Quick Thinking and An Eye to the Future Preserves Lebanon Property

L-R: Erling Heistad and Kim Rheinlander, Signal Hill trail stewards; Sarah Riley, chair, Lebanon Conservation Commission; Sally and Jerry Rutter; Dr. Ernest Oidtmann, Lebanon Conservation Commission and UVLT trustee; Craig Privett, UVLT Conservation Project Manager

A significant ecological area and watershed just a few miles from some of the Upper Valley’s most intensive development is now forever protected. This happy outcome might never have happened if not for timely action by Sally Rutter more than a quarter-century ago.

The property in northern Lebanon near the Hanover line had been part of a dairy farm for generations before Sally and Jerry Rutter purchased it in 1998. Sally was driving to work one day and noticed a “for sale by owner” sign. As a realtor she recognized its strong development potential, but rather than drawing up site plans the couple quickly decided to purchase and safeguard the land and its substantial natural assets.

“I freaked out a little bit because a big condo developer had been scouting around the area,” recalls Sally. “The property owners were skeptical about selling to me, a real estate agent, because they were afraid I would develop it. I convinced them that it was not our intention at all!”

The Rutters’ foresight has come to full fruition. The land is now publicly accessible and will be permanently protected by an Upper Valley Land Trust easement.

The nearly 23-acre property features more than 2,000 feet of frontage on Stevens Road, which is listed as “scenic” in the Lebanon Master Plan, and contributes to a 1,700-acre block of unfragmented land. Highlights include frontage along Blodgett Brook as well as an unnamed intermittent stream, and a major wildlife crossing is close by.

The property is adjacent to Signal Hill, a 220-acre Lebanon conservation property with 1.5 miles of trail. It is also protected by a UVLT easement.

“UVLT is incredibly grateful that the Rutter family generously made their gift in the interest of enhancing the city of Lebanon’s water quality and wildlife habitat while ensuring that a key piece of the scenic backdrop from Stevens Road will remain open,” says Conservation Project Manager Craig Privett. “The enthusiastic support of the conservation commission and city underscore the importance of the land and resources that have been protected through the Rutters’ donation.”

The process spanned several years and included a fee-interest gift to the land trust, which will transfer it to the city of Lebanon, subject to a protective conservation easement. The Lebanon Conservation Commission supported the project through a contribution from the Lebanon Open Space Trust (LOST) fund. The commission recommended in October 2025 that the city council accept the land gift, which the council did by unanimous vote in December.

Jerry’s years of service on the Lebanon Planning Board proved invaluable. “Being on that board educated me a lot about the city of Lebanon, public lands, and the importance of wildlife corridors,” says Jerry. “We had acquired the property to prevent development from happening there, so it seemed appropriate in many ways for it to become public.”

Dr. Ernst Oidtmann, a member of both the UVLT Board of Trustees and the Lebanon Conservation Commission, was involved throughout and played a key role early on. “He was familiar with the property and asked if we’d be willing to walk around it with the conservation commission and think about the possibility of donating it at some point,” says Jerry. “We were all very enthusiastic about the property becoming public.”

“The conservation of the Rutter land is significant for many reasons,” says Lebanon Conservation Commission Chair Sarah Riley. “The parcel adds to the wildlife connectivity in the area, as it lies across the road from a block of already conserved open space on Signal Hill. It protects a portion of Blodgett Brook, an important tributary of the Mascoma River upstream of Lebanon’s public drinking water source. The wetlands and riparian areas on properties like this provide flood protection services to the city.

“The Rutters have gifted local residents a beautiful spot to enjoy and explore year-round, whether by cross country skiing, snow shoeing, hunting, or playing in the brook’s cool clear waters. The conservation commission is grateful for their forethought and generosity and to UVLT for being such an effective partner in conservation and stewardship.”

Jerry Rutter is an emeritus professor of classics at Dartmouth with a specialty in Greek archaeology. He notes that the property’s 19th century barn ruins could be explored through field work.

The joy that Sally experienced driving to work every morning will now be shared with all for all time. “I just wanted it to be beautiful forever and for everybody driving by that meadow to have the same reaction,” she says. “It’s just spectacular.”