The Abigail Arnold Legacy Society
Honoring Abigail Arnold
Abigail left a large footprint on our community with over 33 years of service and even deeper roots preceding her move to town in 1988. Over three decades she served on the Select Board, the Planning Board and the FLT Board of Directors, and was a member of numerous other important town committees. She received well deserved state recognition for her work on the 1995 Francestown Master Plan. She helped secure grants and bonds with landowners to place conservation easements on privately held parcels. She was instrumental in the 2010 by 2010 conservation initiative and was on the steering committee of the very successful Headwaters Project, a multi-organizational effort to protect important headwaters of the Piscataquog River. Abigail’s personal legacy is her gift of vision for the green space and vibrant community we enjoy today. We thank Abigail for all she did to make Francestown special to so many people who have chosen this town as their residence.
Francestown Land Trust (FLT) is announcing the creation of the “Abigail Arnold Legacy Society”
The Legacy Society will recognize those who plan to leave a bequest in support of FLT.
Francestown is a beautiful rural community through the efforts of years of conservation minded leaders and many generous donors. Planned giving is a way to actively participate in protecting our forests and streams all the while helping FLT plan for future expenses.
Walking the perimeters of each of our 37 properties is a yearly stewardship task to determine that the conservation guidelines are being kept intact and not encroached upon as per the donor’s request. This is a responsibility that FLT takes seriously, and together with other ongoing expenses, needs wise financial planning.
There are many different ways to make a planned gift. Some examples of types of bequests include land or planned asset donation, stock donation, retirement planned beneficiary designation, life insurance beneficiary designation, a charitable remainder trust.
To become a member of the Abigail Arnold Legacy Society, we are encouraging donors that have a bequest in mind to sign a Letter of Intent. When someone makes a planned gift to FLT, you are leaving a legacy of open lands, streams, and trails for future generations and joining in the vision Abigail worked so hard to preserve.
Should you be interested in joining the Abigail Arnold Legacy Society (whether anonymously or not) contact us either at info@francestownlandtrust.org or personally by calling Larry Ames, Chairman of The Francestown Land Trust (603-547-8809).
Making a bequest to the FLT is a very personal decision and we thank you for your consideration.
About The Francestown Land trust
Mission and History
The mission of the Francestown Land Trust is to help preserve natural land areas significant to Francestown and to provide conservation opportunities and education for area residents.
History
Founded in 1986, the Francestown Land Trust (FLT) is dedicated to protecting critical natural land areas in Francestown, New Hampshire, and nearby environs. A registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, FLT can hold and monitor conservation easements, help negotiate land transfers, and, with public support, purchase sensitive properties.
Currently, the organization owns properties totaling 1,259 acres, including the Rand Brook Forest and Schott Brennan Falls Reserve. All land owned by FLT is open for public use. In addition, FLT holds conservation easements on 35 privately owned properties, helping to protect an additional 1,812 acres. With one Executory Interest, FLT helps to protect a total area of 3,096 acres.
membership and governance
Annual Membership dues help support the FLT mission. If you would like to join please click on the link below to sign up.
A grassroots organization, FLT’s all-volunteer structure consists of an eleven-member working Board of Directors and a network of active volunteers. Board members, current and past, have received the prestigious Gordon A. Russell Award, given annually by the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, for leadership and unusual achievements in conservation. Board members, current and past, have also been honored with the Tudor Richards Award from New Hampshire Audubon