Nature Trail and the Use of Conservation Land
In order to forever protect and preserve open space, in 1992 a conservation easement was conveyed to the Town of Greenland and the State of New Hampshire. This encompasses approximately 30 acres behind the Brick House property, primarily bounded by the Winnicut River and Tide Mill Road. This property includes open meadow, hardwoods and a pine stand; and primary use is limited to natural uses such as farming, timbering or recreational activities.
We’re now happy to be working with the Town of Greenland to open this area to public use, because as far back as 1993 the Town expressed an interest in cooperating with us in creating a walking trail complex.
Beginning in the year 2000, Directors David Weeks and Bruce Dearborn (Greenland Selectman) started working with the Greenland Conservation Commission and other town agencies. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, the local Boy Scout troop and several local individuals have been very instrumental in developing a passive recreational use for the land by designing and constructing a trail network, as well as sensible long-term forest management.
This is a developing project. A forester is doing selective clearing to allow the better trees to grow unimpeded, as well as to promote wildlife habitat restoration. We have developed a small parking area off Tide Mill Road, and cut back some undergrowth to encourage grassy patches, shrub thickets and native plants for cottontail rabbit habitat and other species including a number of songbirds.
The Scouts have laid out and cut an approximate one-mile long trail which includes several crossings of seasonal streams, the old apple orchard, the pine grove and the hardwood section. Strong bridges have been built by volunteers to get walkers over the seasonally wet areas.
We have been fortunate to keep costs minimal in creating this wonderful environment for us and the townspeople to enjoy. Volunteer labor (Scouts and others) was most important. We sold some of the timber. We are seeking contributions of money or materials-in-kind from local businesses, and we hope to attract grant money to complete the project.
The highlight of our first Greenland Day, September 8, 2001, was a ribbon cutting ceremony which officially opened the trails. About 50 Greenland residents and WBH members attended this special event and walked the newly opened area.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Some of our Faithful Volunteers
