Location
New Boston, NH

Size
Alexander Clark Easement - 75 Acres
Winfield Clark Easement - 24 Acres
Combined - 99 Acres

Year Protected
2008

Benefits
Protection of Wetlands, Ponds and Wildlife Corridors
Connection with existing and future conservation lands in highly pressured area of New Boston

Key Features
Working Forest of White Pine, Hemlock, Oak and Beech
Beaver impoundment and flowage
Vernal Pools
Wildlife Corridors

Property Uses
Access to the public permitted, including snowmobile access on trails.  Other motorized vehicles not permitted

Clark Easements

PLC signs documents accepting responsibility for a conservation easement on the Clark properties in New Boston while Property owners Binney and Zandy Clark, along with PLC treasurer Gail Parker and New Boston Conservation Commission member Kim Burkhamer look on.  From left to right:  Gail Parker, Treasurer, PLC, Eric Masterson PLC Executive Director, Binney Clark, Zandy Clark, Kim Burkhamer, New Boston Conservation Commission.

Proof positive that we can do good work even during these tough economic times came on December 29th. Binny and Zandy Clark each donated a conservation easement on two abutting lots along Joe English Road in New Boston. The total combined acreage of the conservation easements is 99 acres.

Their gift is great for the people and wildlife of New Boston, as noted when I went snowshoeing there recently. A week old blanket of snow lay on the forest floor. It was printed with the tracks of moose, deer, coyote, porcupine, otter, and snowshoes (human, not hare), all in a small area around a beaver swamp to the south of Lewis Road. A local resident told me that barred owls live on the property, and I heard a few brown creepers while snowshoeing. The forest will likely provide a home to about sixty species of birds in the summer, with more stopping by on migration and during winter.

Typical of the area, white pine, hemlock, oak, maple, and birch are the dominant tree species, with a few black gum adding a southern flavor. Two large beaver ponds on either side of Lewis Road provide an added attraction to people and critters alike. The property has wonderful trails for hiking, skiing, walking, or horseback riding. With the exception of snowmobiles, motorized recreational vehicles are not allowed.

Throughout the easement negotiations, the Clarks were very cogniscent of the value the property has to wildlife, even requesting a buffer zone around each of the beaver ponds to protect water quality and habitat. Both Binny and Zandy reserved the right to build a single house on each lot as a way to provide for family and retirement. Zandy also generously allowed a percentage of proceeds from a future timber cut to help fund the costs that the PLC incurs for every easement it holds.

The Clark easement is a model example of the power of conservation easements to protect critical land while enabling the landowner to meet particular needs consistent with the intent of the easement. If you, or someone you know, is in the fortunate position of needing to take a tax deduction this year, consider that as the economy deteriorates, appraisal values will fall and will only recover a year or more after property prices recover.