How are conservation funds used?

Past Projects

To Conserve Water and Protect Water Quality

The WCC developed and proposed the Aquifer Protection District, which is a low density overlay district to protect the quality and quantity of drinking water available in Winchester's aquifer.

To Create Recreational Areas in Winchester

Gardiner Mountain Area:

Progress has been made on the rejuvenation of a project begun in 1989 creating a nature trail on Route 10 in an area called Gardiner Mountain Conservation Area. We plan to create a trail guide and trail maps, and identify trees, plants, and habitats with signs. Two trail bridges have been completed and are in place on the trail, thanks to members of Boy Scout Troop #304. We developed a parking area with a paved ramp to Route 10, and had a survey done of the  property line to resolve a dispute of over 15 years.

We hired an Antioch student to develop a Prime Wetlands Plan for the wetlands area around wells #1, #2 and #3. 

Wulff Lot: (Back Ashuelot Road over the Rail Bridge)

The WCC hired an Antioch student to develop a site plan for the Wulff property to include involvement of Thayer Middle school students with educational components including habitats, forest trees and plants, wetlands and river.

Winchester River Recreation Area: (Adjacent to Winchester Speed Park)

This is a two to three year project with a total project cost of $46,641. 

Half of the cost ($22, 321) will come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This project involves the acquisition of land bordering the Ashuelot River, with a handicap accessible pavilion, picnic tables, walkways, grass ramp to the river to reach a launching site for canoe, kayak and hover craft (for fire department emergency rescues on the river). Some of the funds will come from the Conservation Fund. The amount will depend on donations and in-kind services.

Forest Lake:

The WCC used some of the conservation fund to eradicate Milfoil (an invasive plant) from the lake. The fund was also used to pay the transaction cost of receiving donated waterfront land including a dock on Forest Lake for public use. Canoes and kayaks and other small crafts can be launched there. Picnic tables and benches will be added for use by the public. 

The WCC pledged money to the Town Beach Committee to make needed repairs and improvements to the town beach area.

To Secure Conservation Easements:

Conservation Easements are a practical way for the town and private landowners to protect their environmentally significant land while retaining ownership.

(A conservation easement ensures permanent protection from land use that could damage or destroy scenic, recreational, ecological, open space and natural resource values.) Easements ensure that future generations will benefit from the foresight of others. Population growth is rapidly consuming our natural landscapes and rural community character. There is an urgency to keep what's left of Winchester's rural charm that brought so many of us here. We must also protect drinking water, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources before it's too late.

To buy property, in the name of the town of Winchester, after a Conservation Commission hearing and a Selectboard hearing and with a vote of approval by the Selectboard.

Conservation funds can also be used for matching funds for grants, for paying transaction costs of easements, which could include surveys, title searches, long term monitoring, for educational projects and materials, and to provide for potential future legal enforcement.