Rexford Conservation Area

ACT is honored to have been chosen by Butch and Marion Rexford to conserve their family farm and surrounding woods from development through an easement donation.

The Rexford Conservation Area preserves the farm fields and adjoining woods enjoyed for nearly a century by the Rexfords, as well as the wildlife that calls it home. The conservation of the property protects agriculture and forestry uses as well as vital bird habitat and the drinking water supply in Whitefield.

The Rexford family farm was bought by Butch’s grandfather Carl, in the early 1900s. Butch and his brother grew up farming the land—raising cattle and hay, mostly—with their dad and extended family, before eventually farming the land themselves. While the farm and herd are now much smaller, Butch, Marion, and much of the extended family still live there.

The fields and surrounding forests have supported more than just people - generations of declining and priority bird species have depended on this land too. The Pondicherry Basin, a globally recognized lowland area for birds and overall prime bird habitat is in close proximity. Its open fields are home to ground-nesting grassland birds like bobolink and savannah sparrow. In the spring and summer, the forested area hosts tremendous breeding bird diversity.  The Basin is on the southern edge of many more northerly species. Species more typical of the boreal forest, like the black-backed woodpecker, are rare in New Hampshire but frequent and breed in the Pondicherry Basin.

The Rexford Conservation Area’s forests include a mix of northern hardwood forest, white pine forest, and more northerly spruce-fir forest important for both birds and timber. The Rexfords have been active stewards of the forest for as long as they’ve worked the land. The forests they maintain have some of the most productive forestry soils in the state. This conservation project ensures these soils and forests remain available for wildlife and forestry for generations to come.

The project could not have been completed without the patience and perseverance of the Rexfords and their family, ACT's members and supporters, and our funders. This project was supported by NH State Conservation Committee Conservation Grant Program, with funds made possible by the sale of NH Conservation and Heritage License “Moose” Plates. The project was also supported by the Randolph Area Conservation Opportunity Fund.