Ensure these Islands' Future
Island Pond in Stoddard is a community treasure, made all the more so by its namesake islands. From rocky specks with scarcely a tree to the deeply forested "Maximus," the islands harbor diverse wildlife and beckon paddlers to picnic or pick blueberries.
New Stewards
The same family has owned Island Pond’s nine islands and two mainland marshes for generations. They have always welcomed visitors and maintained public access, but the family now needs to step away from these responsibilities. To ensure the islands remain well cared-for and accessible, they have offered to donate them and the marshlands to the Monadnock Conservancy.
Four of the islands are protected by a conservation easement held by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. However, despite this protection, the lack of a dedicated long-term owner could put the unique and sensitive islands at risk of misuse or neglect. The Monadnock Conservancy is willing to take on this role, and we have the skills and resources to steward these special places and ensure they remain open to the public.
Please Donate Today
While the family is generously donating the land, the Monadnock Conservancy must still bear costs of managing the transaction and ensuring we’re well-positioned to steward the property once we receive it. This is where you can help. A total of $25,000 is needed to cover expenses including our staff time, legal fees, boundary surveying (for the mainland parcels), an environmental site assessment, and dedicated long-term funds to cover future responsibilities.
$5,000 of our goal has already been raised. Will you consider a donation to help raise the remaining $20,000? Gifts of all sizes add up in a big way and will help us maintain these jewels of the pond in perpetuity. Donations can be mailed directly to the Monadnock Conservancy at PO Box 337, Keene, NH 03431, or you can give online below. Gifts of stock, allocations from a donor-advised fund, or disbursements from a retirement account are all welcome.
Have questions?
Please email Ryan Owens, executive director, with any questions about the project, or call him at 603-357-0600, ext. 103. If you have any questions about donating, please contact Lindsay Taflas, development director, by email or at 603-357-0600, ext. 113.