The Story of Grey Rocks, Part 1: From Concept to Reality
By Andrew Veilleux, Program Manager
NLRA’s Grey Rocks Conservation Area holds different meanings for different people. Most of us recall the Newfound Marina, the sole gas dock on the Lake until West Shore Marine opened in 2001. At its peak, the Newfound Marina operated 6 buildings and dozens of boat slips, with heavy use of roads, walkways, and the surrounding water. Before the property was donated to NLRA in late 2011, structures were demolished and most of the evidence of decades of commercial use was removed.
The NLRA is keenly aware of the many unique conservation values of Grey Rocks’ 30-acres, and the importance of any decisions made about its future restoration and use. This eNews is the first in a six-part series that will tell the story of how Grey Rocks has become an example of practical and sustainable land-use practices. Each email will highlight an aspect of Grey Rocks’ restoration, and introduce you to one of the native plants on the site.
From Concept to Reality
Grey Rocks’ future started with a concept plan designed by Resilience Planning & Design in 2016. The concept was informed by extensive community input, and incorporated approaches that foster healthy natural systems and minimize long-term maintenance, while building ecological diversity and resilience.
Concept plan implementation hit high gear in 2018. Trees were planted in June, including American Elms donated by Doug McLane. American Elms have been decimated by Dutch Elm Disease over the last century, but Grey Rocks provides their preferred habitat and we are hoping these local strains resist the disease.
Planting beds were built on top of existing grass areas using a paper weed barrier and layers of compost (sheet mulching) to build organic soil. Volunteers planted 17 trees, over 100 shrubs, and 500 wetlands “plugs”. Each plant was chosen for its multiple roles and regional pedigree. For many years to come, our volunteers’ efforts will be on display for all to enjoy and learn from.
Plant of the Month (Maple; Acer Rubrum)
Maples are an iconic part of New England’s landscape, giving us brilliant fall colors, sweet syrup and sugar, and beautiful hardwood lumber. Though red and silver maples have a similar taste to their syrup, they have shorter sugaring seasons and therefore aren’t used as often for syrup production.
At Grey Rocks we likely only have red and silver maples due to their tolerance of wet conditions. Silver maples are perhaps the most common floodplain tree species in New England, and are prevalent along most New Hampshire rivers and wetlands.
Thank You, Grey Rocks Volunteers!
Les Mills – We are lucky to have such a committed volunteer like Les Mills. There isn’t much at the Grey Rocks Conservation Area that he didn’t play some role in. Les put in countless hours, equal to thousands of dollars in saved labor costs, and has offered valuable expertise. He could be found most days of the summer on the site with his tractor and equipment. His work ethic was impressive, to say the least, and we are so grateful for his help in this project.
Other 2018 Volunteers and Staff:
Carmen Maura
Danny Tanner
Hunter Stickney
Mike Delmore
Jamie McMillan (McMillan Eco Design)
Lakes Region Conservation Corps- Lakes Region Conservation Trust
New Hampton School
Holderness School
NLRA Staff and Trustees
Emily and Craig Shealey
Misty Walsh
Brendan Malloy (Verde Lawns & Gardens)
Katie Kovacs
Camp Berea
Dawn and Isabella Marquis
Liz Kelley (Resilience Planning and Design)
Steve Whitman (Resilience Planning and Design)
And anyone else who visited the property!
