that can be made through development of real estate, these two examples demonstrate the challenge we must surmount to protect our special places in the face of economic realities alone.

Thus we must act when landowners choose to forego development in favor of conservation.  For almost three years the Piscataquog Land Conservancy has been working with the family to acquire 35 acres of the farm for conservation.  If successful, this will mark the first conservation property on Dennison Pond, which is completely undeveloped.  We need to raise approximately $17,000 from the community to make it happen -- a relatively small fraction of the total cost of the project.

PLC operates according to the public radio model.  We provide a public service at no charge, but with the expectation that help will be at hand when needed.  Through the continued strategic application of our scarce resources and those of the larger land trust community, there is a good chance that we can pass on to our children healthy wildlife populations, clean air and water, and a promising future.  This is our service to you, and we hope that you will support our work.

To learn more about the project, please contact Eric Masterson at PLC (emasterson@plcnh.org).
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See this property for yourself!  Gordon Russell will lead a hike on the property this winter in search of wildlife sign -- the date to be determined by optimal snow conditions.  If you would like information about this trip, contact Donna Phelan at 487-3331 or dphelan@plcnh.org.