Leading by Example Highlights & Annual Report. Open land and farming communities help preserve rural character

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1 2016 Highlights & Annual Report Together, protecting forever the land we love Leading by Example Open land and farming communities help preserve rural character When Carl Querfurth and Tory McCagg bought their 194-acre property in Jaffrey, conserving the land and seeing it farmed were top priorities. The previous owners mowed the fields every year, but Carl and Tory wanted more. We wanted to see the land producing and feeding our community, Tory says. Continued next page Emily Hague

2 Leading by Example, continued Many landowners, like Carl and Tory, aren t farmers themselves but would love to see their land used for farming. The problem is they don t know whom to contact. Fortunately, Carl and Tory connected with neighbors Hugh and Terry Landis, who are now growing vegetables on Carl and Tory s land for their CSA farm. Linking farmers who need land with landowners is where the Conservancy and several other local nonprofit partners (Cheshire County Conservation District, Land for Good, Russel Farm and Forest Conservation Foundation, UNH Cooperative Extension) are playing a new role. In Marlborough, another great partnership has formed between the Howe family and Mayfair Farm, who raise sheep and maple sugar on the Howe s conserved Whippoorwill Farm. Using conserved land is a great option for farmers in search of additional space. Like Carl and Tory and the Howes, the landowners are typically very willing, the land is well cared for and it s more affordable. The Conservancy has been steadfast in protecting agricultural lands over the past decade. Now, thanks to more and more community support, we are excited to be a connector as well, helping new farmers succeed while we increase the pace of conservation. Farmland a priority Whether the land and water are used for growing vegetables and fruits, hay, raising dairy or beef cows or other livestock, farming is part of our region s history and culture. The Conservancy wants to see that continue, providing food, jobs and a rural way of life in our communities. One of our land protection staff positions is now dedicated to farmland., conservation project manager, spends a lot of her time on the land and talking to people. It s the best way to find out what our local farmers need and how we can help. So many farmers and conservation landowners want the legacy of farming on their land to continue, she says. Through Stacy s work, the number of farmland projects has increased significantly, and nearly $2 million in grants has been secured to help pay for these often expensive projects (the average cost of protecting farmland is $2,000 per acre). Securing long-term access to enough land is a huge challenge for farmers. Few can afford to own all the acreage they need, and most rely on leased land to meet their needs. Conservation can help open new doors between landowners and farmers. With your continued support, just imagine what the future could bring. A strong, local economy that supports agriculture and maintains open space in our region. Neighbors connected and resources shared. More farmers at work. Want to learn more about farmland protection? Read about our recently completed projects on pages 4 and 5. 4 adults Veggies Sheep 2 Katrina Farmer

3 Thank You! Your support protects so many places As a nonprofit land trust, the Monadnock Conservancy relies on supporters and community members like you who give their time, talent and treasure to local land conservation. You help protect our scenic landscapes, rich farmland, wildlife habitat, clean water and forests. Thank you for your generosity and commitment. You make conservation happen, right here, close to home. If you would like to see a list of all individual, business, organizational and foundation donors as well as volunteers and legacy society members, please visit our website at MonadnockConservancy.org for the online version of this annual report. You can also sign up for our Facebook page and share your passion for the outdoors while you are there. View the full list of donors and volunteers please see pages 8 to 14. Volunteers Keep Us Moving Forward We are so grateful for their ongoing help Our 50 volunteer land stewards are essential in helping care for all of our conserved lands. They walk the boundaries of 230 properties, ensuring conservation agreements are upheld and keeping landowners connected with the Monadnock Conservancy. We are so grateful to these wonderful people who show up every single year. This year, a new group of volunteers joined us for our Kids Connect! Fun on the Farm program. They led activities, prepared snacks and were role models for the children, many of whom were on a farm for the first time. Finally, there are so many people who make our Annual Celebration and other events happen each year. It s a special person who makes our event attendees feel welcome, helps with set up and/or clean up, and so much more. Thank you to all our volunteers! Would you like to volunteer with us? We re looking for you! To become a land steward or to help in other ways kids programs, events or office projects please contact Melissa Whittemore, office manager, at Melissa@MonadnockConservancy. org or , ext I was new to volunteering... and the experience was incredible! Being in nature, working with kids and connecting with new people. Karen Graveline, Troy Katrina Farmer 3

4 It s because of YOU. Eight more places now protected forever. Nearly 1,000 additional acres were protected in 2016 from hayfields and floodplain forests to beaver ponds and recreation areas. The more you and your friends and neighbors join together to celebrate these special places and share their stories, the more others will be inspired to do the same. We invite you to read these stories and then pass along your copy to someone who may be interested in learning more about land conservation. ANTRIM Fox Run Farm The Platt family has owned this land since 1960, running a dairy operation for a half century and now raising cattle for sale to other farms. About 20 of the 53 acres are hay and corn fields, and the remainder is forested. Future generations of farmers will benefit from the prime soils and nearly 3/4 of a mile of Contoocook River frontage. SWANZEY Ballou Farm This 28-acre farm includes pastoral hayfields, unique floodplain forest and extensive frontage on the Ashuelot River. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, the property s lower fields will be restored to their former floodplain forest. The upland fields (11 acres) will continue to be hayed, maintaining local agricultural traditions. JAFFREY Mountain Brook Reservoir In 2003, Herb and Colette Gramm donated a conservation easement on this property. Years later, when they wanted more assurance that the land along Mountain Brook Reservoir would remain open for recreation, they decided to donate the 77 acres outright. It s a great place to take a relaxing walk on the shoreline trail or enjoy the scenic beauty from a canoe or kayak. KEENE/SWANZEY/ CHESTERFIELD West Hill, Otter Pond Camp & Dragon Lot This conservation success was a long time coming, and now a total 688 acres of wild land will always provide homes for wildlife, such as moose, beaver, black bear and great blue heron, as well as several unique plant communities. All three properties fall within the California Brook Natural Area, a large block of undeveloped land in the California Brook watershed that stretches from Keene s West Hill to Pisgah State Park. WALPOLE Hooper Many treasure the Hooper land, a beautiful historic golf course and forest, and want to keep the 131 acres intact. Many also thought a land trust could never buy a conservation easement on a golf course. But the passion the community showed convinced the Walpole select board, who own the property, and the Monadnock Conservancy to join forces. Now conserved, the property will remain undeveloped, and locals who sled, ski and walk will always be welcome. Anne McBride Emily Hague Lund This rich farmland along the Cold River in Walpole will remain part of the area s long agricultural history thanks to owner Perley Lund Jr. Perley s love of the land and of farming was a big part of his motivation to protect the 9-acre field. He currently leases it to John and Teresa Janiszyn of Pete s Stand to grow vegetables. 4 5

5 Creating New Connections Caring about people as well as the land You probably remember one of your first experiences in the outdoors gardening, hiking, paddling, camping. But what about children today? As more people plug in to technology, connection with place is diminishing. With that in mind, the Monadnock Conservancy, along with new volunteers and new partners such as Keene Housing Kids Collaborative, launched Kids Connect! Fun on the Farm, a program for connecting children to nature in ways that create joyful and meaningful experiences. We are also dedicated to providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to connect with each other and the land. Last year, that included hikes, films, a history-themed bus tour and a work day to pull invasive plants. It s with your support and our many partners that our community is becoming a more vibrant place to live, work and play. Katrina Farmer An Equation for Better Health Providing places to exercise outside The Cheshire Walkers, a group of seniors coordinated by Cheshire Medical Center, hiked at the Calhoun Family Forest in Gilsum last September. It was a chance to have fun, exercise and get the feel-good perks of being outside. It s also one of many steps Cheshire Medical Center is taking to connect people with free resources to help them take control of their health and wellbeing. Now the Monadnock Conservancy is joining the effort by providing walking and hiking destinations and group outings that are safe, scenic and comfortable for all abilities. It s a great reminder of the role land conservation can play in supporting healthy communities. 6 Dan Most

6 Celebrate Conservation Each Month Monthly donors make conservation happen yearround. Monthly giving is a great way to have a big impact, no matter the size of your gift. The automatic payments also mean no more solicitation letters, just our abundant thanks! It s easy and safe, and it provides a way to spread your support over the entire year. To find out more about how you can support local conservation efforts, or to become a monthly donor, please contact Jenny Zaso at Jenny@MonadnockConservancy.org or call her at , ext If you want to set up your monthly gift today, simply choose the Donate Now button at MonadnockConservancy.org. Thank you for your dependable support. View the full list of donors and volunteers please see pages 8 to 14. Every Day, Making a Difference It is the financial support from donors like you that enables us to permanently protect forests and farms here in the Monadnock region, to care for the lands we own, to offer programs for diverse populations and to connect people with the out-of-doors. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Monadnock Conservancy had an operating surplus of nearly $100,000, as shown below. In addition, we received additional support from $480,100 in donations for land and easement purchases and $1,444,184 in donations and bequests to special-purpose funds. We re so grateful for such generosity. Thank you to the monthly donors of 2016 Income Individual donations $302,378 Program-specific funds $190,624 Foundation & government grants $150,172 Investments & endowments $144,267 Program services $5,316 Total $792,757 Stephen H. Gehlbach Supporting conservation here where we live is important to us. Giving monthly makes budgeting easier. It s a win-win! Stan and Debbie Hutchings, Walpole Expenses Program services $437,284 Fundraising * $175,024 Administration $86,014 Total $698,322 *In addition to the above operating expenses, the Monadnock Conservancy spent $902,143 to purchase conservation easements. Thus, fundraising represented 11 percent of total expenses for the year. The Monadnock Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. These unaudited figures reflect the 2016 fiscal year (October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016). Complete audited financial statements will be available upon request; please contact Ryan Owens, executive director, at Ryan@ MonadnockConservancy.org or , ext

7 Thank YOU for your generous support. It s because of you that farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and clean water in our communities are protected. Giving key To especially recognize our new and loyal donors First-time w 10-plus years n 20-plus years m 8 These gifts were received between January 1, 2016, and December 31, We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions. Please contact Jenny Zaso, development director, if you have any corrections. Thank you. Norman Spicher

8 Thank you! 9

9 Thank you! Katrina Farmer Giving key To especially recognize our new and loyal donors First-time w 10-plus years n 20-plus years m 10

10 Thank you! Katrina Farmer 11

11 Thank you! Giving key To especially recognize our new and loyal donors First-time w 10-plus years n 20-plus years m 12

12 Thank you! Emily Hague The Monadnock Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 13

13 Volunteers Our programs would not be possible without the generosity of this growing team of volunteers. Their personal commitment to support local land conservation makes a big difference. THANK YOU to all our volunteers! Would you like to volunteer with us? If you are interested in giving your time or talent, please contact Jenny Zaso, development director, at Jenny@MonadnockConservancy.org or , ext. 113 Rick Brackett 14

14 Norman Spicher Would you like to leave a legacy of conservation? If you are interested in joining our legacy society, please contact Jenny Zaso, development director, at Jenny@MonadnockConservancy.org or , ext Please also contact her if you have already included the Conservancy in your estate plans so we may thank you and add your name to this list. 15

15 Together, protecting forever the land we love PO Box 337 Keene, NH Founded in 1989, the Monadnock Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation land trust working with you and your neighbors in 35 towns throughout the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stephen H. Gehlbach president, Jaffrey Monica Lehner vice president, Greenfield Drew Landry treasurer, Harrisville Victoria Reck Ames secretary, Swanzey James Beard, Lempster Swift Corwin, Peterborough Kenneth Goebel, Swanzey John H. Hann, Winchester Betsey Harris, Peterborough Paul M. Kotila, Fitzwilliam Steven Larmon, Keene Charles Massin, Fitzwilliam Peggy Pschirrer, Walpole W. Bridges Smith, Peterborough Hillary Workman, Dublin The elusive feel of one place exists in that intersection of political and family history, landscape, destiny, expectations, weather and time. Howard Mansfield, author Anne McBride STAFF Ryan Owens executive director, Walpole Anne McBride land protection director, Nelson conservation project manager, Keene Rick Brackett stewardship manager, Fitzwilliam Jennifer Zaso development director, Keene Katrina Farmer communications manager, Harrisville Melissa Whittemore office manager, Keene Want to find out about new projects, family-friendly hikes and community events throughout the year? Sign up online for our e-newsletters and Facebook. 100% post-consumer recycled paper Printed with soy-based inks