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 wildland 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. Please contact UVLT (Call 603-643-6626; email Alison.marchione@uvlt.org ) or the Lebanon Planning Office ( 603 448-1457 ext.1471; email mark.goodwin@lebcity.com ) with any questions you might have.