Conservation lands certified as N.H. Tree Farm

The Town of Conways 1,580 acres of forested conservation land has been certified a New Hampshire Tree Farm. The New Hampshire Tree Farm Committee, New Hampshire Tree Farm Program of the American Tree Farm System makes certification.The public is invited to attend a tree farm certification presentation to the town on Saturday, Oct. 25. The presentation will take place at 10 a.m. at the Meetinghouse at Whitaker Field. A tour of Whitaker Woods to view tree farm activity there will follow.In the notice of certification, Jeffrey R Smith, who, at the time certification was chair of the New Hampshire Tree Farm Committee. said, Your efforts in forest management are commendable to date as evidenced by your ability to meet New Hampshires tough inspection standards."To achieve certification, members must have a written and active forest management plan. The plan must take into consideration the maintenance and/or enhancement of wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational opportunities as well as renewable forest resources.The Conway Conservation Commission (CCC) is responsible for managing the towns 1,629 acres of conservation lands. Those included in the tree farm are: Common Lands Hurricane Mountain Road (908 acres); Whitaker Woods (149 acres); Whitaker Homesite (43.95 acres); Pudding Pond (252 acres); Common Lands Green Hills Road (56 acres); Hubbard Davis Lot (12.7 acres); Shedd Woods (13.40 acres); and Common Lands East Conway Road (170.8 acres).Components of the tree farm certification requirements are those for Reforestation, Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat, Forest Aesthetics, Protection of Special Sites, Biodiversity, Slash Disposal and Utilization, Prudent Use of Chemicals and Forestry Contractor Use. The periodic harvest of forest products provides revenue that has funded some of the management activities of the Conservation Commission. Currently the revenue is added to a conservation land acquisition fund. In addition, Timber Tax revenue is applied to the towns general fund.Hiking, biking and cross country ski trails, scenic vistas and a scenic picnic area are found on the towns conservation lands. Recent management activities have improved white tail deer and ruffed grouse habitat. Moose, bear and snowshoe hare have also benefited.The Conway Conservation Commission is chaired by Paul Pinkham and includes Dan Lucy, vice-chair; Paul Mullen, treasurer; David Weathers, selectmens representative; Rob Adair, Chuck Broomhall, Rick Else and Connie Briggs, alternate.Don Johnson, Forest Land Improvements, is consulting forester for the conservation commission.Tree farm presentation andWhitaker Woods forest management tour is Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Whitaker Meetinghouse. Agenda includes:!. Welcome, Paul Pinkham, chair, Conway Conservation Commission.2. John OBrien, chairman, N. H. Tree Farm Committee.3. Peter Pohl, chairman, Carroll County Tree Farm Committee.4. Don Johnson, Forest Land Improvements.5. Tour of Whitaker Woods tree farm forest management activity