Land trust gets $3,000 in startup money for watershed conservation

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — North County Land Trust Inc. was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership to initiate a conservation project in the northern part of the city. The money is expected to help the regional land conservation organization cover the initial expenses of a project to conserve land in the Bailey, Wilder, and Perley Brook watersheds, and for land trust Executive Director Janet Morrison, the financial support is much appreciated. “This is land is very important and there are quite a few large parcels of land involved,” said Ms. Morrison. “These are pretty much wide-open spaces and they contain cold water fisheries.” Ms. Morrison stressed that the protection of the watersheds are crucial for maintaining both the ecological and human health of the city. According to Ms. Morrison, the Perley Brook watershed protects drinking water flowing into the Perley Brook Reservoir, and together with Wilder and Bailey brooks, the three watersheds comprise an area of “core habitat” designated by the state’s Natural Hertiage and Endangered Species Program. Essentially the designation means that the area contains rare plant and animal habitats, and viable natural plant communities that support these habitats. “We are hoping that this project will be successful,” said Ms. Morrison. “We are excited to get to work in Gardner.” For residents looking for more information, a Conservation Forum the North Quabbin Landscape Partnership is sponsoring at the Levi Heywood Library at 6 p.m. today. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 3 on 6/25/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 150)