The foliage is changing, migrating birds are headed south for winter, and the magic of autumn has settled into the hills and valleys. This season is a time to slow down and reflect — and in the face of new challenges, such as a government shutdown that will have uncertain impacts on conservation, it reminds us to take a breath, come together, and recommit to our shared mission.

Planning Begins for Dothan Parcel

The owners of a 190-acre property near the Dothan Brook School in Wilder are working with UVLT, ecologists, and land planners to devise a plan to preserve the school’s existing outdoor classrooms, protect wetland, stream, and forest resources, maintain access to trails, and create housing that will help working members of the community. The owners write:

“We love this land, and also want to help the Upper Valley alleviate its severe housing shortage… We hope to meet the interconnected needs of the community and nature."

UVLT's Peg Merrens (pictured above onsite) reports that community members are coming together in both formal and informal settings to share their thoughts and find solutions that will benefit both our land and its inhabitants.

Dartmouth Center for Social Impact Supports Will Parocai at UVLT

For ten weeks this fall, Dartmouth student Will Parocai has joined UVLT’s stewardship team as a full-time intern. A member of the class of 2027 majoring in Government with a minor in Earth Sciences, Will aspires to have a career in politics and environmental policy. At UVLT, he has helped Alexander van Engelen in the woods at Old Town Farm, locating healthy ash trees to determine where a patch cut would be beneficial (photo above). He has also been helping with trail maintenance. Will says that the experience he is gaining through the internship will help him “understand the impact of human-environmental interactions and how we can improve our relationship with the environment around us.” We’re glad to have him on board!

Government Shutdown Delays Farmland Conservation

The conservation of several Upper Valley farm properties is on hold while the federal government is shut down. Miles Conklin, a Haverhill farmer, has been working with UVLT for more than two years, obtaining the necessary appraisal, grant contract, survey, and other documents. His 181-acre farm on Court Street was slated to be conserved late last spring. However, post-election restructuring of USDA procedures caused delays. By mid-summer, the transaction was back on track and closing documents received final approval from USDA's “internal control” on the day before shutdown. Unfortunately, the shutdown casts the completion of the project into uncertain territory again. Miles is not the only farmer who will be waiting. Craig Privett, Conservation Project Manager at UVLT, is working with other farmers who are affected. “We are eager to wrap these up as soon as USDA staff are back on the job.”

Celdara Brings More Hands to the Land

Employees from Celdara turned out ready and willing for a day of service to restore habitat at UVLT’s Pohl Conservation Area in Hartland. They removed a big chunk of invasive Glossy Buckthorn and Morrow’s Honeysuckle and filled 23 large construction bags full of non-native plants. Thank you to all involved!

UVLT is a proud partner of American Farmland Trust’s Land Transfer Navigators partnership. This national cohort of land protection professionals is building skills and strong networks to support retiring farmers and ranchers as they prepare to transfer their land and operations to aspiring producers. AFT caught up with Jason Berard, VP Stewardship at the Land Transfer Navigators in person training to hear how UVLT is bringing this work to our community. 

We have lots of exciting events coming up — be sure to check out our website to get the full list!

2nd Annual Cottonstone Mountain Hike
Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m.-noon
Join the Upper Valley Land Trust and the Orford Conservation Commission to take advantage of a special opportunity to visit this prominent peak in the Connecticut River Valley. The hike is about 3 miles long, with 800 feet in elevation gain—but the steep sections reward walkers with spectacular vistas, including southerly views of the iconic Fairlee/Orford Bridge and beyond. We’ll take breaks along the climb to share some of the natural wonders found along the way.

Of Owls and Acorns: A Spooky Forest and Wildlife Walk at Zebedee Wetland
Thursday, October 30, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join naturalist Holly Henderson for a spooky forest and wildlife walk along our Zebedee Wetland trail in Thetford, VT. We will light up our Zebedee trail with wildlife-themed jack-o-lanterns and lead a wildlife nature walk to see if we can find nocturnal animals like barred owls and bats. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes!

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

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