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Campaign to Protect Trout Pond (NH)

Photo by: Friends of Trout Pond

Rural surroundings, clean air and water, outdoor recreational opportunities, the abundance of wildlife, and the exceptional landscape are some of the many reasons for residing in the Carroll County region of New Hampshire. Forests and open space are cherished features of the region and valued economic assets to the community. With the abundance of new residential and second-home development in the Ossipee Lake region, our rural country setting is in jeopardy. New Hampshire is losing 10,000 acres of forested land a year, and the lands that we have enjoyed for years are being threatened.

Berries flourish around the Trout Pond area. Photo: Friends of Trout Pond

In the towns of Freedom and Madison, New Hampshire, a 2,600-acre parcel of mostly wooded land, known locally as the Trout Pond property, is threatened with high-density residential development. This property is the largest parcel of undeveloped land remaining in Freedom, and is situated over the largest stratified drift aquifer in the state. Located within the Ossipee Watershed, the property includes the 21-acre pristine Trout Pond, Jackman Ridge, and Mary's Mountain. The parcel abuts the Nature Conservancy's West Branch Pine Barrens and the Madison Town Forest. A 58-acre parcel abutting the Trout Pond lands, known as the Stokes property, has already been acquired and is being held for inclusion in this project. Protecting this wooded site will form a roughly 5,000 acre corridor of contiguous open space and conservation lands.

The Friends of Trout Pond, Green Mountain Conservation Group, and the Trust for Public Land secured a purchase and sales agreement with the landowner of the Trout Pond property in March 2004 to acquire the land for permanent conservation. The total cost of the project including purchase price, project costs and stewardship endowment is $2.3 million. We have until March 2005 to fulfill our obligation for this purchase.

The Trout Pond land provides many benefits:

Beaver dam at the pond. Photo: Friends of Trout Pond

Fish and Wildlife Habitat

The abundant streams, ponds, and wetlands on the property support a diverse array of creatures. Fish species include brook trout, horned pout, shiners and smelt. Beavers have a presence on all of the watercourses on the tract. According to a local biologist, the entire property also serves as a migratory bird stopover between Ossipee Lake and the Brownfield Bog in Maine.

The property is rife with oak, beech, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry providing outstanding food resources for black bears. Other wildlife that benefit from these tree species include turkeys, small mammals, and songbirds, The property's prolific conifer stands also provide excellent habitat for fisher and winter yarding habitat for deer and moose. The property's mixed forests and northern hardwood stands support many of the aforementioned species, as well as bobcat, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, snowshoe hare, fox, coyote, weasel, hawks, turkey, grouse, and owls.

Sustainable Forest

Managing this land as open space rather than for residential development stabilizes the tax base for the community as there are limited costs associated with maintaining unoccupied tracts of land. The Town of Freedom plans to carve out 200 acres of the 2,600-acre property for future municipal purposes. Overall, the property offers potential for sustainable forest management and would remain in productive forestry.

Trails for Recreation

The land presently has a network of existing dirt roads and trails leading across the pine barrens toward Trout Pond, Mary's Mountain, Stacy Mountain, and Blazo Mountain. All provide fascinating hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and other recreational activities. Furthermore, existing trails already connect with trails on adjacent conserved lands, providing access to scenic views at Goe Hill and Bald Ledge. The short trail up Mary's Mountain near Trout Pond provides a wonderful hike suitable for families. In addition, a network of trails and roads on the property have been popular for snowmobiling and mountain biking for many years.

Scenic Views

The area surrounding Trout Pond has fine views of this 21-acre pond, nearby views of 1,400-foot Stacy Mountain, and distant views of the 2,000-ft Ossipee Mountain Range. Distant views of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range can be enjoyed from the broad valley formed by Cold Brook. The ledge at the top of Mary's Mountain offers exquisite 180-degree views to the south.

Hunting, Fishing, and Boating

The property is used by a large number of hunters for deer, bear, birds, and small game. Trout Pond is a popular fishing destination. It is stocked with brook trout and also supports smelt, horned pout, and shiners. The beaver ponds along Cold Brook -and Cold Brook itself-also support trout, as well as bass and sunfish. Local fishers report that most trout caught in this area range from 6-17 inches. Trout Pond also offers opportunities for use with small boats and canoes.

Funding Sources

Thanks to the leadership of U.S. Senator Judd Gregg and the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation, $1.2 million for the purchase of the Trout Pond property has made the President's 2005 budget request and, if approved by Congress, would be allocated through the NH Forest Legacy Program. An additional $250,000 was awarded from the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) in 2003, and the Friends of Trout Pond already have commitments of $100,000. Further funding is anticipated at Freedom's town meeting in March 2005. Our goal is to raise an additional $400,000 in gifts and pledges by the end of December 2004.

How You Can Help

Your support will help leave a legacy in Freedom that will last for generations. Private funds will play a critical role in conserving Trout Pond. Please join your neighbors in making Trout Pond part of your legacy. Your donation, which is entirely tax-deductible, will help make this goal possible. Contributions can be sent to the Friends of Trout Pond at P.O. Box 259, Freedom, NH 03836 or to The Trust for Public Land at 33 Union Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. Please make checks payable either to the "Friends of Trout Pond" or "The Trust for Public Land" and note on your check that your gift is for the "Trout Pond project." Please print out the gift pledge form attached as a PDF at the bottom of this page.

The Partners

A local group of people formed the Friends of Trout Pond when they saw a chance to protect a large piece of land that was planned for large-scale housing development. The mission of the Friends of Trout Pond is to facilitate the procurement of the Trout Pond property for the purpose of preserving open space in the towns of Freedom and Madison, New Hampshire.

The Green Mountain Conservation Group (GMCG) is a non-profit, charitable organization established in 1997 and dedicated to the preservation of the natural resources in the Ossipee Watershed. Through education and advocacy we strive to promote an awareness and appreciation of our natural resources and encourage a commitment to protect them. For more information, visit www.gmcg.org.

Posted 6/2004

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FILE ATTACHMENTS:

Campaign to Protect Trout Pond Pledge Form