posted on: 6/22/2020
For the past 20 years the Dover Open Lands Committee (OLC) volunteers and city staff have been working with willing landowners to conserve Dover’s most important natural and cultural resources. These resources protect our drinking water supplies, preserve our farm and forest lands, provide flood mitigation in extreme weather events, maintain critical fish and wildlife habitat, and preserve of our community's character for current and future generations to enjoy. Over the past 20 years many dedicated residents have served on the OLC, but two devoted volunteers, Anna Boudreau and Ann Reid, have been on the committee since it was formed in 2000. Steve Bird, City Planner, has been the staff liaison since the first meeting.
This year, to commemorate their 20th anniversary, a “Pollinator Week” logo was designed by Viera Boudreau, an artist from Dover, to be unveiled at the OLC’s first annual Pollinator Week event, which was planned to coincide with the global Pollinator Partnership’s 20th anniversary as well. Pollinator week runs from June 22-28, 2020, but due to social distancing concerns the event will not be held this year; however, you are encouraged to check the OLC Facebook page daily during Pollinator Week to learn about things you can do to support pollinators.
Anna Boudreau, the current Chair of the OLC, reflected on the accomplishments of the last 20 years by stating, “Often partnering with other organizations like the Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) and The Nature Conservancy, we have managed to complete 20 separate land protection projects that has resulted in the permanent conservation of over 850 acres in Dover. The benefits from this success includes the conservation of wildlife habitat, the protection of land for drinking water wells, the preservation of farmland to promote local foods, the safeguarding of scenic vistas, and maintaining undeveloped areas that allow us to experience the serenity and renewal provided by nature.”
