The Upper Valley Land Trust, the City of Lebanon and the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring back a popular program that celebrates the City’s natural assets. UVLT President Jeanie McIntyre says, “Lebanon is a thriving small city with a big outdoors. ‘Wild About Lebanon’ puts the spotlight on what makes the City so special.”
The program’s roots go back fifteen years. In 2003, volunteer Nicole Cormen initiated a program of outdoor events around Lebanon, NH. Her goal was to acquaint people with Lebanon's beautiful and varied conserved public lands. She created Wild About Lebanon as a way to showcase the importance of open space, and make sure that all Lebanon residents had the opportunity to visit these properties and learn about the natural world right outside their doors.
Nicole Cormen’s service to the City started as a Park Ranger and grew to include long stints on the Conservation Commission and the City Council. She was a tireless activist for conserved and wild land in Lebanon. She was honored as the 2015 Citizen of the Year by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.
McIntyre says the partners are joining to revitalize the program Cormen started, “as a tribute to Nicole's memory and also as an ongoing testament to the accomplishments a single volunteer can make in their community.” Also, says, Mark Goodwin, who works in the City’s Planning Department, “Nicole just loved being outdoors. We hope to spread some of that joy.”
The 2018 Wild About Lebanon series will showcase a variety of City owned and privately owned land within the city limits. We hope to offer a wide range of activities for everyone from children to the elderly. We are also still looking for volunteers to help plan and lead events. If interested, please contact Alison Marchione at alison.marchione@uvlt.org or (603) 643-662.
Cross Country Ski/Snowshoe at Balestra
Event Details
March 18, 2018
12:00pm - 3:00pm
14 Stevens Road, Lebanon, NH
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Join UVLT, the City of Lebanon, and Suellen Balestra at her conserved Lebanon Farm for a day of cross country skiing or snowshoeing and beautiful scenic vistas! When you are done skiing join us in the barn for small reception to kick off the beginning of our Wild About Lebanon Series! Snacks and hot drinks will be provided. If the snow remains on the ground we are attempting to groom at least part of the trail. (Varying distances and difficulty)
Earth Day at Starr Hill Celebrating the Spirit of Conservation and the life of Laurel Letter
Event Details
April 22, 2018
3:00PM
The Woodlands, 30 Alice Peck Day Drive, Lebanon, NH
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Join UVLT staff in a short hike from the Woodlands through Starr Hill Preserve. We will start at the Woodlands upper parking lot to the plaque dedicated to Laurel for her hard work to help UVLT buy, conserve, and give the property to the City. (1 mile, easy)
Click here to view more information on Starr Hill
Bird Walk: Lebrun Meadow to Mill Road
Event Details
May 5, 2018
7:00am-9:00am
Ice House Road Parking Lot, Lebanon, NH
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Join Jeff MacQueen (Mascoma Audubon) in a walk through several different bird habitats to spot the spring migrants! We will begin at Lebrun Meadow on Route 4 which is owned by the City of Lebanon and managed as grassland habitat. After scoping out the meadow for grassland birds we will walk the rail trail along Mascoma Lake and River, past UVLT conserved Emerson Edge Tool Mill, to look for waterfowl. Finally we will visit UVLT’s Mill Road Preserve to search for forest birds. We will walk the rail trail back and return to Ice House Road parking lot. (2 Miles, Easy & Flat)
Hike Indian Ridge
Event Details
June 8, 2018
Time: TBA
Meeting Location TBA
This trail system follows a north-south ridgeline with an approximately 500 ft change in elevation. The property contains historic stone walls, mature hardwood and softwood forest stands, as well as stream and wetland features. (1.6 mile, strenuous)
Family Picnic at Jackson Conservation Area
Event Details
August (Date TBA)
Time: TBA
Porter Road, Lebanon NH
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Join us at the Jackson Conservation Area for a short, family oriented hike through the conserved property, ending with a (BYO) picnic! Spread out on the grass, pick blueberries, and enjoy the sunshine. Educational experiences for kids provided. (.5 mi, easy)
Hike Farnum Hill
Event Details
September (Date TBA)
Time: TBA
Meeting Location (TBA)
This hike features a trail system that follows a north-south trending ridge, with three distinct summits, as well as notable views afforded in all directions from numerous points along the ridge. At approximately 850 acres, the property is currently the largest of the Lebanon Conservation Lands. The Dr. W. Myric Wood, Jr. family owned this property until a transfer to the City of Lebanon in 1982. Through the persistence of the Wood family, this beautiful reserve of upland forestland will be enjoyed for generations to come. (3 miles, Strenous)
Click here to view more information about Farnum Hill Reserve
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As events are planned more information will be posted, please check back for updates or visit the UVLT calendar. Always check back for updates on events!
Additional Information:
Wild About Lebanon Flyer (PDF)
Conservation Properties & Maps