Volunteers for the future of Buck’s Ledge are, back from left, Jane Chandler, Ed Rosenberg, and Vern Maxfield. Front, Emily Ecker, and Marcel Polak. Meira Bienstock

WOODSTOCK — On Wednesday, October 13, Woodstock Town Manager Vern Maxfield signed a sale agreement for the Town of Woodstock to purchase Buck’s Ledge property from Bayroot LLC for the creation of a Community Forest.

“The contract will allow us the time to raise the money now to purchase the property,” says Volunteer Marcel Polak. “The $84,000 from the developers of the Spruce Mountain Wind Project in Woodstock will be used for the project. We will also be applying for different grants, including the Land for Maine’s Future Program and we are going to kick off local fundraising this week.”

The Woodstock Conservation Commission, representing the Town of Woodstock, will team up with its partners Mahoosuc Land Trust, Northern Forest Center, and the Forest Society of Maine.

All of the following natural landmarks are within the property: ‘Buck’s Ledge,’ ‘Lapham Ledge,’ and ‘Moody Mountain.’ Buck’s Ledge is the iconic large mountain overlooking North Pond. When looking over Lapham Ledge, there’s a magnificent view of Lake Christopher, which is Bryant Pond.

Already existing is a network of six miles of public hiking trails, ranging from moderate to challenging in intensity, include a new trail from the Woodstock Elementary school which enables students to access the Community Forest for outdoor education.

“During the pandemic, people were looking for escapes and ways to get away,” says Volunteer Ed Rosenberg. “Especially in 2020, 2021, because people needed to get out and get away. And so it came along at just the right time since we were ready because of the foresight of building the trails, people did come, and that’s where the interest and support come from. Once they got up there and they could see what they could only see from the road before, the scene from the top really changed everything. People wanted to be a part of it.”

“This is the last place in Woodstock that we have a dark sky-rich line,” continues Rosenberg. “Where we can see the night sky without seeing lights … so this is the last one so it’s another reason to preserve it. And we think it’s another thing to celebrate in the future.”

A local planning committee is being organized to help manage the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27, at 5 p.m. at Woodstock Town Hall, and everyone is welcome.

Tax deductible donations for the purchase of the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest can be donated online – www.mahoosuc.org/bucks-ledge – or sent to Mahoosuc Land Trust, PO Box 981, Bethel, Maine 04217 or Town of Woodstock, PO Box 317, Bryant Pond, Maine 04219.

For additional information please contact Ed Rosenberg, 207-577-5226, Ed.rosenberg7@gmail.com.