New Town Forest for Albany, NH
Albany, New Hampshire - 01/30/2012
Land for a new town forest has been purchased and conserved for the Town of Albany, N.H., The Trust for Public Land, the State, and the Town announced today. At the junction of two intersecting national scenic byways, the 310 acres of land will remain intact, preserving the views entering the White Mountain National Forest, which attracts more than 6 million visitors annually. The town’s purchase of 310 acres establishes the Albany Town Forest, which will generate revenue through sustainable timber harvesting while offering public access for recreation and connections to more than a mile of Swift River frontage. The project also sets aside 6.7 acres for use as a future Albany town center.
“Acquiring this property for a town forest is a rich investment both for Albany and for the region,” said Rodger Krussman, The Trust for Public Land’s New Hampshire state director. “Town forests are a strong model for sustaining jobs, town revenue, and tourism. Albany’s new town forest will enhance the local economy and support recreation and tourism, and The Trust for Public Land is pleased to have played our part in helping Albany achieve its goals.”
With substantial stands of northern hardwoods, red oak, hemlock, and white pine, the Town of Albany now has a sustainable asset for investing in other community priorities, including the establishment of a new town center.
“We would like to thank the citizens of Albany for their continued support of this project. After 4 years of effort, the Town of Albany will have a 300 acre town forest to provide both open space, recreation and natural resources for the townspeople, area residents and visitors,” said Rob Nadler, Albany Land Governance Board. “The successful purchase would have not been possible without the help from the seller, the Kennett Company, whose continued patience and accommodation over 4 years of difficult fund raising has helped make this project a reality.”
“This project is the culmination of the vision and perseverance of Albany's community leaders. After 4 years of working with public and private partners, I am thrilled to have played a part in helping establish the Albany Town Forest,” said Ray Burton, New Hampshire Executive Councilor. “I would like to personally thank the dedicated staff of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for helping attract federal transportation dollars to this effort and working closely with the Town of Albany throughout this process.”
Funding for the $800,000 purchase of the Albany Town Forest property included $250,000 from the federal Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) were strong supporters of the project, which has been underway since 2009. Additional funding included $149,000 from the Town of Albany, as approved by voters in March, 2010; $145,000 from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP); a $150,000 grant from the Open Space Institute’s Community Forest Fund; and funding from the New Hampshire Conservation Plate Program, and private donors.
“This crucial tract of land serves as the gateway to the White Mountains for the 2 million people who drive on the Kancamagus Byway each year during their visits to the region. The acquisition will increase public access for recreation in Albany and protect important scenic views,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “In addition to the significant impacts this project will have on outdoor recreation opportunities and the economic activity they generate in Albany, conserving the property will protect important wildlife habitat and water quality in the Swift River. This is great news for Albany and I offer my congratulations to the town and its partners: the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and The Trust for Public Land.”
“Often referred to as the ‘eastern gateway,’ an estimated 2 million visitors drive on the byways into the national forest each year,” said Sen. Ayotte. “These visitors not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also are key contributors to the region's economy. This acquisition will expand public access to recreational resources while protecting scenic views.”
“We are grateful to our many partners, including the State of New Hampshire, New Hampshire congressional delegation, the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, private donors, and of course, the Town of Albany,” added Krussman.
LCHIP is an independent state authority that makes matching grants to N.H. communities and non-profits to conserve and preserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources. Through this investment program every $1 in state investment brings back more than five times local, private, federal funds.
“LCHIP is delighted with the success of this project. We salute the vision and perseverance of the Town of Albany in conceiving of this acquisition and finally making it a reality with the help of carefully selected and skilled partners. In addition to the many ecological, economic, recreational and community benefits of the acquisition, the view across the open fields toward the Presidentials, one of the scenic treasures of the White Mountains, will now be protected forever. The investment of state dollars through LCHIP has had a truly significant impact,” said Dijit Taylor, LCHIP Executive Director.
“N.H. Fish and Game is pleased to support the Town and assist The Trust for Public Land in the success of the Albany Town Forest project. The project maintains a significant cold water fishery by protecting more than 8,000 feet along the Swift River, and the property conserves valuable wildlife resources with its floodplain forest, grassland, and woodland habitats,” said Charlie Bridges, Habitat & Diversity Programs administrator, N.H. Fish and Game Department.
“In addition, the project’s scenic value is outstanding, and public pedestrian access to the land and its resources is forever secured. The commitment of the citizens of the small town of Albany to the success of this project is truly inspirational.”
A conservation easement for the majority of the property has been conveyed to the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, which will manage the terms of the easement.
“As a Kennett High School student in the 1960's I ran and skied along the Swift River assuming that this beautiful forest would always be here. With 40 years hindsight it is particularly rewarding to see this assumption realized,” said Tom Earle, Upper Saco Valley Land Trust president. “Congratulations to the citizens of Albany for recognizing the promise that this property holds as a town forest, as a place of recreation, and as the gateway of our much loved Kancamagus Highway. Thank you to all who have contributed their time and finances to help realize this vital conservation achievement. The Upper Saco Valley Land Trust looks forward to a strong partnership with the Town of Albany in stewarding this forest for this and all the generations to come.”
The property is at the junction of two national scenic byways, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway and the White Mountain Trail, which together feed access to the eastern gateway to the White Mountain National Forest. In addition to providing revenue to the town through sustainable harvesting, the town forest has important wildlife habitat, including floodplain forests that support migratory birds, globally imperiled Pine Barrens, and grasslands. The access to the Swift River, a major Saco River tributary, provides connections to a top fishery and valuable fishing resource. And the Albany Town Forest will maintain fishing, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling trails and access.
“By establishing a Town Forest, the citizens of Albany will directly steward and benefit from the resources of their forest through productive forestry, water quality protection and conservation of wildlife habitat,” said Jennifer Melville, Open Space Institute. “It is a remarkable victory for this vibrant community.”
“The Albany Town Forest project was also supported by Tom Wagner, Forest Supervisor for the White Mountain National Forest, N.H. Executive Councilor Ray Burton, Chuck Henderson and the staff of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Sean Thomas and the staff of U.S. Congressman Frank Guinta, and the staff of the N.H. Department of Transportation. And finally, the project would not have been possible without the dedicated work and effort of Gregg Caporossi, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land,” added Nadler.
Over the last decade, The Trust for Public Land has worked with New England communities to conserve more than 24,000 acres of community forests in 12 communities as part of its Community Forest Program, and as part of its partnership with the Community Forest Collaborative. TPL depends on the support of individuals, foundations, and corporations. Over 25 years in New Hampshire, TPL has protected more than 230,000 acres.
