Our first event at the Chocorua Lake Conservancy’s newest protected property, the Theodore and Alice Brown Memorial Forest on Washington Hill Road in Chocorua!
Come join us on Monday, September 13, from 12:30-2:30PM for a meandering Woods Wander at the Browne Memorial Forest. This 47-acre parcel abuts the CLC Brown Lot and the Charlotte C. Browne Woods, and consists of a forest with a diverse mix of deciduous and coniferous trees sprinkled with large boulders, seeps, vernal pools, and a variety of understory plant species. There are no trails on the property, but it provides a wonderful place to explore within its boundaries.
The meandering walk will take us uphill along a gradual slope, looking for signs of wildlife and interesting plants—a bit of a scavenger hunt to find intriguing spots along the way! No doubt the mushrooms will be out in force if we continue with the rainy weather. The northerly sloping terrain gives way to a hilltop with towering pines and hemlocks, large boulders and a vernal pool we can visit on the way down. In addition to the natural history of the land, we can explore the human history as well.
Members of the Browne, VerPlanck and Greenough families will be joining us on the walk to explore land that has been, and continues to be, connected to their family for generations. The CLC is grateful for this gift of land that adds to the unfragmented forests of the Charlotte C. Browne Woods and Brown Lot, providing potential wildlife corridors from the lake to the upper Chocorua River wetlands and along Washington Hill.
Please be sure to wear sturdy comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for a meandering walk off trail. Remember water, and a snack if needed. And of course your curiosity and observation skills to share! We promise not to get you lost!
We’ll meet and park at the Charlotte C. Browne Woods field on Washington Hill Rd. and walk across the road to the Browne Memorial Forest.
If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are less than two weeks from your last shot, please bring a mask for moments when social distancing is not possible. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your name and phone number to tell us you will be coming so that we can let you know of any changes to the schedule.
Naturalist and CLC Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus has 30+ years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.
Banner image: Theodore & Alice Browne Memorial Forest. Photo: Lynne Flaccus