Mirror Lake Protective Association: Land Conservation Committee

The MLPA Land Conservation Committee works to safeguard our lake, the lake’s watershed, scenic vistas and surrounding land through land conservation activities.  Specifically, our vision and mission are as follows:

Vision:

We envision future generations enjoying Mirror Lake’s scenic beauty, clean water and natural habitat for native plants and animals.

Mission:

The Mirror Lake Land Conservation Committee’s mission is to safeguard our lake, the lake’s watershed, scenic vistas and surrounding land through land conservation activities. We will identify, prioritize, and propose sites in the Mirror Lake watershed to the Mirror Lake Protective Association (MLPA) Board of Directors and the MLPA membership for potential acquisition and/or conservation easements pinpointing lots that have significant potential to protect and improve Mirror Lake’s water quality and/or provide value for conservation, education, scenic pleasure and recreation.

Guiding Principles

A. We are committed to integrity in our work with landowners, community partners, donors, funders and volunteers.
B. We cherish our connection to Mirror Lake’s water and land and have a duty to protect the lake, scenery, native plants and animals.
C. We have a responsibility to future generations to protect Mirror Lake’s natural areas and wildlife.
D. We are dedicated to working with neighbors, individuals, organizations, resource agencies and federal, state and local government to help preserve the natural character of the region.
E. We value our relationship with landowners who have voluntarily entrusted to us the stewardship of their land to benefit future generations.
F. We believe that a healthy environment and a healthy economy are inextricably linked.
G. As part of our commitment we will marshal assets to ensure that we are a sustainable organization for purposes of protecting Mirror Lake.

Strategies

I. We will identify, prioritize and propose sites in the Mirror Lake watershed for potential acquisition and/or conservation easements pinpointing which sites have significant potential to protect and improve Mirror Lake’s water quality, and or provide value for and scenic pleasures and recreation.
II. We will work proactively and cooperatively with landowners, individuals, organizations, resource agencies, and federal, state and local government to protect the entire land ecosystem within the Mirror Lake watershed.
III. We will work to promote conservation and easement practices consistent with exemplary programs in New Hampshire.
IV. We will conduct land conservation activities that result in improved health of the vital watersheds and water resources of Mirror Lake.
V. We will implement a process for refreshing and re-evaluating our vision so that it continually reflects the values of our community and honors the perpetual nature of the organization.

Land Conservation Criteria

The parcel shall include one or all of the following;

  1. Potential to protect or improve water quality
  2. Wetlands and/or tributaries to Mirror Lake
  3. Significant or sizeable wildlife habitat
  4. Forest resources, education/scientific research, old growth preservation
  5. Access for public recreation
  6. Preservation of properties and wildlife in their natural state
  7. A connecting corridor between already protected areas to facilitate wildlife movement and recreational trails
  8. Preservation of rural and/or historic character of an area
  9. Expansion of an existing conservation parcel
  10. Preservation of a significant scenic vista

Additional factors for consideration include:

  1. Interest, contribution and cooperation of land owner
  2. Accessibility for public use
  3. Threat of development
  4. Availability of local volunteers to serve as stewards
  5. Size
  6. Proximity to conservation land
  7. Wetland characteristics
  8. Scenic value
  9. Water quality and quantity
  10. Surface water resources
  11. Streams
  12. Forest cover (diversity and quality)
  13. Wildlife
  14. Open and forested uplands
  15. Rare and endangered species
  16. Exemplary natural communities
  17. Access and fragmentation

MLPA Land Conservation Committee Members

Dusty Davies
John Dawson, Chair
Larry Gil (Tuftonboro Conservation Commission)
Gene Kelley
Robin Muench

Steve Scapicchio (Tuftonboro Conservation Commission)
Kathy Sciarappa
Ann Torregrossa
Julie Tryder

The MLPA Land Conservation Committee works in concert with the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission in their efforts to ensure the proper protection, promotion and management of the natural resources of Tuftonboro. 

Similarly, the MLPA Land Conservation Committee aligns with the Moose Mountains Regional Greenways to conserve key natural resource areas in our New Hampshire communities and connect them within a permanently protected network of greenways and open space for today and tomorrow.

Rick Van de Pol, principal of Ecosystem Management Consultants of Sandwich, NH, serves as consultant to the MLPA Land Conservation Committee and has completed a land study to guide the acquisition and management of key properties on Mirror Lake.

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