BOISVERT-NORMAND NATURE PRESERVE TRAIL WORK

The day was so much fun for everyone! We got out enjoying the camaraderie of shared work to help get our Nature Preserve opened! Jon Normand and Mike Boisvert own a 79-acre parcel of land along the Soucook River in Loudon, NH and we are developing outdoor recreation features and resources for the public to enjoy including trailhead parking lot, kiosk, trails network/map, signage, pollinator garden, sitting benches, picnic tables; possibly an outdoor pavilion for educational purposes and outdoor art sculptures!

Our group included members from Pemi Valley Hikers and GayOutdoors. We are fortunate to have these groups as partners, and our project fits in well with our philosophy of getting involved and giving back to the trails!

Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand, crew leaders, really made the day a fun and educational experience.  We started the day putting up our new “Certified Tree Farm sign. As new owners, we are working on having the preserve recertified as a Tree Farm!

We did all sorts of trail maintenance, from cutting brush around our future kiosk, raking/removing debris on the ground, extending the Soucook River Sanctuary trail further down the river and cleared the start of the Esker Ridge Trail. At lunch, we shared the history of how we purchased this property, how we have engaged the former owner to assist us with developing a trail network and discussed our future plans.

We had everyone give us feedback on the Esker Ridge Trail that would loop back along the Soucook River. Everyone felt that the section of trail looping back on the Soucook River should be labeled “Black Diamond”! Too funny!!! We are going to figure out another option to loop this trail back to parking lot.

As we look back on the day, it really hit home the importance of GayOutdoors. GO is a resource to perform trail maintenance projects and overall land conservation!  

It’s really rewarding to be able to look back and see the work we do together. We want to thank everyone who helped out. We cannot even begin to say how much fun we had working with you all. Thank you all so much, for everything. We hope to lead an official hike to the Nature Preserve soon!  

Mike and Jon

Jon Normand and Mike Boisvert own a 79-acre parcel of land along the Soucook River in Loudon, NH and we are developing outdoor recreation features and resources for the public to enjoy including trailhead parking lot, kiosk, trails network/map, signage, pollinator garden, sitting benches, picnic tables; and possibly an outdoor pavilion for educational purposes and outdoor art sculptures!

Volunteer for a half day of trail work from 10:00am to 2:00pm! We need members to do all sorts of trail maintenance, from cutting brush around the gate and kiosk, blazing, clearing branches that encroach within the trail corridor, removing debris on the ground, and more.  

You don't have to be an expert to help and we can easily train you. We’ll have saws and loppers for everyone.  Members from another group, Pemi Valley Hikers, will be helping us. Meet us at the trailhead at 10:00AM and bring snacks, lunch, water and what you normally would carry for an easy hike but be sure to bring work gloves. Our blue Toyota Tacoma truck will be at the trailhead.  

If there is interest, afterwards we can give you a tour of the rest of the nature preserve and share with you our plans for the future! As part of our philosophy, we believe in doing our part to give back to the hiking community!