Newbury Donates 301 Acres of Forest to Land Trust

Local donors have transferred 301 acres of managed timberlands in Newbury to the Upper Valley Land Trust for permanent protection from development. This new acquisition connects approximately 1,300 acres of already conserved land in the region, forming a continuous stretch that supports key habitat for migrating wildlife.

The Britton Property, named for former owners Doug and Katharine Britton, sits adjacent to the Woodchuck Mountain Conservation Area, the Olsen-Long Pond conservation easement, and the Tucker Mountain Town Forest. Peg Merrens, vice president of conservation for the land trust, noted that the site includes hilly and rugged terrain with hardwood forest, pine, hemlock, and red maple. It also contains segments of two town trails that cross the land.

Because the area functions as a known wildlife migration corridor, the land trust intends to support research on how animals use the space. Merrens reported seeing beavers and evidence of bears crossing the property during visits, and confirmed that moose move through the area. She stated that protecting these larger tracts is essential for species that require more land mass to sustain themselves.

The conservation effort also safeguards headwater streams and wetlands that feed into Hedgehog Brook and eventually flow into the Waits River. State planning documents rank the parcel as a high priority for conservation to allow wildlife to migrate as the climate changes and to protect water quality. Merrens explained that the area is necessary for maintaining ecological connectivity and preventing habitat fragmentation.

The Brittons managed the land for timber growth for decades, planting roughly 30 acres of white pine in the 1950s while cultivating native species like red oak, balsam fir, and sugar maple. It took 25 years to secure the deal for the property's conservation. Doug Britton said the couple donated the parcel to contribute to efforts to protect wildlife habitat in Newbury. He emphasized the importance of conserving large contiguous tracts of undeveloped land in Vermont and northern New England for forestry, wildlife, water quality, and recreation.

The Upper Valley Land Trust says the property will remain open to the public for recreation. The organization plans to continue managing the land for timber harvests. Several existing trails on the property could be expanded in the future to connect with the trails at the Tucker Mountain Town Forest.