Gifts of the Land

“This is a different kind of benefit auction” said the Upper Valley Land Trust’s President Jeanie McIntyre, “Just like land conservation and stewardship strengthens community, we hope our auction will bring people together in appreciation of each other and their love of the land – it’s an auction with that kind of benefit.” McIntyre points out that the conservation work of the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) is an expression of the aspirations, generosity and creativity of many people, each sharing unique experiences, perspectives and talents. “Though these times require us to physically distance from friends and neighbors, our auction is a way to see, hear and support one another,” she says.

The auction was inspired by Rhys Rountree’s gift of five paintings. Rountree, 14 of Lyme, offered to paint some of UVLT’s conserved lands last summer. Her work appeared in UVLT’s Annual Report and McIntyre subsequently received inquiries as to whether the paintings could be purchased. “Her work is truly stunning. Rhys’ generosity got us thinking about how different people see and experience the land and what they love about living here. We really wanted to showcase some of the human stories behind UVLT, and do that through a variety of means,” said McIntyre. The auction features 20 items including wooden bowls, ceramics, textiles, food baskets, outdoor experiences, and, of course, art.

Peter Spiegel, a retired radiologist and fine woodworker, donated a walnut free-edge bandsaw bowl. He told UVLT, “It’s out of a piece of log grown on my land in Hanover Center. During the period when we first moved here, we transplanted several walnuts that were very tiny when we started them. I ended up with a fair number of pieces of wood and I made various bowls. We walk the trails in East Hanover almost daily. I’ve come to appreciate the conserved lands locally. You have done so much for the Upper Valley that really impacts my life in a meaningful way.”

Ceramicist John Quimby, who conserved 112 acres in the Middlebrook Valley of West Fairlee and currently lives on a conserved property in Lyme, wrote “The auction is a wonderful idea, and I am pleased to contribute a piece of my work. I can't say that much of it is directly inspired by landscapes or woods or fields, but the natural world and its patterns and magnificent messy interplay of form certainly does inform my aesthetic. UVLT is so critical and effective, and its goals mirror ours, so we are happy to give what we can.”

The auction includes a unique gift basket from Brownsville Butcher and Pantry which has played an important role in West Windsor’s conservation and community development resilience. Farmer, journalist and retired NH Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Taylor, of Meriden, contributed a basket filled with products from his family’s conserved lands and local small businesses. He said, “Liz and Bill Taylor operate Garfield's Smokehouse in Meriden, processors of hams, bacon, cheeses and other high-end smoked products. Bill and his brothers Jim and Rob, operate Taylor Brothers Sugarhouse and Creamery, also in Meriden, producing syrup and artisan cheeses. The Taylors own and farm on several parcels of farmland permanently protected by Upper Valley Land Trust easements, which they regard as vitally important to the strength and sustainability of their enterprises and of other farms in northern Sullivan County.”

Reflecting on the auction theme, McIntyre referred to a water color painting by Kathy Swift: “Although the work is not representational of nature, it is an expression of joy, of freedom, a kind of reverence and grace. I think all of us have been finding sustenance in the landscape around us, whether food for the body or the soul.” To that end, UVLT’s auction offers two special experiences not to be had anywhere else. Bidders may win an overnight camping stay at UVLT’s beautiful and remote Mountain View Farm (header image shows the Mountain View Cabin). The off-grid cabin has gorgeous mountain views in the day time and the biggest sky you’ll find in the Upper Valley at night. Or auction-goers may choose an excursion for two on the Connecticut River in the Steward ship, UVLT's small pontoon boat. Stewardship Director Jason Berard, who is a great story teller of local history and natural knowledge, will be the skipper and guide for the 4-6 hour boat ride.

Doors open for the auction at 6pm Wednesday November 18^th and will remain open for bidding until December 11^th. All proceeds will go to supporting land conservation in the Upper Valley. You can visit the auction here: https://www.32auctions.com/UVLT