Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust Newsletter

Fall 2012 Number 21

Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust Mission Statement “To preserve the quality of the natural resources, wildlife habitat, and beauty of

the Dan Hole Ponds watershed area for the benefit of the general public.”

The Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust Established in March 2000 as a 501(c) (3) tax exempt, publicly supported organization

Thurley Forest Acquisition Completed Thanks to Major Donation

In August The Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust announced completion of the “Thurley Forest Project” that conserves a 220-acre property for wildlife habitat in the Ossipee Mountains. Trust President Bob Pratt issued the following statement: “Because this site abuts 400 acres of land the Trust previously acquired for conservation, it means 600 contiguous acres in the southeastern portion of the Ossipees are now permanently protected for conservation and compatible public use. We completed the $200,000 land purchase project in under a year, thanks to generous donations from over 150 supporters, to grants we received from the Davis Conservation Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, and Fieldstone Foundation, and to a very special gift from Dr. Thomas Najarian of Incline City, Nevada.” In July Dr. Najarian very generously discharged the mortgage that he held, effectively making a $150,000 gift to the Trust. In all the Trust paid him just $50,000, plus interest on the loan for one year, to obtain the 220 acre property which has an appraised value of $242,000. Our project fundraising had received $81,000 in total contributions and we had spent $62,000 including all expenses. Dr Najarian’s gift has resulted in a surplus of $19,000 that has been added to our Land Protection Fund for future conservation projects.

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The Thurley Forest tract lies entirely in the upper reaches of the Ossipee Watershed, and supports a forest habitat that includes wildlife nesting sites, escape cover and food sources. The land will be open to the public for passive recreation such as hiking and snowshoeing, and for hunting It will be managed for sustainable forestry under a 20-year management plan.

The aquistion meets several goals of the Town of Ossipee Master Plan by protecting “unfragmented” land that is priority wildlife habitat. It also conserves lower elevation property within the Ossipee Mountains geologic “Ring Dike” that the Master Plan terms a unique geologic site and scenic resource. Additionally the acreage will generate economic activity for the region during sustainable timber harvests.

The Trust has worked with landowners, towns, and in partnership with private organizations to protect the natural land and water resources of the Ossipee Watershed. Through purchase and easements the Trust now protects over 800 acres of land in the Dan Hole Pond watershed area.

Trail Clearing and Boundary Marking Teams Make Headway During the warm weather months of 2012 teams of volunteers have made significant progress in identifying the boundary of the newly acquired Thurley Forest tract and have begun marking walking trails through the new property and linking it with the Gulf Brook and Thurley Mountain lands. Work was also done on Dan Hole Pond, and Red Brook Swamp properties. Many thanks to: Chet Berlin, Ralph Buchanan, Barbara Clark, Martha Copithorne, Anita Fahy,

Richard Fahy, Elizabeth Gillette, Carol Googins, Tim Nolin, Pavel Papelieav, Alix Pratt, Bob Pratt, Alexander Robertson, Laura Robertson, Tom Smith, Bob Sprafkin, Cristina Ullmann and Mark Wright for their efforts. Special thanks to Tim Brown for donating several gallons of special boundary and trail marking paint. Board Member Tim Nolan has used his skills to trace the boundaries and identify blazes and monuments throughout the three Thurley Mountain parcels.

Identifying boundaries and creating and maintaining trails are important parts of our property stewardship responsibility. If you would like to help out, contact Anita Fahy (dafahy@hotmail.com). She will add you to her volunteer roster and send you email alerts about volunteer activities.

Trail crew volunteers Alexander Robertson, Anita Fahy, Martha Copithorne, Bob Sprafkin and Alix Pratt

Trail crew at Dan Hole Pond Sign: Chet Berlin, Barbara Clarke, Pavel Papelieav, Tom Smith

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Loon Presentation at DHPWT Annual “Pot Luck” Gathering a Rousing and Interesting Success

Our Annual Membership meeting in mid-August offered great food, a lively loon talk, super Raffle prizes, and a rain-free guided hike to Camp Sentinel's "ledges." Thanks to Camp Sentinel's hospitality we had plenty of outdoor exhibit space plus indoor dining tables to hold the crowd of 60 who turned out. If you have not attended a Dan Hold Pond Watershed Trust Annual Meeting (held in late July or August) make a mental note to do so in 2013. We promise that you will eat well thanks to pot-luck savories that members bring and your conservation brain cells will be exercised by our always-excellent speakers.

Tiffany Grade, Squam Lake Project Biologist at the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) generously shared her expertise on loons which may be found on many NH lakes including Dan Hole Pond.

The talk outlined the early life of chicks as they learn the art of survival in a hostile environment, even when mankind intends to help by securing nesting platforms and locations. The young chicks that do survive the 28 day incubation period will ride on a parent’s

back for two weeks and then fend for themselves, becoming fully independent at 12 weeks. But the life of a loon is far from secure after independence. Threats abound from human disturbance around nests, from boat collisions, the second known cause of death for chicks, and from the real enemy – lead fishing tackle!

Fully 50% of adult loon mortalities collected by LPC were dead as the result of ingesting lead fishing tackle. This is particularly tragic because safe, non-toxic alternatives are available made from bismuth, tin, steel, or tungsten.

The LPC works “To preserve loons and their habitats in New Hampshire; to assess the health of loons and loon populations as an indicator of environmental health; and to encourage a greater appreciation for loons and the larger natural world.”

That Mission Statement has prompted four main avenues of action:

• Monitoring in 350 lakes in New Hampshire and monitoring every known nesting pair

• Research including banding, mortality research, threat analysis and studies of loon populations

• Management using artificial nest rafts, rope cordons and signs as well as water level management

• Outreach and education such as the talk presented to the Trust Meeting

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Thurley Forest Donation Listing Ron & Karen Adams Anonymous Robin Atwood Jeremy Bell & Elizabeth Pratt Cheston & Anne Berlin Frank & Ruth Bodurtha Boeing Corporation (Gary Fink match) Bubba & Seri Bowley Tim Brown Anne & Jeff Carr Tony & Joan Cardillo Mark Chag Henry P. Chandler, Jr. Ann Chase Harry Chouinard Barbara Clark Cecily Clark Neil & Pat Clark Sherren Clark Thomas Clark Ted Cook Charlotte & Herb Cooper Martha Copithorne Jim & Helena Creamer Gary Cuscia Alex & Charity Dahl Johanna & Mickey Dalton Alton & Pauline Davis Davis Conservation Foundation Dick & Kay Delaney Jennifer Delaney & Martin Fogarty Frank & Pauline De Ramer Carlton & Gail Dingman David Dingman & Sue McCoo James & Janet Dolan Rosemary & James Dolan Jane & Alan Dossett Dave & Noreen Downs Cedric H. Dustin, Jr. Diana Dutton Ellen & Douglas Eastman Roy Eldridge Edna Ellis Paul Erickson Dawn Evans Anita Fahy Carter Fahy Richard Fahy Tina Fahy Sarah Fallon Fields Pond Foundation Fieldstone Foundation Peter Fogarty

Barbara Fortune Betsy & Bill Frago Ken & Charlene Franz Edward & Christine Frese Mark Geppert Al Gerrish Elizabeth & Bob Gillette Bill & Chris Gimpel Maren Gimpel & Dan Small Dr. Michael Glick Mark Golden & Jill Charney Melvin & Josephine Gonsalves Brent & Sharon Goodrich Darren Goodrich Jill Goodrich & JohnMahoney Paul Goodrich Robert & Carol Googins Donna Gridley & John Iveson Mark & Debra Gridley Ann Hackl Carol & Mark Hannigan Jo-Ann Harding Robert & Josephine Henderson Gardner Hendrie & Karen Johansen Raeburn & Patricia Hodgdon Dorothy Holden Jeannine Holden Judy Hosman Art & Tillie Johansen Ellen & Francis Laase John C.B. LeGates Donna Lietz Jeff Loftus Nancy Loud Anne Lundberg Maryann Lynch Jan & Chris Mabley Willard (Bud) Martin Jim & Cathy Marusak MaryBeth McAllister & Dennis Chesley Bill McClure James McKay Betsy & Dan Mena Brad Mena John & Catherine Mersfelder Gretchen Meyers Virginia Mills Jennifer Molin John Monaghan Alan Moore Deborah Moore Meredith Morgan Dr. Thomas Najarian & Sue Unkel

Tim & Carly Nolin Emily & Frank O’Hara Katie O’Rourke Laura & Nile Oldham Bruce & Kathleen Parsons Richard Perkins Ed & Suz Person Tyler B. Phillips Dana & Carolyn Pope Paul Poyant Alix & Bob Pratt Lara Pratt & Bob McNally Robert Pustell 2011 Annual Mtg Raffle James Richardson John & Wendy Richardson Paul & Julie Robbins Carl Schaub Susan Schuur Jim Scott Peg Scully John Simms Charles W. Smith Tom Smith & Joann Bodurtha Margaret Stewart Adam Stockman Bill Stockman Marie Stockwell Ellie & Emery Stokes Sally & Bill Stoops Ron & Carolyn Sundquist Dave & Merrill Tanner David & Phyllis Tela Bob Teichman Robert & Joan Theve Kate Thompson Cristina & Andrew Ullmann John & Kathleen Ullmann Rick Van de Poll Dennis & Diane Vetree Frona Brooks Vickesll Warren & Tensy Walker Richard & Louise Wedge Mahlon & Meadow Welch White Mountain Survey Dr. & Mrs. Headley S. White, Jr Steve Wingate Jenny Witherell & Pavel Pepelieav Tim & Rebecca Wolfe Barbara & Irwin Wood Mark & Jane Wright

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2012 Membership ContributorsRon & Karen Adams Edward Allen American Youth Foundation Robin Atwood Vanessa Banyas Ted & Gloria Belastock Robert & Ruth Benker Cheston & Anne Berlin Ruth & Frank Bodurtha Richard Bodurtha Tim Brown Tony & Joan Cardillo Jeff & Anne Carr Mark A. & Deborah Chag Henry Chandler Anne C Chase Harry E. Chouinard Tom Clark & Kaoru Takahashi Neil & Pat Clark Barbara Clark Jim, Penny, Jimmy & Jillian Conway Martha Copithorne & Robert Sprafkin Penelope Curtis Gary Cuscia & Teri Veasey Alex & Charity Dahl Alton & Pauline Davis Jennifer Delaney & Martin Fogarty Dick Delaney Denise & Dick Devlin Gail & Carlton Dingman David Dingman & Sue McCoo Cedric Dustin William & Rhonda Earle Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Eastman Thomas & Joyce Enwright Peter Espiefs Albert & Christine Estes Dawn & Lane Evans Anita B. Fahy Richard Fahy Carter & Lisa Fahy Robert & Marge Fink Gary & Ann Fink Betsy & Bill Frago Edward & Christine Frese Mark Geppert Elizabeth & Bob Gillette Maren Gimpel & Dan Small Bill & Chris Gimpel

Robert Gimpel Michael Glick Mark Golden & Jill Charney Melvin & Josephine Gonsalves Paul Goodrich & Shannon Sperry Sharon & Brent Goodrich Darren & Mindy Goodrich Jill & John Goodrich-Mahoney Carol & Bob Googins Mark & Debra Gridley Donna Gridley & John Iveson Elizabeth & Dennis Hager Carol & Mark Hannigan Jean Hansen Jaye Hayes Gardner Hendrie & Karen Johansen Joe & Ann Hobbs Raeburn & Patricia Hodgdon Scott & Jeannine Holden Dorothy Holden Halsted Holman & Diana Dutton Judy Hosman Edith & Victor Ialeggio Ted Jednak Arthur & Charlotte Johansen Pat Jones Wayne & Suzanne Keene Dean & Sue Killam John C.B. & Nancy LeGates Donna Lietz James Loftus & Renee Wilson Nancy Loud Anne Lundberg Jan & Chris Mabley Bill & Susan McClure Barbara & Clark A McClure Dan & Betsy Mena Gretchen Meyers Gordon P. Mills Virginia Mills Jennifer Molin John J. Monaghan, Jr. Alan Moore Deborah Moore Tim & Carly Nolin Emily & Frank O'Hara Bev & Dave Olean Bruce & Kathy Parsons Cecil & Judith Patrick

Richard Perkins Ed & Suz Person Robert Peterson Tyler B Phillips Paul Poyant Alix & Bob Pratt Elizabeth Pratt & Jeremy Bell Lara Pratt & Bob McNally Robert J. Pustell John Putnam Warren & Dorothy Ramsdell Wendy Richardson Paul & Julie Robbins Noel & Laura Robertson Geno & Ellen Romanelli Cesar Salgado & Lauren Ruggiero Susan Schuur Jim Scott Peg Scully Charles W. Smith Craig & Gale Smith Tom Smith & Joann Bodurtha Sharon J. Spittle & Jen Morrison Margaret A Stewart Bill & Kathy Stockman Adam Stockman Ellie & Emery Stokes Bill & Sally Stoops David & Merrill Tanner Bob Teichman Phyllis & David Tela Robert & Joan Theve Katharine Thompson Cristina & Andrew Ullmann John & Kathleen Ullmann Dennis & Diane Vetree Warren & Tensy Walker Patricia Watts Richard & Louise Wedge Dr. and Mrs Headly White Jr. Jenny Witherell Nancy Witherell & Tom Check Mark & Jane Wright

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Special Memorial Gifts Received During this Period In Memory of Kay Delaney

Frank & Ruth Bodurtha Richard Bodurtha Richard Delaney David & Sue Dingman Sarah Fallon Donna Gridley Carol Hannigan Dorothy Holden Scott & Jeannine Holden Deborah Loftus Jeff Loftus & Renee Wilson Alix & Bob Pratt Bob Teichman

In Memory of Paul Daly David & Sue Dingman Dorothy Holden Bob Teichman

In Memory of Ann Hobbs Alix & Bob Pratt Martha Copithorne & Bob Sprafkin

Membership Goal for 2012-13 Since the Trusts inception in 2000 the all-volunteer Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust has had a loyal cadre of supporters who have generously contributed for specific conservation projects and have also become part of the Trust as annual supporting members.

These members have provided critical financial support with their yearly membership contributions which have paid for our very minimal routine operating expenses but are substantially used to add to our Land Protection Fund – ready to be used for the next project. That is how we were able to act quickly to initiate the Gulf Brook project and the Thurley Forest purchases. As is always the case when a project is completed, we need to replenish the Land Protection Fund. We will again

assign almost all of this year’s membership contributions to the Fund. Please renew your membership as generously as possible.

During the past year over 190 persons or families supported the Trust through membership contributions and/or Thurley Forest project contributions. We want to sustain and expand that level of support into the future. We continue to have a goal of 200 sustaining members. Please send your membership contribution today by using the form on the back page of the Newsletter.

Ensuring the Preservation of the Trust Through Estate Planning One way that members and friends of the DHPWT can help ensure the continued viability of the Trust is to remember the DHPWT Land Protection Fund in conjunction with estate planning. A bequest to the fund will provide an enduring a legacy for future generations.

Dawn Evans Resigns from Board and Jennifer Delaney Elected as New Board Member The Board has selected Jennifer Delaney to fill the vacancy created when Dawn Evans resigned from the Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust Board because of a career change with new responsibilities and demands on her time at the Remick Farm/Museum in Tamworth NH. Over the years Dawn has provided valuable insight into conservation practices followed in areas neighboring The Dan Hole Pond watershed and was a valued contributor to the work of the Trust.

Jennifer is a longtime summer resident in Roland Park and has been coming to

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the area since she can remember: “I was three months old the first time my Dad took me in the water in Little Dan, and in all of my travels I have never found a better spot to swim. Going in the lakes, both Big and Little, is something I dream about on snowy winter nights and look forward to all year.”

She is currently the Executive Director of Positive Tracks, a Youth Entrepreneurship program to empower young people to give back to their communities. Prior to joining Positive Tracks, she was the founding Executive Director of Global Action for Children in Washington DC, where she led numerous advocacy efforts to improve the lives of children throughout the world.

She has studied journalism and public policy and has experience with organizational start up, fund raising, and public policy advocacy.

The board welcomes Jennifer and we look forward to utilizing here varied experience and many talents in the ongoing work of the Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust.

Rope Swing Removed from Dan Hole Pond Property Vigilant members of the Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust reported an elaborately constructed rope swing on the shore of the Dan Hole Pond property this summer, not far from the large sign announcing that the property is owned and protected by the Trust. The swing had been constructed by limbing out some trees and erecting twelve foot boards between three trees fastened together with long metal bolts. A rope dangled out over the water from the

bolted frame. The rope could be reached by climbing onto a large bolder. This activity was causing erosion on the moss-covered bank on the climb up to the bolder.

Although kids were enjoying the swing, it appears to have been built by skilled adults. For several reasons the Trust determined that the swing had to be removed:

• First, we were concerned about liability in case of injury. Even if we had not created the hazard, by allowing it to persist the Trust might be considered responsible.

• Secondly, a conservation easement on the property held by The Nature Conservancy prohibits cutting of trees, construction of any kind, and any activity that would cause soil erosion. This conserved property is open to the public for outdoor recreation such as hiking, show shoeing, and hunting, but not for activities that would create a hazard or damage the land.

In view of the above, several Trust members helped remove the swing and retrieve the lumber. The lumber will now be used to make more signs to help protect this and other Trust properties!

We are grateful that Trust members saw the swing and reported it to the trustees. We hope that members and others will continue to watch over all the Trust’s properties that you have worked so hard to conserve.

Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust P.O. Box 8 Center Ossipee, NH 03814

Danholepondtrust@gmail.com

DHPWT Trustees Bob Pratt, President Elizabeth Gillette, Vice President Barbara Clark, Secretary Martha Copithorne, Treasurer Tim Brown Jennifer Delaney Carlton Dingman Anita Fahy Tim Nolin Bill Stockman Cristina Ullmann Mark Wright ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Make your tax deductible contributions payable to Dan Hole Pond Watershed Trust, and send your check with this form to: DHPWT, PO Box 8, Center Ossipee, NH, 03814-008 Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2012! r $25 r $50 r $75 r $100 r $200 r Other____________

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