Conservationists hail purchase of Birch Ridge property in New Durham

As the final celebration activity, school buses transported about 80 participants up to Birch Ridge to get a group photo, eat lunch, and take part in walks heading off to different parts of the property. (Courtesy photo)

NEW DURHAM - The sun was shining and the mood was celebratory on a recent Saturday in New Durham as conservationists hailed the recent purchase of the 2,000-acre Birch Ridge Community Forest.

Nearly 100 members of the New Durham community, Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, Merrymeeting Lake Association, and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways gathered to celebrate and enjoy scenic walks on the property.

The morning began with Merrymeeting Lake Association's Annual Meeting, at which outgoing President Bill Bassett thanked many individuals of this all-volunteer organization for their contributions. Bassett noted the accomplishments of continuing the 40-year effort of monitoring the lake's water quality and initiating the acquisition of the 2,000 forested acres on Birch Ridge overlooking the lake, which had been the focus of many previously failed conservation attempts over the past decade.

MMLA Board member Russ Weldon added his thanks to the many deeply generous individual donors to the Birch Ridge project, whose gifts totaled approximately $1.8 million. He also proclaimed, "This is only the beginning!" and advocated for the organization continuing to conserve land in the lake watershed in order to better protect its water quality and scenic beauty.

Newly elected MMLA President Laurie Smith encouraged members to participate in the Celebration walks and to "get out and enjoy the view of success."

MMRG Interim Executive Director Dan Coons recognized several granting agencies for their support of this project with grants totaling almost $1.1M from the US Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Program, the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, the Town of New Durham, and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Aquatic Resources Mitigation Program.