News
Introduction:
Hammond Hill State Forest is my home. I have lived 36 years of my life surrounded by her peace and beauty, learning from her, nurtured by her generous spirit. I have raised a family here: three sons who have each in turn left, only to return to live near her. There is an incredible loving energy here that draws you in, soothes your soul and replenishes your spirit. I have read of areas that supposedly possess energy vortices: spiritual places where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, meditation and healing. I am convinced that Hammond Hill is such a place, but you don't have to take my word for it. Come yourself and walk her paths, discover for yourself if you can feel what I feel. Over the course of time, I will share her stories with you; perhaps through those you can catch a glimpse of her own special magic.
News:
We are fortunate to have an organization in Ithaca that is doing a terrific job with environmental conservation easements: The Finger Lakes Land Trust. They recently acquired a property that spans the space between Hammond Hill and Yellow Barn State Forests and have plans to link the two with a multi use trail. Activities are underway to raise funds for just such a project, and the Land Trust is working with the DEC Region 7 to make this very exciting trail come to reality. The following is some information on the new acquisition:
.The Berntsson/Millier Tract … the first link in the Emerald Necklace
Located just east of Ithaca in the Town of Dryden, the Berntsson/Millier tract has long been recognized as a priority for conservation. The 169-acre property features a diversity of habitats including meadows, mature forests, twenty acres of wetlands, and more than 6,000 feet of frontage on Six-Mile Creek – the source of Ithaca’s drinking water supply.
The property is rich in wildlife, from native brook trout that inhabit Six Mile Creek to Wood Ducks and Virginia Rails that are found in the site’s wetlands. A Great Blue Heron Rookery is located immediately adjacent to the tract, located on land already owned by the Land Trust. Given its location within an extensive forested landscape, the site is also frequented by increasing numbers of Black Bear and Fisher.
Most importantly, this property has been recognized as the “hole in the conservation donut." Though bisected by Irish Settlement Road, the tract is surrounded by dedicated open spaces lands including two state forests, a Land Trust nature preserve, and a Cornell University natural area. The property links eight thousand acres of protected open space and protects 6,000 feet of frontage on Six Mile Creek.
The coordination of the site improvements and stewardship will be managed by our Director of Stewardship with the expert advice of the Land Trust’s Preserve Management Committee. We anticipate that the management plan will be completed this summer. If we secure the necessary permits before next winter, construction of a boardwalk and bridge over Six Mile Creek will begin in the spring of 2012. We plan a public dedication in the fall of 2012.
The protection of the Berntsson/Millier property offers many benefits to the community: additional protection of the drinking water supply from Six Mile Creek, multiple recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and excellent wildlife viewing.
This is a link to a fun video done by friends of mine, all filmed on Hammond Hill. It's a spoof on the Banff film Alone Across Australia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzsuaf1DzJs
Hammond Hill State Forest is currently up for a Unit Management Plan Review, together with her sister forest Yellow Barn State Forest. The two make up the section know as Twin Sheds, due to their straddling two water drainages. Further information can be accessed via the NYS DEC website. As of June 8, 2011, the plan is not yet complete nor posted online.
NYS DEC has finally released the statewide recreational plan for NYS forests: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/68400.html Recreational user groups should examine the plan for language that affects their uses of state forests and send feedback to NYSDEC.
Adopt A Natural Resource:
The Friends Of Hammond Hill is an AANR partner with the NYS DEC, working closely with the DEC to care for the forest, primarily through trail maintenance and light upkeep. We are a very informal conglomeration of hikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers, mountain bikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, dog walkers, orienteers, birders, geocachers, ... you name it, we have at least one enthusiast in the bunch. We gather once or twice a year, sometimes more often depending on what nature threw our way by way of storm damage to trails. Mike Ludgate (of Ludgate Farms) runs a Bike-Ski list serve that will alert people to our activities, Also the various trail groups such as Cayuga Nordic Ski Club, Central New York Orienteers, The NYS Horse Council and others will alert their club members to trail activities. I tend to be the one who sets a schedule, and in the past have notified a small core group of folks who I know will get the word out. These folks then notify their club base of what is happening when. So far it's worked pretty well this way, but I will try to do better in future, as often I hear from people who want to help but aren't in any formal group and hence do not get a heads up. I will ATTEMPT to post here on my website (under News) things that are up and coming. I tend to get too busy and fall behind with my good intentions, however, so bear with me.
The incredible power of lightning
Below is a photo of a white pine hit by lightning a few years back. Nate Hunter happened along at the right moment to take this picture of the tree in full blaze:
What remains of the tree can still be seen right along the Yellow 6 trail, halfway up a steepish little hill
cheers! Ann