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.