Forest Society Closes Balsams Transaction

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests completed a transaction today with the Tillotson Corporation  today that conserves much of the land surrounding the historic BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, NH. The Forest Society acquired conservation restrictions that will forever protect the working forest, habitat, scenic views, and 30 miles of recreational trails that the public and BALSAMS guests have enjoyed for decades.

“We have long sought to protect this special place in New Hampshire,” said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. “We are grateful to the more than 1,500 donors who stepped forward to collectively contribute the $850,000 we needed to make this happen. We are equally pleased that the board of the Tillotson Corporation gave us the opportunity to conserve this land.

“We have already developed a strong working relationship with the hotel’s new owners, who own the now-protected land,” Difley said. “Like everyone else, we want to see them succeed in renovating and re-opening the hotel.”

As part of the transaction, the Forest Society also acquired a deeded transmission line right-of-way coveted by the controversial Northern Pass proposal. By acquiring both the conservation restrictions and the powerline ROW, the Forest Society effectively removed the threat that Northern Pass would be able to cross the 5,800 conserved acres without eminent domain.

“While we began this project because of the extraordinary natural attributes of the land, in the end I think this campaign also became a referendum on Northern Pass,” Difley said. “We received donations from far and wide and in many cases those donors told us that they were driven by a desire to stop the Northern Pass proposal.”

Susanne Kibler-Hacker, vp of development,
 signing paperwork at the closing.

The more than 1,500 donations ranged from $1 to $150,000. Donations came from all over New Hampshire, but appreciation of the Balsams landscape was evident nationwide as gifts were received from 22 states including Hawaii, Arizona, California and other far-flung locales, as well as from Quebec, Canada.

A purchase-and-sale agreement signed in December gave the Forest Society until Jan. 15 to raise the $850,000 necessary to close the transaction. The conservation restrictions will prohibit further subdivision and commercial development while allowing sustainable forestry and recreational access.

The land that is now protected surrounds the site of the hotel. The land immediately adjacent to the hotel, the golf course and the Wilderness ski area are not part of the conserved area. The conserved land will include the popular outlook known as Table Rock that offers a spectacular vista across Coos County to Maine, Vermont and Canada. The 30 miles of recreational trails include hiking and snowmobiling trails as well as a section of the Cohos Trail that runs from Crawford Notch in the White Mountains to the Canadian border in Pittsburg.

Other conservation values include wildlife habitat for rare species such as American Marten and Bicknell’s Thrush, extensive water resources such as Mud Pond, healthy, well managed stands of sugar maple and areas of likely old growth forest.



THANK YOU NEW HAMPSHIRE!

Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,500 donors, the Forest Society is pleased to report that we have raised the $850,000 needed to conserve the landscape surrounding the historic Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch. The fundraising deadline was Jan. 15.

"Given what a special place Dixville Notch is, we felt from the start that people would respond to our call to conserve it," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "But to be honest we had no inkling that the public interest is protecting these 5,800 acres would be so strong. We've had so many emails and calls from people offering to help any way they could. I can't thank everyone enough, including the Tillotson Corporation for choosing to work with us to conserve the land. We believe, as they do, that this outcome is in the best interests of the North Country and, indeed, all of New Hampshire."

Interest in the Balsams conservation project ballooned when Northern Pass, LLC, attempted to interfere with the transaction, arguing that siting its proposed private, commercial HVDC overhead transmission line project was a better fit.

The 1500-plus gifts ranged from a few dollars to $150,000. The number of gifts is greater by far than any other conservation project in modern Forest Society history.

"Based on the notes and comments we've received along with donations, it's evident that many people saw the Balsams landscape campaign as a referendum on Northern Pass," Difley said. "Our success is one more strong statement by those who understand the true value of New Hampshire's forested landscape: the proposed Northern Pass transmission line is not wanted and offers little or no benefit to the state."

Forest Society staff and its attorneys are working on the paperwork required to complete the transaction within the next week.

Save the Balsams Gifts Continue to Flow: 1300 Donors, $817,000

With 48 hours left before the deadline in the Save the Balsams Landscape campaign, more than 1,300 donors have expressed their desire to see the forests surrounding the historic Dixville Notch protected by making gifts small and large. We at the Forest Society are humbled by so much generosity and so many good wishes. We asked others to help us get the word out about the opportunity to protect this iconic landscape and everyone has continued to do so. Thank you.

And it is working. We have raised $817,000 toward our $850,000 goal. This latest total includes a generous $25,000 gift that was confirmed today, leaving $33,000 to go by Sunday, Jan. 15. For those still interested in making a donation to the Balsams campaign, you can do so via our website (click the Donate Now button to the right of this post) or by sending a check to Forest Society, 54 Portsmouth St., Concord, NH  03801 (just mark "Balsams campaign" on the check).

More than 1,100 Gifts Bring Total to $778,000 with Just Days Left

To date we've received more than 1,100 donations totalling $778,000 to help conserve the 5,800 acres surrounding the historic Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, making it the most supported land protection project in recent Forest Society history. It tells us that New Hampshire loves the Balsams and New Hampshire loves Dixville Notch.

Donations of all sizes continue to roll in via the web (click on Donate Now to the right of this post), via phone (603-224-9945) and even in person. If the pace of giving continues as it has been, we are optimistic that we will reach the $850,000 we need to conserve the land.

Haas Fund, NHTOA Inspire Others as Balsams Deadline Draws Near

The Forest Society continues to tally contributions to the Save the Balsams Landscape Campaign as they come in via our website, mail and by phone. As of now (end of day Monday, Jan. 9) we are at $745,000, leaving $105,000 to go with less than a week left before the Jan. 15 deadline.
So far we have more than 800 individual donations.
Major gifts that have come in recently include $30,000 from the Thomas W. Haas Fund.
In making the generous donation, Tom Haas said that he hopes it will be one of many contributions the Forest Society will receive in the closing days of the Save the Balsams Landscape campaign, ensuring its success.
"I want to thank Tom not only for his generosity but also for recognizing the statewide importance of the Dixville Notch landscape," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "The campaign so far has been driven by a remarkable combination of major gifts like that from the Thomas W. Haas Fund and many, many smaller gifts from people all across the state and region."
Also looking to inspire others to donate is the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA), which contributed $1,000 to campaign.
"This gift is to show support for the working forest easement that the Forest Society is putting on this parcel. We hope our gift will inspire other members of the NHTOA and those in the forestry community to support this project" said Ann Davis, president of the NHTOA.
Founded 100 years ago, the NHTOA is a statewide landowner and forest products industry trade association dedicated to maintaining New Hampshire’s working forests.
"This gift comes at an especially significant time for the NHTOA celebrated its centennial in 2011," said Jasen Stock, executive director of the NHTOA. "In 1911, the original owners of the Balsams property were one of the founding members of the NHTOA."

Seven Days to Go: Over 700 Donors Reach $700K

With more than 700 individuals reaching deep to make donations to help conserve the 5,800 acres surrounding the historic Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, the campaign crested the $700,000 mark. With a week left before the Jan. 15 deadline, the Forest Society must still raise $150,000 to reach the $850,000 needed to aquire conservation restrictions and extinguish the HVDC transmission line Right of Way that Northern Pass proposed for the scenic property.

Donor Pledges $150,000 to Balsams Land Conservation

The campaign to conserve 5,800 acres surrounding the historic Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch received a substantial boost today as an anonymous donor stepped forward with a $150,000 contribution. With a little more than a week to go before the January 15 deadline, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests has raised a total of $609,000 toward the $850,000 it needs to acquire conservation restrictions on the iconic landscape.

“This is fabulous news,” said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. “This generous gift is just the shot in the arm we need as we go into the final week of fundraising. We still have a ways to go, and we need everyone who would like to see the land protected to step forward if they haven’t already. We’re not at the end of our campaign, but we can see it from here.”

  

The campaign has drawn contributions from more than 700 individuals to date, ranging from a few dollars collected at a coffee shop to major gifts, including today’s $150,000. Donations can be made at www.forestsociety.org/balsams, or by clicking the 'Donate Now' button on this blog.

Halfway Home: Balsams Campaign Reaches $425K

The Save the Balsams Landscape campaign reached the halfway mark in the Forest Society's effort to raise $850,000 to conserve 5,800 acres surrounding the historic Balsams hotel in Dixville Notch, NH. As of noon on Wednesday, January 4 the Forest Society has received payments or pledges totalling $425,000.

"We can feel the momentum building," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "Supporters of forest conservation are as determined as we are to reach our goal and protect the landscape of Dixville Notch."

Balsams Contributions Top $400K

Continued strong online donations continue to fuel the Save the Balsams Landscape campaign with totals reaching the $400,000 mark.

"We're so grateful to everyone who's donated so far," said Jane Difley. "It's clear that one of the things that is helping the campaign is that supporters of this project are forwarding on emails and links to our website (www.forestsociety.org/balsams) to their friends and colleagues who may have an interest or know someone who does."

Many Resolve to Conserve the Balsams Landscape

Between midday on New Year’s Eve and the afternoon of New Year’s Day, we received more than 100 gifts through the web to support the conservation of the Balsams landscape. Over the next few days, we will find out how many more people wrote checks over the holiday weekend in support of the effort. We are grateful for every gift and especially grateful to those who have also encouraged others to give. It is great to see people from all over New Hampshire and beyond come together to accomplish this ambitious goal. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Balsams Fundraising Still Climbing at $315,000

As the short holiday week comes to an end, supporters of conserving the Balsams landscape have donated a total of $315,000 so far. This means that we're now more than a third of the way toward reaching the $850,000 goal. Thanks to all.

Those of whom still want to make donation that will be tax-deductible for 2011 can still do so by sending a check (Forest Society, 54 Portsmouth St., Concord, NH  03301) or by donating online (just click the Donate Now link on the right side of the blog).

A Spectacular Landscape

The view of the Balsams in the photo above (that's me on Table Rock in the photo above) is nothing short of spectacular, and photos don't do it justice.

As part of the Forest Society team that spent nearly two weeks investigating the 5800 acres that is proposed for protection, I had a chance to see not only the well known views, but the remote corners of the Balsams land.

I've travelled most of the back roads and byways of New Hamsphire. At one time or another, I've been in every town, city and unincorporated place in the state. I can say, unquivocably, that the landscape at the Balsams is one the crown jewells of New England, if not the nation.

From the singular view from Table Rock (a short, but steep hike from Route 26) to the cliffs of Abeniki Mountain (where Peregrine Falcons nest) to the top of Sanguinary Ridge (where American Marten are frequent and Canada Lynx very likely) the high elevations of the land are stunning and accessible.

Then there's Mud Pond. What an unfortunate name for a remote, totally unspoiled high elevation pond that hosts the full array of North Country wildlife. I've been asked if it contains wild Eastern brook trout, and I suspect it does, but no angler so far has revealed its secrets.

The already existing trail system is astounding. When it is operating, the Balsams manages cross country ski trails over thousands of acres. It would take days to ski them all. Winter also provides opportunities for snowmobiling on designated trails maintained in cooperation with local clubs. One might wonder if there would be conflicts between skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers, but the system of trails is well designed to prevent such problems. In the summer, those same roads have been a favorite of Balsams guests on mountain bikes.

Without question, this land has been carefully managed for decades. While forestry has been part of this land for generations, careful planning by foresters with a sensitivity for unique natural features has left some extraordinary features intact. As anyone familiar with the history of New England knows, true "old growth" or original forest, is a very rare thing. But there are stands of hardwoods on the Balsams forest that contain trees that have been there since before this region was settled. During our investigations we found one fallen yellow birch that as more than 160 years old. And it wasn't even close to being one of the largest trees at that site.

Yes, the Balsams Resort is a national treasure in and of itself. We have great hopes that the new owners will be successful in renovating it and restoring it to its historic grandeur. But the Hotel, golf course and Wilderness Ski Area are just the tip of the natural "iceberg" in Dixville Notch.

The protection of this extraordinary landscape will ensure that generations of Americans will always have access to explore one of the nation's great places. I've made my contribution to the campaign, and I hope you will too.

$270K and Counting: Balsams Donations Keep Rolling In

Thanks to the many, many supporters who are not only donating themselves but asking their friends and relatives to consider making a donation as well, the Save the Balsams Landscape campaign keeps rolling on. As of the end of the business day Dec. 29 we have raised $270,000 toward the $850,000 goal that will allow us to purchase conservation restrictions on 5,800 acres of land surrounding the historic Balsams hotel in Dixville Notch.

As a reminder, these are tax-deductible donations and there are just two days left in 2011! So if you or someone you know would like to make a gift, you can do so online (just click the Donate Now button on the right-hand side of this blog) or send a check to The Forest Society, 54 Portsmouth St., Concord, NH  03301. Our offices are open today, Dec. 30, so feel free to call us at 603-224-9945 if you'd like more information or would like to make a donation over the phone.

And thank you to everyone.

Balsams Landscape Fundraising Reaches $250,000

The campaign to conserve 5800 acres of the landscape surrounding the iconic Balsams Resort Wilderness hotel is nearly 30 percent toward reaching the goal. Driven by online donations the campaign hit the $250,000 mark on Tuesday, well on the way toward the $850,000 needed to execute the signed purchase-and-sale agreement with the Tillotson Corporation for conservation restrictions.

The Long Trail to Conserve the Balsams Landscape

In September 2000, I stood on the patio of the golf club at the Balsams watching the setting sun with Neil Tillotson. He began telling stories drawn from the landscape before us. Starting at Mount Hereford where he was born, we wandered the rugged terrain from his youth to old age exploring its rocky ridges and boggy depressions, summers on foot and winters on snowshoes, moments of peace in nature and times of high adventure until we arrived back where we started as the sun slipped beneath the horizon. In the afterglow that highlighted the color-dappled forest, I broached the topic of conserving this land. He himself made the case that it offers encounters with wildness and a chance to develop self-reliance that can't be found many places anymore. We talked briefly of the practicalities of accomplishing this project, and I asked him how he would like to proceed. With the hubris that one is entitled to having lived in three centuries, he winked at me and said, “I'll take care of this when I do my estate planning.”

It is common knowledge that Mr. Tillotson never got around to doing much estate planning. He was too busy living life to its fullest to even consider that the time had come to attend to this. When he died the next year at age 102, there was no clear path to achieving the conservation of this property. It has taken many brilliant minds many years to sort out his estate and arrive at the point where this project that began more than a decade ago can be completed. It is in memory of him and for the people of New Hampshire that together we will conserve the Balsams landscape.

A Sleigh Full of Gifts to Conserve the Balsams Landscape

Many people throughout the greater Northeast added the Conserve the Balsams Landscape Campaign to their gift giving lists. Each breaking news story brought a flurry of gifts as donors encouraged us to carry on in spite of the challenge by Northern Pass and then celebrated the favorable decision by the Director of Charitable Trusts by giving even more. Mid-week discussions with an anonymous donor about a $100,000 grant were encouraging and undaunted by any question about whether the project would proceed. In the time it has taken me to write these few words in the middle of Christmas day, another six gifts came in over the web, and a pledge came in by email. It is a testament to the importance of this project that so many people took time out of a busy holiday week to support our efforts. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Balsams Sale with Forest Society Approved by AG

The Division of Charitable Trusts today approved the sale of conservation restrictions and a powerline right-of-way to the Society for the Protection of NH Forests for $850,000. The Forest Society has a signed purchase-and-sale agreement to conserve 5800 acres and extinguish the right-of-way.

"We're pleased to be working with the Tillotson Corporation and we're happy that the Charitable Trust Division approved the of the sale of the conservation restrictions on the Balsams land," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "We are confident that those who appreciate the natural beauty and economic value of New Hampshire' forests and special places will step forward and help us achieve their conservation in Dixville Notch."

A copy of the letter from the Charitable Trusts division of the NH Attorney General's office can be seen here.

Northern Pass Interference in Balsams Land Conservation

The Forest Society is aware that Northern Pass continues to attempt to interfere in a transaction between two private parties, the Tillotson Corporation and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Curiously, PSNH and Northern Pass seem unclear on the fact that the negotiations are over and that they are an unwanted suitor. The Forest Society has a signed legal contract to acquire conservation restrictions and the power line right of way on 5800 acres of lands surrounding the Balsams Wilderness Resort, and we have every intention of completing that transaction by Jan. 15.

We would point out that as a 110-year-old non-profit land trust that holds more than 700 conservation easements, the Forest Society is uniquely qualified to determine appropriate conservation outcomes, acquire conservation easements, and monitor those easements. Northern Pass, a for-profit shell corporation seeking to build a private commercial transmission line, would not be in a position to make such judgements or to acquire such a conservation easement.

It's clear that Northern Pass and PSNH are unwilling or unable to understand that not everything has a dollar price. It's also evident that Northern Pass and PSNH will resort to any tactics in attempt to force private landowners to sell to them. This is what landowners across New Hampshire have to look forward to as Northern Pass and PSNH attempt to bully their way across the landscape for their private transmission project.

That said, we appreciate the publicity their actions are bringing to our fundraising campaign. Online donations may be made at www.forestsociety.org/balsams. More information about our campaign to conserve the iconic Balsams landscape can be found here http://savethebalsamslandscape.blogspot.com/.

Merry Christmas!

Santa comes early to the Conserve the Balsams Landscape Campaign

Many New Hampshire residents deferred their Christmas shopping today to make a gift to Conserve the Balsams Landscape. We had a steady stream of visitors hand delivering checks in addition to those gifts made by phone, over the web and through the mail. This busiest day yet for the campaign was sparked by the news reports that Northern Pass is objecting to this conservation project. Donors expressed their disappointment, anger and disgust that Northern Pass would interfere with the conservation of this cherished landscape. We are working day and night to deliver to the people of New Hampshire one of the finest holiday gifts we can imagine: 5,800 acres of the North Country landscape for all to enjoy in perpetuity.

Northern Pass Aims to Block Balsams Land Conservation

As Annmarie Timmins reports here in the Concord Monitor, Northern Pass is so unhappy about the Tillotson Corporation's decision to pursue a conservation outcome for the lands surrounding the Balsams that they had their attorneys complain to the NH Charitable Trusts Division. Their complaint? That Tillotson should have taken their offer instead, and was somehow obligated to do so.
We believe that the Attorney General’s office will agree with the Tillotson Corp that the transaction outlined in our Purchase and Sale agreement with them is in the best interests of the North Country. The attempt by Northern Pass to interfere with a transaction between two private parties is a clear indication of their desperation. It’s the moral equivalent of using eminent domain to force a private landowner to sell to them.
"We understand that corporations like Northern Pass are focused on the bottom line," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "However, like many of our fellow landowners and our conservation partners, we also understand that money isn’t the only thing that matters in New Hampshire. Our forests, our land, scenic views and iconic places matter deeply to us. And they can’t always be bought."