BREAKING NEWS!

MMRG Welcomes New Executive Director

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways has selected a new Executive Director to succeed Dawn Evans. Charles ("Charlie") Ek of Milton was previously the executive director of a nonprofit organization that provided environmental education, environmental service learning, and outdoor recreation programs for schools in southeastern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine. In addition to being an avid participant in several outdoor activities, he was also a volunteer search-and-rescue dog handler for many years. He has a B.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Geography and a J.D., both from the University of Minnesota.

MMRG is coming into its 10th year of operation as a nonprofit provider of land conservation services. "Having personally enjoyed the benefits of MMRG's land conservation accomplishments for the last several years, I am very pleased to be able to contribute directly to its mission as the Executive Director," said Ek. "I look forward to working with the board and staff to build upon all that has been accomplished by this energetic group of community members."

MMRG has a new Director of Land Conservation

After a long search, including interviewing many fine candidates, MMRG has selected a Director of Land Conservation. Keith Fletcher was chosen from a highly qualified pool of applicants and will conserve and protect important land within the seven member towns served by MMRG.

Currently a resident of Wells, Maine, Keith has worked in conservation for more than twenty five years. For the past thirteen he worked for The Nature Conservancy in both Maine and Iowa, where he led landscape scale conservation projects to preserve the Loess Hills in western Iowa and Mt. Agamenticus in Southern Maine, as well as other special places. He has worked with dozens of landowners to protect thousands of acres of conservation land through purchase and easement, and helped raise funds for many of these purchases. Earlier in his career he was a partner in a private consulting firm in Silver Spring, Maryland, that specialized in conserving rivers through community-based efforts. Technically inclined, he has an M.S. in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Physics from Antioch College. In his private life he is a volunteer conservationist on his Town Conservation Commission and on the board of his local land trust, and he is currently serving as President of the Maine Association of Conservation Commissions. He enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa and two children Alex and Sam. He is also an accomplished musician who plays and teaches the fiddle and is on staff at the Rivertree Center for the Arts in Kennebunk, Maine.

Art Slocum Joins MMRG Board of Directors

Art Slocum, from Wolfeboro, is MMRG’s new Board Member. Art recently retired from La-Z-Boy, Inc. after 30 years as a Sales Manager and a Manufacturer’s Representative. He is a Director of the Wolfeboro-Tuftonboro Land Bank; member of the Wolfeboro Pathways Committee and a member of the Wolfeboro TRACS Committee. He also keeps busy as a Trail Adopter for the Lakes Region Conservation Trust’s Copple Crown Mountain Property. Art said this after being invited to sit on the Board, “I am very impressed by the current board’s enthusiasm and their dedication to conservation issues. They are a fun group that seems to be well balanced in the skills they bring to the conservation effort.”

Dan Coons Joins MMRG Board of Directors

Daniel Coons of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission has joined the MMRG Board of Directors. Dan is the Chairperson of the WCC and is a Wetland Scientist. Dan is also affiliated with the NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists. Previously Dan worked as an insurance claims property adjuster and continues to volunteer with several organizations including the Muddy Moose Trail Race which he founded and is a director.

Wolfeboro Joins Moose Mountains Regional Greenways

Wolfeboro has joined Moose Mountains Regional Greenways as the seventh town being served by MMRG. Founded in 2000 and serving the towns of Wakefield, Brookfield, New Durham, Farmington, Milton and Middleton this membership-driven organization represents a dynamic collaboration between community leaders, private landowners, concerned citizens, and public and private conservation organizations. MMRG is very pleased to include Wolfeboro among its member towns. Michael Hodder of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission said, “The WCC feels that multi-jurisdictional alliances such as MMRG will become more and more common as citizens understand that their local environments don't end at their town borders.”

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Tour of MMRG Conserved Property

Sunday, September 27

Please join MMRG Board members and staff as we tour one of MMRG’s conserved properties. Learn about the history of the property and the different conservation easement processes involved.

We will meet at 9:00 (am) at Education Coordinator Kari Lygren’s house at 11 Carlton Road, Milton Mills, to view the Long and Jappe properties. This will take approximately 2 hours and includes some moderate terrain.

Bring cameras, food and water. We hope you are able to join us. Keep watching for more walking tours.

RECENT EVENTS

Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival a Success!

On Saturday, August 1st over 300 people joined Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and UNH Cooperative Extension at the seventh annual Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival.

Participants enjoyed a beautiful summer’s day taking hayrides to the Salmon Falls River, where Dave Kellam explained what a healthy river is and how to keep it that way. Many also learned how to can and preserve fresh foods with Ann Hamilton of UNHCE as she prepared bread and butter pickles and raspberry jam. Kids of all ages asked questions of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Dave Erler as he showed a woodchuck, a beaver and a barred owl and explained the different needs each animal has.

Dave Kellam displays fish found in the Salmon Falls River

The Geddes Road Band entertained the crowd with a variety of bluegrass tunes and the Cub Scouts of troop 198 and caterer Sue Everett served up delicious food. Children explored the sunflower/flag maze and then played on the hay pyramid. Guided walks were taken learning how to identify trees and shrubs with Deb Goard of UNHCE and photographer Dave O’Conner led groups on his popular Nature and Photography workshop.

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