Grateful for partnership.

In "A Race to Reclaim Forests" (Autumn 05), Lyme Timber's role in the Errol community forest project was inaccurately described. While Lyme Timber is a TIMO, they have a long and distinguished record of partnering with land trusts and conservation organizations and that is, in fact, the role they played in Errol, NH.

Lyme Timber acquired the 13 Mile Woods property in 2000 with the intention of working with The Trust for Public Land (TPL) to assist in the long-term protection of the property. In March 2002, Lyme entered into an agreement with TPL that gave TPL two years to purchase the property. TPL's involvement included working with the local community to design a permanent conservation solution for this important forestland resource.

Over the past three years TPL and the citizens of Errol implemented a multi-part conservation strategy, which culminated in permanent protection of the property through local community ownership. Lyme Timber agreed to allow TPL to extend its agreement when it became necessary to complete this complex transaction. We are grateful to Lyme Timber for working with TPL to protect an important community forest in northern New Hampshire. Without Lyme's commitment to "hold" the property, this important conservation transaction may never have been realized.

The Errol project is the fourth community forest project completed by TPL in New Hampshire, including Randolph, Dunbarton, and Freedom. TPL continues to work closely with local communities throughout northern New England, and with both nonprofit and TIMO partners (such as Lyme) to accomplish these important conservation projects.

Dennis Shaffer

Northern New England Field Office

Director, The Trust for Public Land

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