$1 million mark reached in campaign to save local pond
From around the region, friends of conservation and people who love Peterborough, New Hampshire, are donating to a campaign to purchase and conserve 100 acres on Cunningham Pond at the gateway to the town. The fundraising goal of $1.5 million is well within sight; as of the end of December, we officially passed the $1 million mark. Yet your help is still needed...
"Cunningham Pond is part of our roots. We encourage others to reflect on what the pond has meant to them and support the effort to conserve the land for generations to come." - Chris Anderson & Anna Von Mertens
'Where You At?'
This activity will enhance your knowledge of place
Twenty questions test your knowledge of local land use history and phenology, or the study of seasonal natural phenomena. If you aren't certain of the answers, take some time to find them. By understanding where we live, and the unique qualities of this place that support our lives, we can become better stewards of our home.
Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) stay active during the winter, but they may den up in the coldest temps, as can often happen in January. (Their hairless ears, tail, and feet are vulnerable to frostbite.) Watch for their five-toed tracks in the snow, recognizable thanks to the long thumb on their back feet, likely found beneath your birdfeeder.
Wildlife filmmaker Charlie Hamilton James follows three river otters and reveals the secrets of their survival through never-before-seen footage in this playful documentary. Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol will also be on hand to answer questions. Shown at the Putnam Arts Lecture Hall, Keene State College. Cosponsored by Harris Center for Conservation Education and KSC Film Society. Suggested donation $5.
Join Shauna Sousa, stewardship assistant, as she guides you on this winter hike at the Conservancy's Devan Preserve in Marlborough, New Hampshire. You will learn the basics of wildlife tracking and ID, and how to best position a wildlife camera. Special guest Janet Pesaturo, a local wildlife tracker and camera trapper with a background in conservation biology, will be available to answer all your questions. Free, and open to the public.
As the Monadnock Conservancy staff and board prepare to tackle the challenges of 2019, I am so grateful for the ongoing community support that allows us to protect even more land and to steward it for future generations.
Land conservation provides the assurance of clean water, places to grow healthy food, a strong local economy, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Thank you for being a part of ensuring these resources continue to be a vital part of our beautiful region!
Photos: Francie Von Mertens, Judy Blake, stock image, Wikipedia Commons/Cody Pope, courtesy PBS/ Charlie Hamilton James, Emily Hague, and Alyssa Salerno.
