Lands

The Mink Brook Nature Preserve has been established on a 113 acre site located on both sides of Mink Brook, about one half mile south of downtown Hanover. The bulk of the property extends from the southern bank of the Brook to the Lebanon boarder, and is generally an upland forest composed of white pine and hemlock, with patches of hardwoods especially on the midlevel northwest facing slopes. The smaller portion of the property along the north bank of the Brook contains a well used path along a sewer line easement of the Town of Hanover connecting to the Tanzi Nature Preserve. Parking is available along Brook Road.

The Mink Brook Nature Preserve Management Plan
The Management Plan helps to guide the Council in the management of the land. The overall management goals for the MBNP are to protect the natural features and functions of the Preserve and to grant public access which is consistent with protecting the Preserve’s natural features and functions. The Management Plan has information on public access, parking, trails, recreation, water quality protection, protection of plant and animal diversity, invasive species, cultural and historical resources and stewardship. A copy of the Management Plan is available at Council office, Upper Valley Land Trust, Town of Hanover and the Howe Library.

The Mink Brook Nature Preserve Inventory is a comprehensive list of the natural inventory at Mink Brook. The inventory includes information on soils, mammals, tree, shrub and herbaceous species. A copy is available in the Council office.

The Balch Hill Natural Area has varied types of vegetation including open grass, shrub edge, apple trees, pines, hardwoods and hemlocks. The summit has views of Moose Mountain, Mount Ascutney and Gile Mountain. It is an excellent spot for bird watching. Six different trails will take you to the summit. Parking is available at the corner of Grasse Rd. and Trescott Road.

The primary purpose of the Balch Hill Management Plan is to provide guidance for stewardship of the Balch Hill Natural Area. Central to this goal are: the preservation of the pasture and vistas at the top of Balch Hill; the provision and maintenance of foot trails; the conservation of native plants and animal diversity and the protection of wildlife habitat.

The Management Plan has information on geology, soils, vegetation, wildlife. Management policies regarding viewshed, vegetation, wildlife, trail construction and education are included. A copy of the Management Plan in available at the Council office, Town of Hanover, Dartmouth College Real Estate office, Howe Library and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Lower Slade Brook Natural Area

Slade Brook is a unique Hanover resource: from its source on Moose Mountain to its mouth at River Road on the Connecticut River, its banks are completely undeveloped and graced by convenient hiking trails through varied forestland

The Council has conserved 35 acres of the forestland including the brook as part of the new residential development at Purling Brook. We have completed an inventory which includes flora, fauna, birds and mammals. A management plan has been developed and is the guide to stewardship of this land.