Department of Planning
and Development Services
Conservation
The Hartford Conservation Commission was established in
1990. Its charge is to:
- develop an inventory of natural resources throughout
Hartford;
- maintain and preserve natural areas;
- acquire and protect valuable wildlife habitat, scenic
view shed and watershed areas;
- educate and increase awareness of conservation and
recreation goals and impacts; and
- encourage recreational uses consistent with the
preservation of the natural beauty that exists within our
town.
Commission Membership and
Meetings
The Conservation Commission consists of seven members who
serve terms of four years. Current members of the
Conservation Commission include Karen Douville, Jim Peters,
Patrick Doran, Celia Chen, Chuck Wooster, Michael McCrory
and Skip Spaulding. The Commission meets on the first Monday
of the month (with the exception of holidays whereby
meetings are moved to the following Monday). Meetings are
open to the public and are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Hartford
Municipal Building.
Special Projects
The Hartford Conservation Commission has taken on the
responsibility of maintenance for two conservation lands in
Hartford:
- Maanawaka Conservation Area: Through grants and the
use of Town conservation funds, the Town was successful
in purchasing this 21 acre parcel located at the southern
end of the Hazen Trail on a Connecticut River backwater.
The Maanawaka Conservation Area is located off Route 5
just north of Wilder Village. This summer, the
Conservation Commission constructed a new trail
(Backwater Trail) that provides access to the backwater
on the Connecticut River.
- Hurricane Hill Town Forest: Hurricane Hill Town
Forest consists of 423 acres and is located off Reservoir
Road and Kings Highway. The site rises in elevation to
1,312' at Neals Hill. The Upper and Lower Hurricane
Forest Reservoirs also are located on the property.
During the last two years, the Conservation Commission
has focused on the development and implementation of a
Forest Management Plan for Hurricane Hill Town
Forest.
Work with Local
Schools
The Hartford Conservation Commission has established a
close working relationship with the Hartford High School and
Hartford Area Career & Technology Center on a variety of
projects related to the Maanawaka Conservation Area and
Hurricane Town Forest.
Cooperation with Other
Conservation Commissions
The Hartford Conservation Commission works cooperatively
with other Conservation Commissions in the Upper Valley and
recently worked with the Norwich Conservation Commission on
maintenance of the Hazen Trail.
Interested in Getting
Involved
If you have any suggestions for conservation projects,
please contact Planner, Matt Osborn at mosborn@Hartford-vt.org
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