GRANTHAM — The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust has purchased the 151-acre Byron Barton Woods in Grantham.

The newly conserved property is protected from future development and is now open to the public. Trails may be built and connected to the neighboring Reney Memorial Forest, according to an August news release. The New London-based nonprofit announced the purchase Aug. 29.

Ausbon Sargent purchased the property for $300,000 from Anita MacDonald, who with her family spent many years hiking and exploring the property.

Ausbon Sargent raised the funds to purchase the property over the course of a year. The organization received funding from the Town of Grantham, multiple nonprofits and businesses, and the New Hampshire moose plate grant program. 

Andy Deegan, Ausbon Sargent’s interim executive director, said in an interview he was excited to close on the property because it can be seen from Interstate 89 and abuts the 413-acre Reney National Forest which means the preservation has a greater impact on wildlife.

The property includes rare cliff and talus slope habitats, which are important for species such as the endangered timber rattlesnake and state threatened peregrine falcon, according to the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game.

The property is currently open for low-impact recreation, which Deegan said is any activity that does not include wheeled or motorized vehicles. The exception to this rule is one existing trail for snowmobiles which will remain open, he said.

“If you go out there you're going to be bushwhacking,” Deegan said. He added that there will “most likely” be trails on the property eventually, but Ausbon Sargent is currently evaluating the site to find the best locations for trails and ensure that there will be low environmental impact. 

Clare Shanahan can be reached at cshanahan@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.