August 29, 2024 - Following a year-long fundraising campaign, Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust has purchased 151 acres of land in the town of Grantham, NH. The property, whose beautiful scenic views are visible from the Springfield rest area portion of I89, is a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, with good soils for long term forest resiliency. It is highly ranked for wildlife habitat in the State of NH and includes rare cliffs and talus slope. Byron Barton Woods abuts the 400-acre Reney Memorial Forest, which is protected by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (The Forest Society). Future trails may connect the two properties, which are both open to the public for low-impact recreation.

Byron Barton Woods is within the Sugar River watershed, and so its protection helps to maintain the health of this important resource. Properties like this one are identified as important for protection in Grantham’s master plan. The Town of Springfield’s Conservation Commission assisted in fundraising activities for this project as well. This property lies very close to the Springfield town line, and Development of it would certainly pose an impact on the town.

Property owner, Anita MacDonald, was supported by her family in the decision to sell the property to Ausbon Sargent. Having been in the family for generations, it has been a familiar and loved property where memories were made hiking and enjoying its abundance of nature in all seasons. Heather Achillies, Anita’s daughter, attended the closing in her mother’s place, and said that Anita was very happy that after all the years it had been in the family, the property was finally being conserved. It should be noted that Ms. MacDonald sold the property to Ausbon Sargent in a bargain sale, which was $75,000 less than it had been appraised for.

Support for this property was a terrific team effort, and came from private donations, foundations, and the Town of Grantham. Leadership gifts were provided by the Town of Grantham, the Eastman Charitable Foundation, The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, Dartmouth Coach, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, The Nature Conservancy, an anonymous donor, and the NH Moose Plate grant program.

About the New Hampshire Moose Plate Grant

Since 2001, the NH Conservation License Plate (Moose Plate) Program has contributed to the ongoing success of hundreds of projects across New Hampshire. The Program supports the protection of critical resources in New Hampshire, including scenic lands, historic sites and artifacts, plants and wildlife.

(L-R), Dennis Ryan (Grantham Conservation Commission), Andy Deegan (Interim Executive Director of Ausbon Sargent), Al Lambert (President of Eastman Charitable Foundation), Erin Meding (Chair, Springfield Conservation Commission), Nancy Menton (Eastman Charitable Foundation), Steve Barker (Vice-Chair Eastman Charitable Foundation), Heather Achilles (daughter of property owner, Anita MacDonald), Kristy Heath (Development and Communications Coordinator, Ausbon Sargent)