Some of the best conservation wins are when we are able to connect a newly conserved parcel to already conserved land. Such was the case with Maynard Forest III, a 250-acre forest in Keene, NH along Old Gilsum Road. Maynard Forest III connects the City of Keene's 1,077-acre Goose Pond Forest to the Conservancy’s 267-acre Maynard Forest, creating a contiguous block of conserved land extending north into Gilsum. The longer the stretch of conserved land, the more benefit it holds for wildlife. 

For this reason, both the Conservancy and the City of Keene have long prioritized this forest for protection, and we are proud to help realize the dream. The property itself is considered important wildlife habitat by the NH Wildlife Action Plan, including 90 acres of Tier 1 habitat – the highest ranked wildlife habitat in New Hampshire.

*Transaction funding for the project was provided by the Quabbin-to Cardigan Partnership, a public/private effort to protect the Monadnock highlands of western New Hampshire and north central Massachusetts. To learn more, visit www.q2cpartnership.org.