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Conservation Commission

Conservation and More

              by Bruce B. Beckley


Issue #56, November 24, 1998
Hawks, Doves, and Us

What’s your family like? If it’s like ours, you have some extroverts and a balance of introvert styles. Then of course there are families that are predominantly quiet and those that must be heard in a crowd. Our backyard is that way. The blue jays do the scolding and name calling while the little peeps go quietly about picking up the pieces under the feeders. There are a few in the area like the goshawk who don’t say much – they just are in the "I AM" category.

Looking at the town government, it’s like our backyard. You know which groups and folks wear which feathers. I guess we have our share of hawks and doves. Where would I put the ACC? Probably in the sparrow category – usually quietly going about our tasks without much noise, trying not to be too alienating. But feistiness isn’t out of the question.

As reported in the last issue of the Amherst Citizen other groups in town have presented master plans for their organizations. Lest it be forgotten, the ACC submitted its recommendations for the town early in the year in time for our master plan dreams to be included in the town’s master plan issued by the planning board last spring. We continue to work for those goals. What we haven’t done is to come forward with a million-dollar plan to acquire identified parcels of open land that are key components of the recommended greenways. Maybe we need more advocating but not aggravating blue jays to carry the message.

What are we doing? At the commission’s November meeting we acted on a typically broad spectrum of issues and programs:

  • Howard, the commission treasurer, reported on the status of the gift and land accounts. The first generates income and capital for program expenses and the latter receives gifts and land use change fees for land management and purchase. [Either ACC fund is ripe for your year-end giving plans.]
  • Jan described some of the special programs being run out of the Peabody Mill Center. Last month these ranged from a bus tour to introduce a dozen commission -managed trails to a no-school-day craft program for young people. Future programming includes X-C ski tours and holiday decoration making. [We are eager to work with other organizations in their program planning.]
  • Anne reported on a collaborative effort with the planning board to improve wetland protection from pollutants. She also brought to the members’ attention dredge and fill applications for pending developments.
  • John led a general discussion about future forest management actions. Members agreed that a location in Joe English Reservation which is devoid of understory would benefit from the type of forestry being practiced on the Haseltine Lot, soon to become a designated tree farm. A potential land or easement purchase on one of the greenways was discussed and supported within the limits of the land account.
  • Jan and Anne reported on generous gifts from two concerned and supportive corporations. PSNH donated many pieces of audio-visual equipment and display materials for use in our education programming. Pennichuck Waterworks is giving a substantial grant towards a study and classification of several hundred wetlands in the town.

We are making progress! We have a wonderfully supporting group of citizens. I believe we have people’s trust. Trust in our planning, programs and recommendations. We are making progress, but we are not staying abreast of the economy and town growth.

Coming back to the backyard and master plans…would the citizens under SB-2 voting support a million-dollar open space warrant article? Would you? We have not heard any early morning chorus of little peeps saying Yes! Go for it!. Should we?

Uncle Is Coming

We welcome tax deductible gifts to the ACC of land in fee or under a conservation easement. Appreciated securities, equipment for Peabody Mill Center, teaching and trail maintenance supplies, program sponsorship and professional services can all be used beneficially at any level of giving.

Please consider conservation in your year-end generosity. It ain’t just for the birds. Enjoy Thanksgiving. We on the ACC have so much to be thankful for and hope you do too.

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