Tis the Season of Giving (and receiving!) from the Lands we Love

Now, as you prepare holiday gifts for those you love it’s a great time to make a gift for the land that gives us all so much! The places we conserve together provide healthy food, clean water, closeness to nature, abundant wonder and beauty. Your generosity is an act of community, a gift of resilience and legacy.

Every land conservation success depends on people like you.

Every gift makes a difference.

In the next few weeks, the UVLT will complete four conservation transactions protecting nearly 450 acres and establishing two new UVLT-owned Conservation Areas. Each place is unique and special – forest habitat, wetlands and headwater streams, fertile farmland, open space for recreation and outdoor learning. They are places our region needs for a healthy future. Won’t you join with us?

What's Happening at UVLT

Goodnight, Gardens!

That’s a wrap on the 2024 Food Pantry Garden season! Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped to make our gardens grow, and to our partners at Willing Hands and Claremont Soup Kitchen for connecting our neighbors in need with freshly harvested produce from our gardens at Up On The Hill and Brookmead Conservation Areas, all season long. We look forward to sowing the seeds for next year!

Pictured above: Story Walk Trail at Lyme Hill Conservation Area

New Story Alert at Lyme Hill Conservation Area

Last week, the UVLT staff, with help from two local families, swapped out the story on our Story Walk Trail at Lyme Hill Conservation Area—just in time for you to enjoy during the holiday break! The new winter story is Redwoods, by Lyme’s own Jason Chin.

As you stroll along our forested trail, you’ll have the chance to read this captivating tale about a child who, while riding the subway, is transported to another world through a book about the majestic redwood trees.

"I love the way the land rolls above the flowing water in this part of the forest, the dispersed rocks, and the moss and fern throughout -- it's just the most amazing setting to experience a story among generations, and Redwood fits there so well. Nora, Claire, and I spent some time with the story before dark, and we couldn't believe the worlds within the world of a redwood tree, all that grows way up in the canopy. Awe!" - Merritt, UVLT Volunteer

Redwoods replaces Hooray for Snail! by Lyme resident John Stadler. We are incredibly grateful to both John and Jason for allowing us to share their beautiful stories at Lyme Hill. A special thanks to Tara McGovern and Curtis Cote for kickstarting this project, and to Judy Russell for her invaluable expert guidance!

Pictured above: an Eastern Red-Spotted newt at Crowell Woodlands Conservation Area

Coming Soon - Crowell Woodlands Conservation Area

Within a few weeks, UVLT will acquire 72 acres of northern hardwoods and mixed forest with multiple vernal pools and a small seasonal brook in Canaan. This land, which is located within a half mile of the Canaan Elementary School, and near a heron rookery, was conserved by Jim and Deborah Crowell in 2004. Now their children are donating the land for long term conservation ownership, dedicating the gift to their parents. UVLT plans to manage the land for ecological resilience and environmental education programming in conjunction with the Canaan Conservation Commission. Stay tuned for more information!

Pictured above: Snowshoers enjoy the view from Wright Mountain lookout

Wright’s Mountain Town Forest Turns 30!

Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 1-4 PM | Meet at the trailhead

Join the Bradford Conservation Commission for this milestone event! There will be a fire for roasting hot dogs & marshmallows; volunteer awards; and, a scavenger hunt! 

Now encompassing over 500 acres, Bradford’s Wright’s Mountain/Devil’s Den property offers a wide diversity of habitat and is great for hiking, photography, nature study, bird watching, hunting, and other recreational pursuits. The Bradford Conservation Commission manages over 9 miles of trails there.

No registration required. Come one, come all!

Pictured above: View from the top of Lyme Pinnacle looking west towards Vermont

Annual Solstice Hike at Lyme Pinnacle

Saturday, December 21, 2024 | 4:00pm

Lyme Pinnacle parking lot

Join us, and the Lyme Conservation Commission, for a self-paced hike to the top of Lyme Pinnacle, where we will gather around a fire to enjoy shared company, conversation, and hot chocolate to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Lets celebrate the official start of Winter, and the return of increased daylight as we watch the sun set!

This event is open to all. UVLT staff will be present to help lead the way, and light the fire, but hikers are encouraged to move at their own pace. We will plan to meet at the Pinnacle parking lot at 4pm. Please note the descent will be dark, so headlamps/flashlights are required. Other gear (trekking poles, micro spikes) may be useful depending on weather, trail conditions, and ability.

No registration required. 

We Know You Love the Upper Valley. We Do Too.

Become a part of the conservation solution and DONATE and/or VOLUNTEER today!