BETHEL — Two state of New Hampshire programs have made Mahoosuc Land Trust’s conservation of the 861-acre Shelburne Riverlands a reality.
The Riverlands permanently conserves 30 islands and nine mainland parcels located along an 8.7-mile stretch of the Androscoggin River, an area on the state border with Gilead.
A $125,000 grant from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program and a $761,668 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Aquatic Resource Mitigation Program allowed the trust to close April 2 on purchase from Bayroot LLC.
Key additional support came from dozens of individuals, businesses including Brookfield Renewables, and a major grant from the Randolph Area Conservation Opportunity Fund. The project also inspired a land donation by Shelburne residents, increasing the total project acreage protected to 880 acres.
“We are truly appreciative of the significant investments of LCHIP and ARM,” said Kirk Siegel, Executive Director of MLT. “The wild and scenic nature of this section of river makes it a favorite of paddlers and anglers, while the wetland resource is outstanding.”
MLT has worked with The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit conservation organization which helps community and government leaders, businesses, landowners and nonprofits conserve important land and water resources.
Now that MLT has acquired the Riverlands, Shelburne residents will guide management through a special advisory committee created by the land trust. In addition, MLT will work with the Shelburne Trails Club to enhance public access and connect to the existing Shelburne trails system. More information and a video of the project is available at www.mahoosuc.org.
