The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has closed a deal acquiring a 306.30-acre piece of New Hampshire’s northern hardwood forest in the Mascoma Headwaters unit of Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. The property will now be added to Conte Refuge in fee simple for its permanent protection. The acquisition of this parcel of land (Unit B) marks a major accomplishment for us and our partners, the Bear Hill Conservancy and the Kilham Bear Center.
With two out of three phases complete, WildLandscapes’ efforts to permanently protect 14,817 acres of New Hampshire’s northern hardwood forest with the Bear Hill Conservancy is well on its way. Phase III will finally maintain an incredible region for biodiversity while creating connectivity between Bear Hill and White Mountain National Forest. In the last two months, we’ve identified a major source of funding that will help us complete this final phase.
Sustainability initiatives, such as protecting old-growth forests, creates biodiversity oases that serve as safe havens for species of all shapes and sizes. The Bear Hill Conservancy, which stretches for 14,817 acres across New Hampshire, is one such oasis. In collaboration with the Kilham Bear Center, WildLandscapes, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bear Hill has placed conservation easements on their land that prohibits development and requires sustainable timber management. Not only does Bear Hill protect the land for future use, wildlife can also use the land as a safe corridor to reach the White Mountain National Forest without forcing them to enter human communities and risk human-wildlife conflict.
In partnership with Bear Hill Conservancy and Kilham Bear Center, WildLandscapes Conservation and Preservation recently permanently protected over 2,300 acres of land in New Hampshire, now added to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and we have plans to preserve over 12,557 more!