8747-R2_ML&P_Hollis_2022-2023_AnnualReport_Web

Report of the Hollis Conservation Commission July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023

Current Members: Madison Moody, Chair; Catherine Hewitt, Vice-Chair; Lee Klarman, Joanne Toone, Doris Luther, John Mattor, Ruth Leavitt, Sarah Sorenson, Mary Hoffman, Select Board Liaison

Indian Cellar continues to see very high usage by those near and far, and our community was extremely helpful with maintaining the trails and keeping them clean. Many folks walk, walk their dogs, mountain bike, and swim along the river. With the purchase of the tea house property, our goal is to eventually remove the building and move the trailhead kiosk closer to the parking area. Googins Woods, the other beautiful preserve we have in town doesn’t see the traffic that Indian Cellar does, but those that did visit were just as considerate helping keep the trails clean! I encourage our community to visit and walk the many trails that take you through a piece of forest that had been greatly damaged during the fire of 1947, though difficult to imagine now. There are benches and a picnic table along the way. Our Commission’s future goals are to continue the maintenance and upkeep of our two beautiful preserves and to start the process of putting together an Open Space tool for the town to help with planning and foresight in future development and growth of the town. Another goal is to expand outreach and educational opportunities offered by the commission. With two of our members, Joanne Toone and Ruth Leavitt completing their Master Maine Naturalist certifications, we are going to be offering guided walks through the preserves to give community members insight into the flora and fauna, and ecological diversity along the trail systems. We also look forward to more engagement at Community Day and community activities for Earth Day.

Respectfully submitted,

Madison Moody, Hollis Conservation Commission Chair

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