Dustin Woods Permanently Conserved Along Warner River in Hopkinton
Photo left to right: Liz Short (Five Rivers Executive Director), Jeff Evans (Five Rivers Director of Conservation), Lucia Kittredge (Hopkinton Open Space Committee), Dijit Taylor (Hopkinton Open Space Committee), Tim Britain (Cleveland, Waters and Bass), David Dustin, Kathleen Dustin, Ron Klemarczyk (Hopkinton Conservation Commission). Not pictured: Lisetta Silvestri, Ransmeier & Spellman P.C.
December 16, 2025 – Five Rivers Conservation Trust is proud to announce the permanent protection of Dustin Woods, a 39-acre property along the Warner River in Hopkinton that has remained in the Dustin family for more than 200 years. Completed in partnership with the Town of Hopkinton, this conservation easement ensures the land will remain undeveloped, publicly accessible, and ecologically healthy for generations to come.
Dustin Woods features a dramatic river overlook, silver maple floodplain forest, and wildlife habitat ranked among the highest in ecological value in New Hampshire. The property also reflects deep historical roots, with stone walls and former agricultural roads that speak to generations of family stewardship. The Dustin family once operated a 250-acre farm here without motorized equipment, shaping a landscape that remains remarkably intact today.
This conservation project was made possible with support from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), the NH Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, the NH DES Local Source Water Protection Grant Program, the Hopkinton Conservation Commission, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Local Land Conservation Fund, along with generous community support. Protecting Dustin Woods also helps safeguard the City of Concord’s public drinking water supply downstream on the Contoocook River.
The newly conserved land connects directly to trails on two neighboring Five Rivers properties — Bohanan Farm and the D&B Dustin property — strengthening a growing network of protected, publicly accessible open space in Hopkinton. The easement guarantees public access for low-impact recreation such as hiking, birdwatching, and hunting in season. “Protecting the Dustin property builds on generations of thoughtful stewardship and safeguards an important stretch of the Warner River watershed,” said Five Rivers Director of Conservation Jeff Evans. Landowner David Dustin shared, “It’s good for the town, good for the river, and something future generations can enjoy.”
