Vols sought to clear bus turnaround so students can visit conservation land

Volunteers needed to construct safe bus turnaround near the Casey Road conservation land. (Courtesy photo)

MILTON - The Milton Conservation Commission is asking for volunteers to help with a work day on the 79-acre town-owned Casey Road Conservation Land.

The work is scheduled for approximately 9-11 a.m. on Oct 5. Volunteers will clear brush and cut small trees to expand a bus turnaround area so school buses can safely drop off and pick up Nute schoolchildren whose teachers wish to make use of the excellent educational opportunities of an outdoor classroom. Participants will also get an update on the project to place a conservation easement on the land, which will be held by local land trust Moose Mountains Regional Greenways.

Milton resident Karen Golab is Chair of the Casey Road Land Protection Committee, a subcommittee of the conservation committee which is advising the Milton Select Board on the project and overseeing improvements to make the property more accessible for recreational and educational uses.

According to Golab, a similar work cleanup day last year was extremely successful. "In just a couple hours, we got rid of several truckloads of debris - it was terrific! I'm very grateful to all the volunteers who helped last year and I hope we get another good turnout this year. Once we have a bus turnaround area made here, Nute Schools children can come learn about nature and wildlife. Where could they learn better?"

Golab added, "We are looking for a few people experienced using chainsaws who could bring their own and help cut down small trees. Please call me in advance at 603-828-1809 if you can help this way. Work gloves, loppers, hand saws, and garbage bags would also be helpful. We're asking pet owners to leave your pets at home that day, although at all other times the trails are open for pets on leash."

Casey Road Conservation Land is located on the right at the end of Casey Road off Governor's Rd in Milton. Volunteers are asked to park along the right side of Casey Road and to be respectful of the local residents by driving slowly and not blocking or turning around in driveways. Advance registrations are not needed, except for those bringing chain saws.

The Milton Conservation Commission's mission is to fulfill the mandates of RSA 36-A and the conservation goals in the Milton Master Plan, which it works to accomplish through conservation projects to protect Milton's water resources, forestlands, wildlife habitat, productive farmland, and recreational areas. Additional benefits are the preservation of Milton's scenic beauty and rural character, supporting NH's vibrant tourism industry and safeguarding the water quality of Milton Three Ponds and the town wells. This natural resource protection has long term benefit to Milton's economy.