thank you! for supporting the green corridor campaign.
The Francestown land trust and the community's successful campaign to raise $45,000. Thank you.
What Did the campaign raisE money for?
- FLT has launched an ambitious campaign to raise the funds needed to acquire a conservation easement on a critical 55-acre parcel surrounded by other conserved lands. Permanently protecting this property is very important to our community.
- Working with local landowners Jim and Cindy St. Jean, FLT and strongly expected substantial grant money to acquire this easement, which covers approximately 55 acres and contains miles of established biking and hiking trails.
- FLT is seeking community financial support to help with transaction and closing costs as well as cover a small gap in grant funds.
Why is this property so important to Francestown?
- The property is the keystone to completing a conservation “green” corridor of hiking trails within Francestown, and the region, by linking together major conserved blocks of land in town including the Dinsmore Conservation Area, Shattuck Pond Town Forest, and Crotched Mountain Town Forest
- Important conservation attributes associated with this property include frontage on Collins Brook, which feeds the Piscataquog River, significant wetlands which feed the Brook and serve as wildlife habitat, and an identified primary wildlife transit corridor passes through the property.
- The property is a significant recreational asset, containing an extensive trail network suitable for walking and mountain biking (part of the so-called Turnpike Trails), and which connects other trail networks and Class VI roads together within town. This is the last parcel within the trail network that is not permanently protected.
How much funding is needed to conserve the land?
- FLT has secured (or expects to secure) approximately $75,000 of grant funding for this project. Additionally, the landowners, Jim and Cindy St. Jean, have agreed to donate $60,000 of property value to FLT as part of this project.
- FLT now needs to raise $45,000 to fund the necessary survey, closing, and stewardship costs and close the remaining small gap in purchase price.
- As an all volunteer organization FLT has been able conserve 1.08 acres of land for every $200 received from our supporters like you.
- If you have questions or would like to learn more contact the FLT at info@francestownlandtrust.org
Thank you!