Celebrate Your Community Forest: ACT’s 6^th Annual Hike & Potluck

EASTON – Everyone is invited to celebrate autumn together for the 6th annual hike (10 a.m.) and potluck (5:30 p.m.) on Sunday, October 7^th, hosted by the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT).

Enjoy the trees in the throws of autumn with your friends and neighbors hiking through the your community forest. The Cooley-Jericho Community Forest (CJCF) created in 2012 was the first of its kind in the nation. It encompasses 840 acres of forestland making it one of the largest unfragmented forests in the region outside of White Mountain National Forest.

The forest is in Easton and shares boundaries with Sugar Hill, Franconia, and Landaff. Thanks to the willingness of these four towns to work together, and with ACT, the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest is now protected as a shared community resource.

To celebrate 6 years since the creation of the CJCF, ACT is offering two group hikes so that people of all ages and abilities can explore the Cooley-Jericho. Both hikes begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be somewhat challenging. Some trails contain steeper sections and moderate elevation gain, hikers should be prepared for the terrain. The group will move at an easy pace with many stops to observe and enjoy nature. Kids are encouraged to come along and dogs are always welcome!

Participants will get to see beautiful vistas from a few outlooks on trail. This property is also an excellent place to observe forestry practices and the process of ecological succession. We may even find evidence and talk a bit about the wildlife in the forest such as moose, bear, and coyote.

Following the hikes, everyone is invited to the ACT Community Potluck the evening of Sunday, October 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Easton Town Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share and come socialize, catch up and learn about the latest happenings at ACT and the CJCF.  Along with a dish to share, please bring with a serving utensil and an ingredient list. Please also bring your own beverage; coffee and tea will be provided.

Both the hikes and the potluck are free and open to the public, and participants are welcome to attend either event if they cannot make it to both.

Advanced registration is required. Once registered, you will receive an e-mail with details of the meeting location. Register online via the ACT website’s events page at act-nh.org/education-events, by emailing Gal at outreach@act-nh.org, or calling the office (603) 823-7777 to reserve  your spot.

The Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust is the North Country’s regional lands conservancy, protecting land for the vitality and well-being of our region.  Learn more and become a member at www.aconservationtrust.org or call (603) 823-7777. For news and upcoming events, follow ACT on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aconservationtrust.

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CALENDAR:

Hike at Cooley-Jericho Community Forest”, Sunday, October 7, 10:00 a.m.; Get registration info and directions at act-nh.org/education-events or call (603) 823-7777. Free and open to the public all ages welcome. Suggested $5 donation to support conservation. Hosted by ACT. Registration for the hike is required and capped at 20, registration for the potluck is appreciated for planning but not required.

“Community Forest Potluck”, Sunday, October 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Easton Town Hall; Bring a friend and a dish to share, a serving utensil, and an ingredient list. Free and open to the public all ages welcome. More information at act-nh.org/education-events or call (603) 823-7777. Hosted by ACT. Registration for the potluck is appreciated for planning but not required.

“ACT’s Shoes & Brews in Bethlehem” Saturday, October 27, 2 – 5:30 p.m. Information and registration at act-nh.org/education-events or call (603) 823-7777. Free and open to the public all ages welcome. Suggested $5 donation to support conservation. Hosted by ACT. Registration for the Shoes is required and capped at 15, registration for the Brews is appreciated for planning but not required.