The Francestown Land Trust was invited to speak on “Land and Trails” at the Francestown Recreational Committee’s monthly Speaker Series. A nice showing of residents attended, interested to hear more about land conservation, the role our Land Trust plays in protecting sensitive lands in town and the variety of trails accessible to all who want to get out and enjoy nature. Larry Ames, Chair of the Francestown Land Trust talked about key conservation values, different types of land conservation options, the process of placing an easement on a property and the Land Trust stewardship responsibilities once land is protected. Larry’s colorful photographs highlighted land protected in Francestown, both owned or with an easement by the Trust, as well as private properties; all with public access by trails.
Following a power-challenged two-day winter storm in Francestown, close to forty attendees were treated on Friday April 5th, to Willa Coroka’s lecture on Nocturnal Wonders.
The evening program was opened with a nod to the celebratory nature of International Dark Sky week, which is held each year in April, during the week of the New Moon when night skies are darkest. This year it culminated with the spectacular total eclipse.
This is a week for raising awareness of the importance of reducing outside artificial light for the benefit of our night sky. We are encouraged to turn off or tone-down outside lights during the overnight and to choose responsible outside lighting to ensure projecting light down-ward and not up into the sky. This is beneficial to both humans and wildlife. For people, a host of health issues are linked to excessive exposure to artificial light at night, especially blue light. For the nocturnal birds and animals that depend on navigating at night, dark skies are critical.
Our presenter, Willa Coroka, Project Implementation Specialist at NH Audubon, provided us with an animated and very informative lecture on “Nocturnal Wonders”, those species that navigate at night…in the dark.
We learned about the special features that nocturnal species have to maneuver in the dark. Highlighted were owls with their binocular vision, facial discs and soundless wing feathers….. bats with their phenomenal sonar and maneuvering capabilities….. mammals like fox and racoons and coyotes with their special eye lens, whiskers and big noses…..and frogs with their excellent vision and sensitivity to movement. A super PowerPoint presentation with lots of photo’s made the trek through more snow well worth it!
The Francestown Conservation Committee and the Francestown Land Trust joined forces to host a community night hike under the bright light of the February Snow Moon. Rendezvousing at the end of Farrington Road, a bundled-up group of fifty hearty hikers set out across the snow-covered fields of West End Farm, which backs up to the Town’s extensive trail system through the Crotched Mountain Forest. Although there were a few headlamps used to keep the front of the line in touch with the back of the line, they were hardly necessary as the clear winter night allowed the moonlight to shimmer brilliantly off the snow cover.
No doubt any native wildlife bolted for higher ground as the large group meandered through the woods, chatting and laughing along the way. Winding through the woods and connecting with the Joslin Loop Trail right below the intersection of Scot’s trail, the long train paraded clockwise along Joslin to Bullard Hill Road, down to its intersection on Farrington Road, and back up to the original rendezvous point. All in all, the hike was a great success, with the full Snow Moon lighting the path through the silhouette of tree tops and all hikers accounted for.
Even so, the night was only half over. Like any good Francestown community event, the opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new neighbors drew the hikers indoors to a crackling fire and refreshments. Everyone chipped in, with trays of baked goods, cheese & crackers, and other snacks, with pitchers of cider and hot chocolate. Familiar faces and new faces all had a great time.
Whether you are new to Francestown, or your family has been here for generations, our community’s access to open space, outdoor recreation, and diverse habitat is a benefit we all enjoy, thanks to our all-volunteer Conservation and FLT organizations. Fifty people showing up for a night hike on a bitter cold night in February is a testament to that appreciation!
To learn more about upcoming events, including guest speakers and more community hikes, visit the events page.
The Francestown Land Trust is pleased
to support the
George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library
through two new Magazine Subscriptions
Northern Woodlands is published by the Center for Northern Woodlands Education, an educational nonprofit located in Lyme, NH. It celebrates northeastern forests and the people who care for them and is a fun read with a serious purpose. It is published four times a year (quarterly by season) and the first issue is already here!
New Hampshire Wildlife Journal is published by NH Fish and Game and is dedicated to Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation. It is a terrific source for fishing, hunting, wildlife, and conservation information in the state. It is published six times per year and the first issue will be on its way soon.
As an all volunteer organization FLT has been able conserve 1.08 acres
of land for every $200 received from our supporters like you.
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