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Gilman Forest UPDATE: 65% of Project Goal Reached!

According to The Tamworth Conservation Commission, 65% of the fundraising goal for preserving the Gilman Forest has been reached as of September 15! They have until May 1, 2010 to raise $140,000. Pledges of $48,000 have been received.

Art in the Age has just helped out, as well! (See last week’s post: KEEP NH FOREST UNDEVELOPED – Art In The Age Helps To Protect The Gilman Forest)

A Few New Facts I Have Learned About The Forest:

- The Bearcamp Trackers report abundant populations of moose, bear, otter, and mink in the Gilman Forest!

- The forest borders town roads for a total of 5545 feet, making it awfully attractive to developers.

- The Official Press Release (from August) follows below:

News Release
For immediate release
August 14, 2009

Giving Wildlife Room to Roam Between the Sandwich Range and the Ossipees

The Tamworth Conservation Commission (TCC) is working with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) to help preserve high quality wildlife habitat in Tamworth.  The TCC, which has for many years worked to preserve lands bordering Tamworth’s water bodies, is now focusing land conservation efforts on the Whites-to-Ossipees Connectivity Initiative. 

On August 23rd, the TCC and Forest Society are offering a field trip and presentation about this new initiative and a current land conservation project: the Gilman Forest.

The concept of this new initiative has been developing for several years.  The NH Fish & Game Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) rated much  of western Tamworth and eastern Sandwich among the highest quality habitat in the state.  The Bearcamp Trackers and other locals have documented significant large mammal activity in this corridor, with evidence that it helps provide connectivity between wildlife populations in the Sandwich Range and the Ossipee Mountains.  The Connectivity Initiative will, over many years, help preserve the current working, forested landscape that supports this abundant wildlife activity.

As part of this Connectivity Initiative, the TCC and the Forest Society have begun a project to protect from development the Gilman Forest, a 130-acre forested tract in south central Tamworth, which is bordered by Mill Brook on the north and by Durrell Road on the south. The Gilman Forest lot is a central piece in the corridor mosaic. The corridor area already contains much protected and working forest land, including Hemenway State Forest.  The Gilman Forest is part of the scenic ridge visible to the south from Cleveland Hill Road and is contiguous with several other conserved properties to the north. The project aims to raise $140,000 to purchase the property and for long-term stewardship costs.  Pledges of $48,000 have already been received.

Those interested in learning more are invited to participate in a field trip through the Gilman Forest at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 23rd.  In addition to the field trip, at 4:30 p.m. there will be a presentation by TCC members on the Connectivity Initiative and how the Gilman Forest fits into the larger picture.  Both the start of the field trip and the presentation will be at Scott Aspinall’s home, 835 Cleveland Hill Road in Tamworth (on the left, 1.5 miles west of The Barnstormers Theatre – look for the Conservation Commission banner).  The public is invited to participate in either or both of these events.

“We’re pleased to be working with the Forest Society to protect this piece of prime habitat,” said John Mersfelder, chair of the TCC fundraising committee.  “Their professional staff provide experience in the technical details of land preservation, while our energetic volunteer local committee is advancing support in and around Tamworth.”

This cooperative conservation project will result in the Forest Society owning the property and the Town of Tamworth owning a conservation easement on it.  The conservation easement will     protect the land, in perpetuity, from development. However, the Forest Society will continue to pay local taxes.  Activities such as forestry, agriculture, and public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing will continue in the Gilman Forest.

For details and updates about this exciting initiative, check the web site, http://www.tamworthconservationcommission.org/specialprojects.html.  Alternatively, forward questions to info@tamworthconservationcommission.org or by calling 387-7869.