Moultonborough Conservation Commission raising funds for Lee's Pond Preserve

MOULTONBOROUGH — Two Moultonborough Conservation Commission members will speak about the proposed acquisition of the Lee's Pond Preserve at the upcoming Men's Breakfast at the Moultonborough Lion's Club on Friday, June 17, at 7 a.m. The Moultonborough Conservation Commission recently completed negotiations with resident Robert Goffredo to preserve a parcel of land that falls between Route 25 and Lee's Pond in Moultonborough. This 37-acre parcel has 3,800 feet of shoreline on Lee's Pond and the Red Hill River.

The property is an integral part of the Red Hill River watershed and connects to preserved land along the Red Hill River in Sandwich and Garland Pond in Moultonborough. A campaign has begun to raise the $335,000 needed to purchase the property and to establish a stewardship fund for its care. Currently $50,000 has already been raised for the project.

The parcel was identified by the Moultonborough Conservation Commission's 2007 Natural Resource Inventory as a high priority wildlife habitat area. The land provides an extension of the wildlife corridor from Red Hill down to the pond and the extensive marsh area along the shoreline provides habitats for birds, waterfowl and other aquatic animals.

Other benefits for conserving this parcel are the protection of water quality for Moultonborough Bay inlet. The undeveloped, heavily wooded land facilitates the mitigation of storm water runoff and supports infiltration helping to sustain a quality aquifer. The parcel also shares in the early history of Moultonborough. Moultonborough Falls, a thriving village of the 1800's, was located in this area, at the intersection of Route 25 and Sheridan Road, and several foundations can still be found there.

Marie Samaha, chair of the Conservation effort said "We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to conserve this important parcel as a link in the chain which is so very critical to water quality and wildlife in the Red Hill and Moultonborough Bay watersheds. Our efforts have been unanimously supported by the town selectmen."

The Moultonborough Conservation Commission's plans for the property include building trails for community and visitors' use so its beauty and uniqueness can be enjoyed by all. A small parking area will be created off Route 25 and informational kiosks constructed.

The Moultonborough Conservation Commission is seeking funds for the acquisition. Those interested in contributing to the Lee's Pond Preserve Conservation Fund Raising Campaign can contact Ed Harrington, fund raising chair, at 617-447-5972 or mail donations to the Moultonborough Conservation Commission, Town of Moultonborough, PO Box 139, Moultonborough, NH 03254. Checks can be made out to the "Lee's Pond Preserve Conservation Fund."