Leary Field conservation work bolstered by $100G grant

A view over the high hay field of Leary Field & Forest (Courtesy/Kirsten Gehl).

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) has been awarded a 2017 New Hampshire Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant to conserve 63+ acres of field and forest on Bob and Debbie Leary's family farm on Hornetown Road in Farmington.

At the December 4 LCHIP award ceremony in Concord, MMRG Executive Director Patti Connaughton-Burns accepted the $100,000 grant award for "Leary Field & Forest," one of 42 different LCHIP awards for projects across the state, totaling 3.6 million dollars this year. Also present for the award ceremony were Governor Sununu, other state officials and representatives of LCHIP, as well as local land trust representatives Including MMRG Board, staff and volunteers, and landowners Bob and Debbie Leary.

As revealed in MMRG's newly completed resource maps, the Farmington Ridge location of the Leary property is characterized by multiple high conservation values. The Leary parcel boasts the highest quality agricultural soils in New Hampshire and nationwide, of particular importance as farmland to the south continues to be developed.

Its oak-pine forest preserves local drinking water resources, the Cocheco River watershed, and wildlife habitat. The Farmington Ridge also features above-average climate change resiliency by protecting against storm-caused flooding and through preservation of wildlife corridors for native animals to migrate from threats like disease and habitat alterations. The conservation value of the parcel is increased by the fact that it abuts existing conservation land and contributes to an evolving greenway of nearly 1,000 acres extending from the Farmington and New Durham ridges, and south to Strafford and Barnstead.

Such greenway corridors can also provide trails for recreation and the Leary's welcome hikers and snowshoers on their land and trails. Over two miles of well-groomed trails wrap around the scenic hay fields to hilltops with views of 7 peaks and as far as the seacoast. The trails also extend into a shaded forest area where quaint bridges cross sections of Clay Pit Brook. Although the primary purpose of the trails is for farm and forest management, the Learys encourage trail use for those who are respectful of the land and will use it lightly for hiking, snowshoeing, birding or photography.

By conserving these 63+ acres, the Learys seek to honor the three generations of Bob Leary's family who have farmed, sugared and forested this land on the Farmington Ridge. Bob Leary's passion for the land was passed down from his father, who hoped that the farm would continue to grow crops forever. In fact, Bob and Debbie Leary are no strangers to land conservation -- they worked previously with the state Natural Resources Conservation Service to put their adjoining 73 acres into a Wetlands Reserve Program easement in 2010. Nor do the documented wildlife conservation values surprise the Learys, who over the decades have sighted unique species like Bobolinks and native Brook trout.

MMRG has now achieved 90% of its fundraising goal for the easement purchase, transactional fees, and long-term stewardship of Leary Field & Forest. Major grantor awards include an Agricultural Lands Easement from NRCS, a Moose Plate grant from the NH State Conservation Committee, and most recently, the Natural Resource grant from LCHIP. The Farmington Conservation Commission is also a donor and will hold an executory interest in the conservation easement on the property. Individual donations are now sought to complete the project fundraising. Questions may be directed to Patti Connaughton-Burns at (603) 473-2020 and online donations may be made at www.mmrg.info.