Chichester – Town Forest
130 Hutchinson Road
120 acres of forest
Public access, hiking trails
March, 2018
Five Rivers and the Town of Chichester teamed up to enhance the level of conservation for the Chichester (Spaulding) Town Forest in March 2018, Five Rivers’ first property conserved by easement in Chichester! This 120-acre working forest is located on the Chichester/Pembroke Town Line, off of Hutchinson Road in the southern part of Town. The easement adds to the Town’s other easement holdings which total nearly 400 acres.
The Town has owned most of the Town Forest parcel since the 1950s, and has carefully managed it under the professional guidance of licensed forester Charlie Moreno. Forest Management has improved the quality of the forest overall and is encouraging future growth on the best quality trees on the property. In addition to sustainable forestry, the Town’s forest management goals include preservation of wildlife habitat and promotion of passive recreation.
NH Fish and Game ranks this property among the best wildlife habitat in the state, and includes habitat suitable for creatures ranging from large mammals to amphibians. The property abuts the Humphrey Forest, conserved by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. These properties, plus other nearby conserved land, provide over 400 acres permanently protected for wildlife to roam. Additional unprotected open spaces create a contiguous block of 1300 acres.
The property is open to the public and currently has three trails of varying length and difficulty. The highest terrain on the parcel provides some exceptional views to the east.
Many New Hampshire towns have designated Town Forests, and some people believe that these properties are conserved by that designation. However, the Town Forest designation can be removed by a vote at town meeting. The Chichester Town Forest is protected by a conservation easement, which limits its use to forestry, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat management and conservation – forever.
Five Rivers will continue to work with the Town and the Conservation Commission to ensure that the property’s conservation values are always protected for the public benefit.
