KINGSTON NH- The Yankee Clipper Council Executive Board and Council Officers have agreed to enter into a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Services (NCRS) to obtain a Wetlands Restoration Plan (WRP) conservation easement at Lone Tree Scout Reservation in Kingston, New Hampshire. The conservation easement will encompass approximately 78 acres of the 124 acre reservation. Most of the 78 acre easement will cover the rare Atlantic White Cedar Swamps at the reservation and the surrounding wetlands.

Atlantic White Cedar Swamps are uncommon. There are only about 30 Atlantic White Cedar Swamps currently existing in NH, and they are distributed over 20 towns. The distribution is primarily concentrated in three major areas: the Rye-Portsmouth area; the Newton-Kingston area; and in several inland areas running from Sutton to Antrim. The wetland area at Lone Tree is also home to another uncommon species, the Black Gum Tree, one of the longest living trees in the New England area.

This is a conservation easement in perpetuity. In addition to paying $356,000 for the easement, the NCRS will pay 100 percent of the costs of restoring the wetland to its natural state.

The easement area will still be available for the Boy Scouts to utilize for recreational purposes, including leave no trace camping and trails to teach nature and conservation.   No permanent structures can be built within easement boundaries.

The Yankee Clipper Council has another conservation easement with the NCRS at Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation in Northwood, New Hampshire.   The Wah-Tut-Ca easement covers 180 acres of wetlands and forest including one of the state's best vernal pools.

The proceeds from the easement will be held until a special committee is appointed by the Council President to review long term plans from the appropriate council committees.