Strafford Conservation Commission
The
mission of the Strafford Conservation Commission is to identify and protect
Strafford's natural resources, to educate our
community about our natural heritage, and
to
foster local environmental stewardship.
Who are the Conservation
Commissioners?
We invite your participation to help us set
priorities and work toward achieving conservation objectives in Strafford. Join us at our meetings --we meet on the
fourth Monday of every month at the town office at 7 p.m. Or contact any of us about how your can
become involved
Sally Mansur, Chair, 765-4547, sally.mansur@valley.net, 73 Alger
Brook Road, S. Strafford, 05070
Anne Peyton, Vice Chair, 765-4846, anne.peyton@valley.net, P.O. Box 300,
S. Strafford, 05070
Dave Taplin, Treasurer, 785-4422, david.taplin@valley.net, P.O. Box
145, S. Strafford, 05070
Steve Faccio, Secretary, 765-4134, sfaccio@vinsweb.org, 305 Brook Road,
Strafford, 05072
Jeanne McMahan, Committee Chair, 765-4024, jeannem@the-family-place.org,
P.O. Box 96, S. Strafford, 05070
What is the Conservation
Commission Working on?
¨
Riverbank Stabilization and Restoration
is our major project. In our lifetimes, the West Branch of the Ompompanoosuc
riverbed has shifted as much as 120 feet in some sections as it runs between
our villages. Stabilization work will
improve the water quality in the river and prevent loss of fields.
In
the fall 2002, Newton School 7th and 8th grade students
collected data on the river in the hayfields just north of the lower village --
its depth, width, velocity, temperature, and other local conditions. A consultant then analyzed the data to
determine the particular reaches of the river that most needed
stabilization. In the spring 2003,
students planted 750 trees and shrubs along four meanders. In time, we hope to develop our own nursery from which to continue planting yearly to
prevent the bed of the river from shifting and the banks from collapsing.
The
Commission has just recently applied for a grant through the Fifteen Mile Falls
Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. The
purpose of the grant is to do a Phase I Assessment of the entire stretch of the
river between the two villages and to begin stabilization work on one or more
reaches that are most seriously eroding.
¨
Keeping Track - This
is a wildlife tracking protocol scientifically developed by well-known
biologist and photographer Susan Morse.
By identifying corridors that wildlife use, we can protect these
natural areas for habitat. We hope to
offer a Keeping Track training program in 2004 for volunteer outdoor
enthusiasts from Strafford.
¨
Land Conservation
for wildlife habitat, corridor protection, and preservation of our town's
unique character. The Strafford
Conservation Commission will be working with the Upper Valley Land Trust to
identify important pieces of land for conservation and with private landowners
to establish conservation easements.
¨
Natural Resource Maps
are being developed to show Strafford's natural resources, including wetlands,
trails, rare species, and natural communities.
Committees and Memberships
The Strafford Trails Committee was formed
to plan and construct trails throughout Strafford for hiking, biking,
cross-country skiing and other forms of passive recreation. The committee includes members of the
Strafford Conservation and Planning Commissions. We are particularly interested in establishing trails on a large
parcel of land at the top of Sharon Hill to connect it to other existing
conservation land. We have
long-term plans to link the two villages via foot and bike trail. Contact Jeanne McMahan for more information.
The Conservation Commission also has a
representative on the new Strafford Energy Committee. The committee is working to promote energy
conservation, energy efficiency, environmentally sound use of energy resources
and use of renewable energy in Strafford's homes and buildings. Contact Sally Mansur for more information.
The Strafford Conservation Commission is a member
of the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions that provides
training, information, and networking opportunities with other area
conservation commissions.
Conservation Fund
In September 2003, we established the Town of Strafford
Conservation Fund. We are very
pleased to report that we've raised more than $1500 since the fund's inception! We would like your help so that we may
continue this important work. Please
consider making a charitable contribution to the Town of Strafford Conservation
Fund, c/o Dave Taplin, Treasurer, P.O. Box 145, South Strafford, VT 05070.
Your support will be greatly appreciated
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