The location of the Granite Lake Headwaters property (outlined in red), in relation to Granite Lake, Route 9, and a nearby corridor of conserved land (in green).
Thanks to generous support from the NHDES Aquatic Resource Mitigation (ARM) Fund, the Quabbin-to-Cardigan Partnership, and many Friends of the SuperSanctuary, we are now just $20,000 away from permanently protecting the Granite Lake Headwaters property.
This 515-acre parcel in the Stoddard highlands contains two headwater streams that flow under Route 9, into Nye Meadow, and on to Granite Lake in Stoddard and Nelson. In 2013, the land was purchased by a company that conducted extensive onsite timber operations. During this period of intensive road building and timber harvesting, silt and sediment washed from the property into Granite Lake, raising concerns about water quality in that popular swimming, fishing, and boating spot.
Protection of the Granite Lake Headwaters property – which is the largest unprotected parcel in the Granite Lake watershed – will raise the proportion of conserved land in the watershed to 30 percent. In addition, the Headwaters parcel connects with a 2,278-acre corridor of conserved lands stretching from Spoonwood Pond in Nelson to Route 9 in Stoddard – providing important room to roam for people and wildlife alike.
A black bear walks past a trail cam on the Granite Lake Headwaters property. (photo © Taylor White)
One of three moose documented by trail cams during a wildlife survey of the Granite Lake Headwaters property. (photo © Taylor White)
Moose, bear, bobcat, otter, fox, fisher, coyote, deer, turkey, and many other species have already been documented on the Headwaters property. Once conserved, the land will be managed for wildlife habitat and forest health, with special attention to downstream water quality.
In 2018, a conservation-oriented buyer purchased the property from the timber company in order to give the Harris Center time to fundraise for this important land protection project. To permanently protect the land, we must raise $20,000 by February 2019.
To make a tax-deductible contribution in support of this project, select “Granite Lake Headwaters Protection Fund” as the program for your online donation or download a pledge form. For more information or to donate offline, please contact Jeremy Wilson at (603) 525-3394 or by email.
