Five Rivers 2019 – An Exciting Year in Review
The past year was another exciting one for Five Rivers Conservation Trust. Conservation successes in 2019 include the addition of four major properties, totaling 254 acres. Our 2019 news includes the addition of Alison Scheiderer, our first first conservation staff member. And in 2019, more than 350 participants enjoyed themselves at Five Rivers events and outreach programs.
Warner Fishing Derby at Children’s Brook in Warner
Conservation Successes
Wilson-Sapiro property in Gilmanton – This 164-acre property contains forest, stream, and wetland habitats and the remains of a once-thriving 19th century mill complex. Landowners Graham Wilson and Virginia Sapiro generously donated the conservation easement to permanently protect their land from development, subdivision, and mismanagement, no matter who owns it in the future.
Children’s Brook in Warner – Five Rivers collaborated with landowners Scott and Joan Warren and the Warner Conservation Commission to conserve nearly one half mile along Willow Brook, also known as Children’s Brook. Children’s Brook has been home to Warner’s Children’s Fishing Derby for over 60 years. With the area conserved, future generations of parents and children will have access to this special place!
Houston Intervale Field in Contoocook – Five Rivers and the Hopkinton Conservation Commission collaborated to conserve Houston Intervale field, a 55-acre farm field in the center of Contoocook with one mile of frontage on the Contoocook and Warner Rivers. The land is farmed by the nearby Pine Lane Farm, a dairy farm operated by the Houston family.
Backwoods 2 in Concord– Five Rivers and the City of Concord collaborated to conserve Backwoods 2. Adding this property creates nearly 200 acres of contiguous conserved land behind Concord Hospital and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Backwoods 2 connects Winant Park to Walker State Forest. Concord’s Conservation Commission is working with the NH Division of Forests and Lands to delineate the main trails from Winant Park through the newly conserved land to Walker State Forest.
News and Events
Homeowners Gina Sapiro and Graham Wilson with participants at their August event
January 2019 – Alison Scheiderer joined Five Rivers as its first conservation staff member. Alison has already written successful grants to fund land conservation projects, worked with five different landowners on the process of conserving their properties, visited 25 conserved properties and reviewed 80 monitoring reports. She is also working on our Conservation Plan and improving our property stewardship program. Alison’s work has helped bring our list of active projects to 1000 acres!
February 2019 – Five Rivers’ community of conservation-minded supporters and friends turned out in force for Five Fivers’ second Film Festival held at Red River Theatres in Concord! Films about fishing and farming, water and trails, conservation and biking, nature and forests were shown, and raffles prizes were awarded.
April 2019 – Our Flannel, Fleece, and French Toast Fundraiser was a success! Over 60 people joined us for a hearty, catered breakfast. Our hosts at the Showshoe Club were welcoming and the amount of flannel in the room was astounding. This event raised over $4,500 to support the creation of Five Rivers’ first Conservation Plan.
June 2019 – On a beautiful June evening, more than 90 friends and supporters joined Five Rivers for our Annual Gathering, this year at the McLane Center in Concord. Executive Director, Beth McGuinn shared an exciting year of conservation successes and staff expansion with the crowd. Anthea Lavallee, Executive Director of the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, was our featured speaker. She shared key Hubbard Brook discoveries including acid rain, the impacts of forest management on water quality and quantity, and climate change consequences.
August 2019 – On Sunday afternoon, August 18th, Five Rivers hosted an event in Gilmanton on one of our newest properties – Wilson-Sapiro. More than 60 people joined us on this fascinating walk that explored the vast historical and natural treasures of the Jones mill area of Gilmanton.
October 2019 – Five Rivers moved its offices to The Concord Center at 10 Ferry Street, Suite 311-A in Concord. For nearly three years, Resilient Building Group had hosted Five Rivers’ office on Dixon Avenue, but RBG’s business has grown tremendously and they needed the space we had occupied.
November 2019 – On a glorious cool fall day in November, over 80 people joined Five Rivers at Bohanan Farm for a hike to the confluence of the of the Blackwater and Contoocook Rivers. Ted Deirs, Watershed Management expert at the NH Department of Environmental Services, naturalists Ruth Smith and Linden Rayton, and Bohanan farmer Jamie Robertson provided educational stops along the trail.
Year end, 2019 – Thomas M. Armstrong and his family donated the 24-acre Armstrong Forest Preserve to Five Rivers Conservation Trust. Located on Stickney Hill Road, the Preserve enhances, connects, and is in close proximity to St Paul’s School land and conserved land. Land to the east, is owned by St. Paul’s School. City of Concord land and the West End Farm Trail extend to the north. Three expansive fields and farms conserved by Five Rivers Conservation Trust lie to the west. Five Rivers is honored to receive this gift of land from Tom Armstrong and his family. We will care for the land as a natural area, so others can develop a closer relationship to the natural world.
We thank you for your support, participation, and your committed dedication to preserving vital farms, forests, wildlife habitats, and water resources in the greater Capital region.
