Buddies outdated and new, supporters, associates, and honored company collect at Hidden Valley Farm in Whitefield for the official presentation of the 2024 New England Leopold Conservation Award to David “Traci” Moskowitz and Bambi Jones on Saturday, Oct. 19. Jones, who’s kneeling within the middle of the group with Moskowitz, recommended a bunch image would higher have fun the award, underscoring the worth and energy of neighborhood. (Sherwood Olin photograph)
Surrounded by dozens of associates and conservation-minded confidantes, Bambi Jones and David “Tracy” Moskovitz, of Whitefield’s Hidden Valley Farm, have been awarded the New England Leopold Conservation Award on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Jones and Moskovitz are the primary Mainers to win the prize and are amongst over 200 farmers throughout the nation to obtain a Leopold Conservation Award since its institution in 2003.
The pair stated they have been grateful to be acknowledged for his or her work, however stunned to be taught they have been the primary from Maine to obtain the award.
“Maine has a lot of nice farmers and foresters and nice conservation folks,” stated Moskovitz. “We’re stunned however honored that now we have gained, and much more stunned and honored to be the primary in Maine, hopefully the primary of many.”
The couple obtained a prize of $10,000, which they stated they plan to donate to native land trusts and conservation organizations.
“They deserve it as a lot as we do, they usually in all probability want it greater than we do,” stated Moskovitz.
“It’ll return into the nice work,” Jones stated.
Jones and Moskovitz have devoted greater than 45 years of their lives to the conservation and preservation of Maine land.
They established Hidden Valley Farm in 1978, turning into well-known within the space for his or her natural greens and number of forest merchandise, similar to fireplace wooden and lumber for constructing tasks.
In 2007, the pair, together with 5 of their neighbors on Hollywood Boulevard, protected 1,000 acres of land in in the future with everlasting easements with Maine Farmland Belief, a company that Jones is a founding member of.
Their work additionally contains creating Hidden Valley Nature Middle in Jefferson, the couple’s “satisfaction and pleasure,” in accordance with Jones. Established in 2009 as a nonprofit instructional group, Hidden Valley Nature Middle has over 1,000 acres of protected land with campsites and miles of trails. Nature and forestry packages have been supplied to hundreds of individuals over the middle’s 15 years in operation.
“There’s some very good woods with good trails that give a lot of folks enjoyable, pleasure, and recreation, and we get a kick out of it. That’s virtually the reward itself … The large award is when associates, neighbors, and strangers thanks for what you’ve completed,” stated Moskovitz.
Midcoast Conservancy purchased the middle and land from the couple in 2016. Based on Midcoast Conservancy’s web site, the middle’s administration is designed to boost the worth of timber, wildlife habitat, water high quality, and recreation.
Sand County Basis’s Leopold Conservation Award acknowledges landowners for his or her conservation successes and management. The inspiration and the award take their identify from the influential author and environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The bodily award bears Leopold’s likeness and is crafted from etched glass and lights up in several colours. (Picture courtesy Bambi Jones)
Through the years, the couple acquired over 2,000 acres of land that spans throughout Alna, Jefferson, and Whitefield.
“We’ve at all times had an eye fixed towards growing the variety of those who get engaged with what we do,” stated Moskovitz. “We care deeply in regards to the planet, and we care deeply in regards to the neighborhood. You set your power and your sources to work on these issues that you’ve ardour about.”
The Sand County Basis, a nonprofit group that presents the award, introduced Hidden Valley Farm as certainly one of 4 finalists for the award in a press launch on Aug. 12. The opposite three finalists for have been Harrison’s Homegrown, of Vermont; Sweetland Farm, of Vermont; and The Corse Farm Dairy, of Vermont.
The Leopold Conservation Award program celebrates achievement in voluntary conservation by agricultural landowners, in accordance with the Sand County Basis’s web site. Named in honor of conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award acknowledges landowners who encourage others with their dedication to environmental enchancment.
The award is introduced by the Sand County Basis and the New England Forestry Basis and is sponsored by the American Farmland Belief.
For extra data, go to leopoldconservationaward.org.
