Scout preserve taps wellspring of support
Ranger Adam Miller often talks to visitors who hike the trails on the Nobscot Scout Reservation, a huge, unspoiled woodland that spills into both Sudbury and Framingham. But the older man who knocked on Miller's cabin door one afternoon last October left a lasting impression.
The visitor, a doctor in the Framingham area, was once a Boy Scout from Newton. Like many, he had fond memories of staying in the cabins at Nobscot, and had been reminiscing with a friend during a hike through the reservation when he stopped to talk with Miller. It was a conversation that would lead to a remarkable gift.
At 26, Miller looks every bit the park ranger, with a rugged, Grizzly Adams-like beard. He also serves as director of the Nobscot facility, and lives on the grounds with his fiancée. He takes painstaking care of the property, and each spring hikes Nobscot's 5 1/2-mile border like a mayor walking his city limits. Miller's work can be seen in the remarkable condition of the reservation's 15 miles of winding trails and its 452 acres of pristine woodlands. The property is owned by the Framingham-based Knox Trail Council, which oversees Boy Scouts of America troops in nearly two dozen communities across the region. The council has made a number of restorations and upgrades to keep Nobscot in top shape, and the camp will celebrate its 80th anniversary in the fall.
The desire to preserve Nobscot for future generations led Sudbury residents this month to approve spending $7.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds to help purchase a conservation restriction from the Boy Scout council on the town's 303-acre portion of the reservation.
Along with the Sudbury Valley Trustees, a regional watershed-protection group that serves 36 area communities, the town will hold the land's development rights, while the Knox Trail Council will maintain the property and retain the right to use it for its activities.
The council will receive $8.75 million for accepting the restrictions. The remaining $1.25 million will be made up through private fund-raising, said Rachel Sagan of the Sudbury Valley Trustees. The effort has already received $800,000 from the Sudbury Foundation and $305,000 through private donations.
There is also a move to seek funds for a conservation restriction on the 149 acres of the reservation in Framingham, where Town Manager Julian Suso said the effort could face some difficulty. The town has not approved the Community Preservation Act program, which uses a property-tax surcharge to raise money for local projects, and so does not have funds set aside for a conservation easement.
"Not having funds ready for that purpose is difficult," said Suso. "I anticipate there will be discussions forthcoming, but we have not had them to date."
Dennis Prefontaine, the Knox Trail Council's Scout executive, said the money from Sudbury will go toward improving its programs, including enlisting new Scouts, increasing staff and maintaining facilities.
As caretaker for the reservation, Ranger Miller has long experienced the generosity of those with the desire to see the Boy Scouts - and Nobscot - flourish. Take, for example, that doctor.
"He was excited with the condition of the grounds, and asked me if we needed anything," Miller recalled of their conversation last fall. "I always say we're doing very well even with limited resources. That's the way it is with all nonprofits. But apparently I mentioned this old truck that I'm always doing work on."
The 1988 GMC dump truck was built for heavy-duty work, but had taken much abuse over the years and was on its last legs, he said.
Not long after his chat with Miller, the doctor visited Prefontaine and talked about how impressed he was with the reservation. He then offered $20,000 toward a truck to replace the 20-year-old GMC.
"I grew up in Newton, and the Boy Scouts were my life, particularly Nobscot," the doctor told the Globe, while requesting anonymity. "The Scouts have been wonderful stewards of the land there. My wife and I have been very lucky, and this is a time to return favors, and to remember where you came from. I just hope other kids get a chance to experience it."
"We have people who make donations from time to time, but nothing of that magnitude," said Prefontaine.
"It was great; we've been angling for a new truck for a while, but we couldn't get one with all of our other needs," said Miller. They began the search for a used vehicle, but found it difficult to find something both affordable and reliable, as well as capable of handling the reservation's workload.
Luckily, another former Boy Scout stepped forward, a native of Wellesley. After Miller told him about his stalled search, the second benefactor offered $15,000 on the spot.
"Between these two great gifts, I was able to go to the dealership and pick out just the truck I wanted. It's a very nice way to start our 80th year," said Miller.
Through the council's relationship with Adesa Boston, a car auction house in Framingham, they were able to get a new truck at a discount from a dealership in Stoneham. Miller chose a sturdy, 2008
"For somebody to come back after 50 years and see how Nobscot still looks great and how it gives them nostalgic memories, that meant a lot to me and to everyone who has worked hard to make it the way it is," said Miller.
"The scouting experience people have sticks with them," said Prefontaine. "So when somebody comes along and sees the restorations here, they're inspired and they want to invest in it, and make sure it's in good shape for future generations."
Manny Veiga can be contacted at mveiga@globe.com.
