Five Rivers Conservation Trust

🌿 Vernal Pool and Floodplain Walk – April 25 in Loudon 🐸

Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon for a guided walk at the Boisvert & Normand Nature Preserve in Loudon, a Five Rivers conserved property.

Explore managed forests, vernal pools, the Soucook River shoreline, and signs of spring with Wetland Scientists Lee Carbonneau and Sarah Allen and preserve owners Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand We’ll look for wood frog and spotted salamander egg masses, tadpoles, and other vernal pool wildlife while learning why these temporary wetlands are so important.

Details:
🥾 Moderate walk
🎒 Rubber boots, bug spray/net, and binoculars recommended
👥 Limited to 15 participants
🌧 Rain date: May 2, 2026
✅ Registration required

Please register only if you plan to attend and are available for the rain date.

REGISTRATION: https://5rct.org/vernal-pool-floodplain-walk-april-25-loudon/

🌿 89 Acres Conserved in Dunbarton! 🌿

We’re excited to share that Five Rivers Conservation Trust has permanently protected 89 acres at the Englund Family Farm in Dunbarton. This special property—once part of the historic Twiss Farm—features farm fields, forests, wetlands, and active beaver ponds that provide rich habitat for wildlife including bear, moose, turkeys, and wood ducks.

Owned by Tom and Sue Englund since 1983, the land has long been a place of exploration and connection for their family. In 2023, Sue worked with Five Rivers and longtime volunteer project manager Rob Knight to ensure this land would be protected forever.
The conservation easement also opens the door for future public recreation, including a potential trail head and hiking trails as part of a greenbelt around the Dunbarton village center.

This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Englund family, the support of the Dunbarton Conservation Commission, and the efforts of many dedicated conservation partners. Together, we’re helping protect the rural character and natural beauty of Dunbarton for generations to come.

Learn more about our work conserving land in the greater capital region: www.5rct.org

We are thrilled to announce the permanent protection of Dustin Woods, a 39-acre property along the Warner River in Hopkinton, NH, that has been in the Dustin family for more than 200 years. 🌿

Protected in partnership with the Town of Hopkinton, this conservation easement ensures the land remains undeveloped, publicly accessible, and ecologically healthy.

Dustin Woods features a stunning river overlook, high-value wildlife habitat, and a landscape shaped by generations of thoughtful stewardship.

This project was made possible through LCHIP, Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, the NH Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, the NH DES Local Source Water Protection Grant Program, the Hopkinton Conservation Commission, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Local Land Conservation Fund, along with generous community support.

The land connects to neighboring Five Rivers trails, expanding public access for low-impact recreation like hiking and bird watching. https://5rct.org/dustin-woods-permanently-conserved-along-warner-river-in-hopkinton/

Dustin Woods Permanently Conserved Along Warner River in Hopkinton - Five Rivers Conservation Trust December 16, 2025 - Five Rivers Conservation Trust is proud to announce the permanent protection of Dustin Woods, a 39-acre property along the Warner River in Hopkinton that has remained in the Dustin family for more than 200 years. Completed in partnership with the Town of Hopkinton, this conservat...

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧

🥾 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥
📍 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐍𝐇
🌲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟐-𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥, 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧
📅 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

If you’re looking for a local trail that kids will love and parents will appreciate, the Sweatt Preserve Nature Trail in Hopkinton, NH is a hidden gem worth discovering. Just outside Hopkinton Village along Old Stagecoach Road, this 73-acre woodland invites young explorers to experience the magic of the forest—without an all-day trek.

The loop trail is under 2 miles and offers a little bit of everything for curious minds and restless legs: footbridges over a brook, shady hemlock groves tucked in a ravine, and rolling terrain lined by mossy stone walls—remnants of the area’s farming past. Gifted to Five Rivers Conservation Trust in 2003 by Nancy Sweatt in memory of her husband, Robert, this preserve now welcomes walkers, snowshoers, and families year-round.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬
• Just under 2 miles of easy hiking, best suited for ages 4+ - rolling terrain with a small incline on the loop.
• Off-road parking for up to 5 cars.
• 30 minutes round trip for adults, about an hour with kids.
• A shady, deep woods feeling close to home—bug spray recommended.
• Glacial erratic boulders for climbing.
• Plank bridges over shallow streams for snack breaks and playing.

Sweatt Preserve offers families the chance to slow down and enjoy nature together. Whether it’s your child’s first hike or your hundredth, the gentle terrain, deep woods setting, and peaceful atmosphere make it an easy choice for a quick, weekend adventure.

A more detailed trail description for the Sweatt Preserve Nature Trail can be found on the Five Rivers Conservation Trust website. https://5rct.org/sweatt-preserve/

🌾 August is peak harvest time in the Greater Concord region — and our conserved farms are overflowing with flavor! 🫐🌽🍑

👉 Check out our farm guide & seasonal highlights here:
🔗 https://5rct.org/august-on-the-farm/

From U-pick blueberries to sweet corn, it’s the perfect time to explore and support local farms that have protected their land for future generations. 🐄💚

By shopping at these farms, you're supporting conservation, sustainability, and the flavors that make summer in NH so special!

❤️🐮A heartfelt THANK YOU to Contoocook Creamery at Bohanan Farm for hosting an unforgettable Farm-to-Table dinner to benefit Five Rivers Conservation Trust!

Despite the seriously steamy weather🥵, over 100 guests gathered under the tent to enjoy a delicious feast of locally raised chicken 🍗, farm-fresh corn 🌽, crisp greens 🥗, and creamy local ice cream🍦.

🌧️ A surprise downpour brought a refreshing cool-off… and a stunning rainbow to cap off a perfect evening. 🌈

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and support land conservation and local farming in the Capital Region! 🐄

The moment you all have been waiting for!!!!
We are open for the 2025 season!!!
Honor system, there is a box on the side of the wooden berry hut!
Happy picking!!!

Join us on July 17th for a Local Farm-to-Table Dinner fundraiser supporting Five Rivers Conservation Trust.

Get your tickets here: https://5rct.org/farm-to-table-benefit-2025/

☀️🥵 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫? You're not imagining it! 🔥

According to 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥, an independent team of scientists and communicators tracking climate trends 🌍, today’s temperature in the Capital Region of NH is 2.4°C (4.3°F) above normal for this date. And across the U.S., 192 cities experienced a 1.5°F increase in average June temps. 😳📈

👉 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘏 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵? ☀️💦🍦🌊🎣⛱️ 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴!

Photo Credit: Dan Turner

Celebrate our region with a farm-to-table feast supporting Five Rivers Conservation Trust on July 17! Every contribution helps preserve New Hampshire’s stunning landscapes.

Be a part of protecting the Capital Region’s treasured lands way of life. Reserve your spot today! 🌱🌅

Purchase tickets here: https://5rct.org/farm-to-table-benefit-2025/