Welsh Centennial Celebration

2011 marks 100 years of land conservation on Mount Sunapee. Help us celebrate this important milestone!

* July 21, 2011 - The Sunapee Historical Society hosts "The Life & Times of Herbert Welsh," a cracker barrel talk.

* August 27, 2011 - A guided hike to Lake Solitude followed by a BBQ, music, and camping at Mount Sunapee State Park.

Herbert Welsh:

Father of Land Conservation on Mount Sunapee

 

Learn about Welsh's long walks to Sunapee and his effort to protect the first conservation land on Mount Sunapee.

Read this PDF article from the Soo Nipi Magazine (Summer 2004)

Climb the mountains

“Climb the mountains and get their glad tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – John Muir (1838-1914)

This quote can be found in the prologue of the "Manual of Mount Sunapee," which chronicled the geological, cultural and natural history of the area and spoke to the importance of public awareness in “preserving the mountain for the enjoyment of all.”   Published in 1915 by the Sunapee Chapter of the Forest Society, the manual sold for 50 cents and the proceeds went to support trail maintenance on Mount Sunapee.

The Manual is available at Abbott Library, Sunapee, NH, in the Reference Department.

Have a favorite quote? Please send it along.

Read the full letter sent to FOMS members inviting them to the Centennial Brainstorm.

Letter as pdf (1mb)

Read a related article: "Legacy of man behind Sunapee purchase to be feted" via Fosters.com (May 2, 2011)
LCHIP Grants Go To 24 Projects Including Black Mountain PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 10 December 2010 10:26

The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) this week announced the award of matching grants to 24 projects including an  initiative to protect 1025 acres on Black Mountain in Sutton and Warner.

“LCHIP announced a $150,000 grant for Black Mountain, bringing the campaign over the $1 million mark,” said Forest Society Vice President for Development Susanne Kibler-Hacker. “Today’s total is $1,035,360. We have December 15 to raise the remaining $165,000.”

Read the Forest Society announcement.

See FOMS earlier article about the project.

LCHIP and the economy

This round of LCHIP awards invest in the protection of 13 historic structures and the conservation of 4317 acres of land, including 233 acres of farmland.

"Among the 24 projects, 90 people across the state will be employed, adding over $1,000,000 to New Hampshire’s economy," according to the LCHIP announcement.

“LCHIP is about more than land and buildings,” says Rusty McLear, the LCHIP Board Chair. “The grants are a tool to help New Hampshire people protect the quality of life that we all benefit from.”

Among other projects getting LCHIP funding are Potter Farm in Northumberland, restoration of the cupola on the Gilmanton Academy/town hall, and window and interior restoration to the 1907 Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library.

The funding

A total of $1.59 million of LCHIP money attracted almost $28 million in total project value, according to the LCHIP report. This year’s match leverage of 1:16 far exceeds the 1:1 match required by LCHIP law (NH RSA Chapter 227-M).

Funds for the LCHIP grants come from $25 recording fees collected by county registry offices across the state, providing LCHIP with a base of statewide financial support and the opportunity to invest in all corners of the state.

However, in the last two years, the legislature raided the dedicated funding for the Trust Fund by transferring $1.5 million to the General Fund for the FY ending in 2010 and by slashing the allocation to be received from the registry recording fees by 50% for the FY ending in 2011.

Program administration is supported by receiving $6 from each sale of NH's conservation Moose Plate and from interest from the Trust Fund.

In 1999 the bi-partisan Land and Community Heritage Commission  recommended a funding level of $12 million per year.
Last Updated on Friday, 10 December 2010 10:55
 

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