Special to The Rochester Voice
FARMINGTON - Moose Mountains Regional Greenways recently announced the official conservation of the Jane K. Wingate Memorial Forest, a 56‑acre property along Meaderboro Road in Farmington, now permanently protected for its exceptional ecological, water quality, and community value. David Leary’s connection to the land spans three generations—childhood walks with his grandmother, photography outings with his mother, and now visits with his own son along those same familiar trails. While reminiscing about the property, David said, “I know my mom would be beyond thrilled to know that the land she treasured is protected for future generations of grandparents and grandchildren to wander its paths.”
MMRG Staff with John Wingate at closing
Located within the Salmon Falls watershed, the Wingate Forest includes more than 4,500 feet of frontage along the Berry River, a critical tributary feeding Rochester’s three major drinking‑water reservoirs.
Both the Rochester and Farmington Master Plans identify this watershed as a key municipal water resource, and conserving this land ensures long‑term protection of one of the region’s cleanest and most important waterways.
Nearly the entire property falls within MMRG’s Tier 1 Conservation Action Plan focus area, reflecting its highest priority status for natural resource protection. According to the NH Fish & Game Wildlife Action Plan, 98 percent of the Wingate Forest contains high‑value wildlife habitat, and state wildlife connectivity modeling shows strong permeability for animal movement. More than 42 acres fall within a prioritized habitat block, and The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Lands Mapping Tool ranks the property as slightly above average in climate‑change resilience.
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