Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic Region: New Hampshire
Project Summary: In northern New Hampshire 171,000 acres of forestland were purchased to enhance recreational opportunities and benefit the local economy through sustainable forestry.
Resource Challenge
Preserving the Connecticut Lakes was a once in a generation opportunity to conserve forestland to make the large tract an economic asset for the people of New Hampshire. TPL and its partners worked to determine a proper land ownership structure to serve the multitude of human and natural resources of the Connecticut Lakes. This process involved meeting the need to enhance public recreation, improve wildlife management, and continue sustainable forestry.
Examples of Key Partners
Trust for Public Land
State of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Partnership Task Force
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Natural Heritage Program
Appalachian Mountain Club
Lyme Timber Company
other partners
Results and Accomplishments
TPL purchased the 171,000-acre property in 2001. 143,000 acres were sold to the Lyme Timber Company subject to the conservation easement held by the State of New Hampshire. 25,000 acres were sold to the state for management as natural areas.
The State manages the conservation easements purchased in the transaction. The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire and the New hampshire Natural Heritage Program performed extensive biological resources inventories on the property, and the Appalachian Mountain Club provided GIS mapping information and support.
Innovation/Highlight
Project Contact
Tom Sadler Director of Program Development Trust for Public Land 660 Pensylvania Avenue, SE
Suite 401 Washington, DC 20003 202-543-7552 tom.sadler@tpl.org
Private Landowner Network
Maine Conservation Center
Houston Intra-Met
California Conservation Center
Mississippi Conservation Center
Arkansas Conservation Center
Resources First Foundation