NH Fish and Game pledges $60,000 to Hazelton Farm conservation

The NH Fish and Game Department visited the Hazelton Farm in June to assess the wildlife habitat and fishseries on the land. With 2/3 mile frontage on the Cockermouth River, and 1.5 miles of frontage along both sides of Wise Brook, they were very impressed with the high value habitat in the lower hayfields and throughout the well-managed forests. They noted the importance of riparian buffers to the water courses to provide safe corridors for wildlife to travel, keep water temperatures lower for fish and amphibians, and provide cover for many bird species. Photo of Cockermouth River.

Please help conserve the historic and picturesque 270-acre Hazelton farm in Hebron! We need to raise $300,000 by September 30 to complete the purchase of a conservation easement, transaction expenses and stewardship to protect the land from development forever! We have received the first grant from the newly-created John Gemmill Newfound Fund for almost $30,000. This fund was established by Helen Gemmill in honor of her father and his love for the Newfound Lake region in 2011. John was the director of Cape Pasquaney for 22 years.

Open to the public for year-round recreation, the Hazelton easement will also protect 2/3 mile of frontage along the Cockermouth River and 1.5 miles along Wise Brook which both feed into Newfound Lake. The land extends up the foothills of Tenney Mountain and Crosby Mountain, and is visible from the lake and surrounding hillsides.