249 Acres Protected in Antrim & Peterborough

New Conservation Easements Protect Wildlife Habitat, Water Quality & Scenic Views

The Harris Center completed two land protection projects in December, adding 249 acres to our SuperSanctuary of conserved lands.

A map showing conservation land in Antrim, Hancock, Peterborough and neighboring towns, with the boundaries of the Caughey conservation easements in Antrim outlined in red and the new Lahey conservation easement (Stony Brook Horse Farm) in Peterborough outlined in blue. Click on the map to open a larger view.

In Antrim, George and Michelle Caughey donated a conservation easement on three forested lots totaling 103 acres, extending a conservation corridor east from the Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. The newly conserved properties protect a mile of frontage on Old Boutman and Old Brimstone Roads, both Class VI roads that offer pleasant walking free from traffic. Immediately to the west lies Caughey Farm, a 143-acre property that was protected by George and Michelle in 2008, and less than a half-mile to the north lies another 58-acre conservation easement on the shore of Gregg Lake, previously donated by the Caughey family in 2019.

In Peterborough, Stony Brook Horse Farm was under a temporary conservation restriction that expired in 2014. Landowner Denise Lahey contacted the Harris Center to ask about a permanent conservation solution, and ultimately decided to conserve 146 acres of her farm via a conservation easement held by the Harris Center. The Sand Hill Road property offers stunning views west toward Monadnock (pictured above), protects almost 2,000 feet of a first-order stream that flows into Otter Brook, and contains a half-mile of frontage along Class V and VI roads. Critically, the property is also connected by a conservation corridor to the Wapack National Wildlife Refuge.

With these easements, the Harris Center now directly protects 25,270 acres across nine towns in the SuperSanctuary. On behalf of the Harris Center and all the people and wildlife we serve, we extend our deepest thanks to these generous landowners.