HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011
Highlights of this past summer and fall include a visit with the Monroe Conservation Commission while enjoying a tour of the town-owned Northern Pond Natural Area. If you’ve never visited this really pretty spot in our neighboring town, it’s open for public use all year and has nice hiking trails surrounding Northern Pond and its adjoining wetlands. There’s also a hand carry canoe launch and some nice picnic spots. See the Town of Monroe website for more information or pick up a trail map at the Monroe Town Office. The property is accessed from the Dahlia Farm Rd., where there is a sign and parking area.
We also visited Dixmont’s largest parcel of town-owned land – 100 acres of woodland located in the northeast corner of town along the discontinued North Road. This land was deeded to the Town by the federal government and can never be developed, but is open for all of us to enjoy. The southern half of the property is nice upland forest with wonderful old stone foundations, stone walls, and even an old apple orchard – all remnants of a bye-gone era. The northern half has a wetland we plan to visit this spring to see what kind of wildlife use it gets. There aren’t many trails, but perhaps that’s something the Conservation Commission could work on if residents are interested in seeing trail access improved.
In December, the Conservation Commission hosted a presentation at the Town Office by the Maine Farmland Trust. The talk was an overview of the Trust’s new guidebook on the various tools and strategies towns can use to support and encourage agriculture. The presentation was very well attended, with many members of the Town’s boards and committees present, as well as most of our commercial farmers. We all recognize how important Dixmont’s farmland is - with its matrix of fields, woods and wetlands - to maintaining the rural landscape and open space for wildlife and recreation we all value. We also recognize the tremendous stewardship and generosity of these landowners who not only work and care for their land, but share it with the rest of us to enjoy hiking, hunting, horsesback riding and other outdoor activities.
Later this winter, we plan to host a companion workshop focused on some of the resources and programs available to encourage and support landowners who are interested in conserving their farmland, woodlots or open space for the future. We probably will invite neighboring communities as well, and hope for a really good turnout. Please keep an eye out for an announcement posted in the Rolling Thunder, on the bulletin board and outdoor sign board at the Town Office, and on our webpage on the Town’s website.
The Conservation Commission meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 6:30pm in the Town Office. These meetings are open to the public and residents are welcome to attend and participate in Commission discussions and activities. If you have ideas, concerns, or questions that we might be able to help you with, please feel free to come to one of our meetings or contact any of the members.
Conservation Commissioner Members: Dick Andren, Judy Cook, Carolyn Dodge, Grace Keown, Lynne Lamstein, Gerry Sawyer, Beth Swartz, and Anne Warner.