Saving a New Hampshire Treasure

Pine Barrens Eyed for Protection

By Roger Amsden
OSSIPEE — December 23, 2007 — An effort to protect one of New Hampshire’s most endangered ecosystems, the Ossipee Pine Barrens, is on the verge of obtaining $2.34 million in federal funds. The funds from the federal Forest Legacy program will enable The New Hampshire chapter of the Nature Conservacy to acquire and protect five tracts of land with 715 acres of high quality pine barrens habitat in Freedom, Madison and Ossipee.

The project was ranked second among more than 80 Forest Legacy proposals from all over the country and will enable the conservancy to bring the total of protected land in the Ossipee Pine Barrens to more than 5,900 contiguous acres.

“Five years ago, we didn’t dare dream that we could make so much progress so quickly,” said Daryl Burtnett, state director of The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the solid support of our congressional delegation, our partners in the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and the many local residents who’ve supported this project with dollars and encouragement,” said Burtnett.

Funds for the project are contained in the omnibus spending bill approved by the House and Senate this week, and which President Bush is expected to sign.

“The Ossipee Pine Barrens is one of the places that helps define New Hampshire’s special natural heritage,” said U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg. “It protects not only vital wildlife habitat, wetlands and a rare forest type but an important underground drinking water source and recreational opportunities for the people who live in this region of the state.”

U.S. Sen. John Sununu praised the efforts of the Nature Conservancy, saying that “the New Hampshire Chapter is to be commended for its role in preserving the Pine Barrens for generations to come.”

The Ossipee Pine Barrens campaign calls for protection of five tracts, all but one of which the Conservancy has already acquired: 25 acres in Madison; 170 acres in Freedom; 65 acres in Ossipee; 100 acres in Ossipee; and 355 acres between Silver Lake and Cook’s Pond in Madison, which the Conservancy has a contract to purchase later this month.

Additional funds for the Conservancy’s Ossipee Pine Barrens campaign include $300,000 from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program and $100,000 from the federal Landowner Incentive Program. Area residents, foundations and Nature Conservancy members and trustees have donated $1.13 million toward the campaign. The Conservancy still has about $68,000 left to raise.

The Ossipee Pine Barrens is a globally rare forest ecosystem of pitch pine and scrub oak that harbors rare plants, declining songbirds (such as whip-poor-will, Eastern towhee, brown thrasher and nighthawk) and 17 rare moth and butterfly species. The ecosystem is recognized as a top priority “conservation focus area” and “highest quality habitat” in the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Wildlife Action Plan, and is formally designated by New Hampshire Audubon as one of the state’s Important Bird Areas.

Burtnett said that in addition to saving New Hampshire’s rarest forest ecosystem, the conservation effort protects clean groundwater supplies for homes and businesses in Freedom, Madison, Ossipee and Tamworth. With its intact forest cover, the Ossipee Pine Barrens serves as a natural filter, ensuring good water quality for New Hampshire’s largest stratified drift aquifer. He said the largely flat and sandy habitat is highly vulnerable to residential and commercial development.

“The Conservancy has been conserving land here since 1988, but had to respond quickly during the last two years when a number of the most ecologically significant tracts were listed for sale.”

[N.H. Union Leader]

One Response

1. Ossipee Lake Alliance Says:
   December 23rd, 2007 at 2:19 pm

   The Nature Conservancy’s Ossipee Pine Barrens property is right across the lake from the Natural Area, and their preservation and stewardship efforts are described in an article in the N.H. Union Leader. Click on this link.

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