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1707 ACRE OSSIPEE MOUNTAIN PRESERVE
The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is proud to announce the
permanent preservation of a 1,707 acre tract in the Ossipee Mountains
in Tamworth, New Hampshire. This important conservation project
was totally funded by private contributions; no tax dollars were
used or sought in this effort. Nearly 400 additional acres will
be added to this forest preserve in the coming year, bringing the
total Trust protection in the Ossipees to nearly 2,100 acres by
the year 2000. This is the largest acreage project that the Trust
has ever undertaken and one of the largest preservation efforts
in the history of New Hampshires' Lakes Region. The Ossipee Mountains
comprise over 40,000 acres of wilderness and are the most imposing
geographical landmarks in central New Hampshire. Today the Ossipees
represent a terrific resource for timber, wildlife, clean water,
and thoughtful public use. The Ossipees are an unusual ten mile
diameter circular geographical formation formed by a single ring-dike
volcano about 60 million years ago. Nearly a dozen of the peaks
rise above 2,000 feet and several are above 2,300 with Faraway at
2,782 feet and the highest, Mount Shaw, at 2,990 feet above sea
level. Our new tract includes five summits on the northern rim of
the range, and consists of forested ridges and ravines reaching
from Black Snout Mt. northeastward to Bald Mountain. We are in the
process of identifying resources to complete a funded formal scientific
study of the area to assist in the development of a management plan
and for future public use policies. In addition, we are seeking
individuals and interested parties to help fund and steward future
projects in the Ossipees and elsewhere in the Lakes Region. "A lot
of attention is given to changes in the landscape in the past several
generations," says Trust president Fred Rozelle of Sandwich, " but
I think that it is useful to reflect upon why the Lakes Region is
still such a desirable place to live in and to enjoy. We have clean
water, abundant wildlife, and inspiring scenery hereabouts because
places like the Ossipees, Red Hill, Copple Crown, the Squam Range
and other landmarks are still largely in their primitive state.
A conservation acquisition of this magnitude is a great gift to
everyone in New England. We look forward to the completion of dozens
of other volunteer-driven projects throughout the region. The trustees
would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to all who were so
selflessly involved in this significant preservation effort."
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