By: David Johnson, Southeast Land Trust (SELT)
On May 12, the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT) assisted in the conservation of a 177-acre property in Strafford, NH. SELT worked with the Blue Hills Foundation and Bear-Paw Regional Greenways to complete the project. Blue Hills Foundation will own the property and Bear-Paw will hold and steward the conservation easement.
This new addition to the Blue Hills Foundation lands abuts the 468-acre Evans Mountain Easement held by Bear-Paw (itself part of a block of approximately 7,600 acres of conservation and public lands), the 151-acre Colwell conservation easement held by Bear-Paw, and the 28-acre Elmcroft Easement held by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The entire property sits within a Department of Environmental Services (DES)–designated Outstanding Resource Watershed area, lying 1,200 feet north of Bow Lake. The wetland complex on this property acts as a means of water filtration and flood storage, greatly contributing to the water quality of Bow Lake. The wetland habitat mixed with steep and rocky terrain provides a home to several threatened and endangered species of birds and reptiles.
“This area of Strafford has long been recognized for its conservation value,” says Kaitlin Deyo, SELT’s Conservation Project Manager. “Assist projects help accelerate conservation in the region with our local partners to ensure a greater impact in a part of the state that faces intense development pressure.”
“This project shows what’s possible when conservation organizations work together for the good of the whole community,” said Krystal Balanoff, Executive Director of Bear-Paw Regional Greenways. “Conservation of this property means protecting land in a place that people already love and that wildlife deeply depends on. With nearly 7,600 acres of nearby conserved and public lands, including the Evans Mountain easement held by Bear-Paw, this effort strengthens important habitat areas in the region, while keeping trails, views, and traditions like hiking and blueberry picking part of everyday life in Strafford.”
About SELT
SELT is a nonprofit land trust with a mission to protect and sustain the significant lands in our communities for clean water, fresh food, outdoor recreation, healthy forests, and wildlife. Since 1980, the Southeast Land Trust has worked in 52 communities of southeastern New Hampshire to conserve nearly 30,000 acres of land through conservation agreements and ownerships. SELT is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, confirming its commitment to meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. For more information, visit seltnh.org.
Content provided by Southeast Land Trust (SELT)
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