30 Ways to Celebrate 30 Years of Land Conservation

FIVE RIVERS

Land Conservation increases quality of life in so many ways! From the arts to local food, outdoor activities, clean water and air, and abundant trails, trees and wildlife, conserved lands make the greater capital area a special place to live, work and play. This summer and fall, challenge yourself to do some or all of these activities related to Five Rivers Conservation Trust, to celebrate 30 years of local land conservation. If you document your activities and submit them by November 10, Five Rivers Conservation Trust will give a limited-edition 30th anniversary baseball cap to the person who completes the most activities.

Visit conserved farms and purchase locally grown products:

1. Visit Dimond Hill Farm in Concord and buy locally grown produce.
2. Visit Carter Hill Orchard in Concord and pick blueberries or apples.
3. Visit Bean Hill Farm Northfield and pick berries.
4. Buy Contoocook Creamery dairy products, raised on Bohanan Farm, Contoocook.
5. Buy ice cream at Granite State Candy Shoppe – it’s made from Contoocook Creamery milk.

Hike, bike or drive to a scenic vista:

6. Visit Frisky Hill, Route 107 in Gilmanton, to see the fantastic view of the Belknap Mountains.
7. Hike Winant Park in Concord, and take in the view of the NH State House.
8. Hike Swope Park in Concord and see the view of Penacook Lake.
9. Visit Stone Farm in Dunbarton and have your picture taken at the geographic center of New England.

Paddle on or fish in each of the five rivers in the greater capital region:

10. Merrimack River
11. Contoocook River
12. Warner River
13. Blackwater River
14. Soucook River

Renew your spirit:

15. Walk the labyrinth at Dimond Hill Farm.
16. Sit silently on any of these conserved properties, and listen for 30 minutes.

Hike the trails on and between conserved lands:

17. Walk the seven-mile West End Farm trail, from Carter Hill Orchard to NH Audubon.
18. Walk the trails at Bohanan Farm, Contoocook.
19. Walk the trails at the Sweatt Property, Hopkinton.
20. Walk the trails at the Ransmeier property, Hopkinton.
21. Hike from Carter Hill Orchard to Winant Park, Concord.

Experience the history of conserved lands:

22. Drive or bike by the Stickney Hill Road farms in Concord and enjoy this historic agricultural neighborhood.
23. Visit the John Winant Statue outside the NH State Library in downtown Concord.
24. Attend Old Ways Days in Canterbury (third weekend in October), and walk the Emerson property trails.

Be patriotic:

25. Look for our national symbol, the bald eagle, on the Merrimack River.

Paint, draw, sculpt or photograph:

26. One of Five Rivers’ conserved landscapes.
27. A plant or animal you saw on one of Five Rivers’ conserved properties.

And get to know Five Rivers Conservation Trust:

28. Like Five Rivers’ Facebook page.
29. Attend a Five Rivers event (go to the Events tab at this website).
30. Join Five Rivers, or give a gift membership to conserve more local land.