Cillo Property

In 2007 Paul Cillo donated a conservation easement on 18 acres on Bridgman Hill and Renaud roads in Hardwick. It was the first easement established by the newly formed Northern Rivers Land Trust and conserved valuable agricultural acreage facing development. The land had been approved for a subdivision.

Paul’s desire to conserve the land had a far-reaching impact. He had first approached the Greensboro Land Trust to conserve his property. But given increasing interest by local landowners outside of Greensboro, the GLT had recommended that a new regional land trust be developed to assist them. Paul joined an effort already underway and became a founding board member of NRLT with its mission of working with landowners in the four-watershed  region.

The Cillo land is an open field, important agriculturally and as wildlife habitat with scenic views of Stannard Mountain. The land remains true to its original roots. It is currently grazed by a neighbor’s horses and beef cattle with hay production on the remainder of the parcel.

Paul purchased the 18 acres, contiguous to 40 acres he already owned, in 2006. These parcels had been part of a 100-acre dairy farm experiencing a late 20th century change in ownership and use. Robert Houriet, author of Getting Back Together, one of the first books on communes, purchased the farm in 1976 to create a commune in partnership with another owner and operate an organic vegetable farm. When the partnership failed and the owners needed to sell, Paul bought a portion of the property in 1982 and then the additional 18 acres in 2006 with conservation as a goal.