Our first easement in Danbury was donated by Linford and Mary Ellin Stiles in December of 2002. Located at the foot of Ragged Mountain, on Wiggin Road, the land features an historic 200-year old home and spectacular views of Ragged Mountain and Danbury Bog. 27 acres of the easement, on the south side of Wiggin Road, is open field bounded by stonewalls and sugar maples. The Stiles kept cows, llamas and goats in their days on the property. Approximately 55 acres of forests and fields are located on the north side of Wiggin Road and includes the historic home.
The land supports abundant wildlife, including bear, moose, deer, and a flock of wild turkeys that regularly makes its way into the pasture. The Stiles were inspired by friends in Andover who donated conservation easements on their properties to Ausbon Sargent. They hoped to provide a similar example for Danbury. The Stiles were encouraged to contact Ausbon Sargent by Stacey Viandier, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
The Stiles transferred the ownership of the property in 2008 to Chris and Jennifer Fore. In December of 2019, Jennifer and Chris Fore added seven acres over two small parcels on the easterly side of Dunlap Road to the original 82-acre easement making the total acreage under conservation easement now 89 acres.
The additional acreage has an extensive wetland, protects frontage on a large beaver pond, and protects wetlands flowing into Danbury Bog.
Landowner Chris Fore shares that Lin and Mary Ellin Stiles "were able to convince us we were the next stewards of Ragged Farm; this was not your typical real estate transaction, but, for the Stiles, the process of finding the next stewards to care for this incredible place."