Island Pond, Norton, Wallace Pond, Canaan, Lemington, Bloomfield, Maidstone, Guildhall, & East Brighton
Our Community
Essex County is a frontier – forest and wildlife share the domain with people on equal footing. It is not uncommon to see moose wandering alongside the road, unfazed by an approaching car, or to hear loons calling each other, unfettered and at home. Lush woodlands of fir, spruce, and mixed hardwoods, known as Temperate Boreal Forest, give this most remote part of the Kingdom its color and character.
Essex County has seen boom and bust over the past century, as the timber industry that sustained mill towns moved away from the Northeast. The Connecticut River, once choked with logs, now invites your imagination to drift along its banks, past Dairies of Distinction, covered bridges, and steepled churches. There are mountains to climb, glacial lakes to dip into, rivers and streams to navigate by canoe or kayak and miles of snowmobile trails to explore. This landscape offers richness for the imagination and soul, not to mention charming country villages alive with local happenings.
Take Time To Explore
When you visit The Forest Frontier we suggest you explore the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge: Nulhegan Basin Division. This wildlife refuge is part of the 7.2 million acre Connecticut River watershed, stretching from the northern tip of New Hampshire to the Connecticut coast. The Refuge is a catalyst to help citizens conserve and protect the variety and abundance of native plants and animals and their habitats throughout the region. It offers high-quality hunting, fishing, trapping, bird watching and hiking. For an introduction to the ecosystem, the Mollie Beattie Bog interpretive boardwalk gives information on the fascinating habitat and wildlife.
Community Resources
Island Pond Chamber of Commerce
www.IslandPondChamber.org
Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce
www.NEKChamber.com
