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Two recent hires by The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire reflect the chapter’s increasing attention to public policy and marine conservation.

Recognizing the influence of public policy decisions on conservation, the Conservancy has decided to markedly increase its conservation efforts in the realm of public policy, and toward that end has hired its first director of government relations.

The Conservancy’s New Hampshire chapter has hired Joel M. Harrington of Concord as director of government relations, a new position that will allow the organization to more effectively participate in a myriad of public policy, finance, and legislative issues.

Read more about Joel Harrington and this new position.

On the marine front, the Conservancy has hired Ray Konisky, Ph.D., of Newfields, as marine conservation ecologist. Konisky brings an outstanding background and diverse skills to the Conservancy, according to Mark Zankel, deputy state director for the New Hampshire chapter. Those include solid marine ecology credentials, advanced Geographic Information Systems skills, a strong understanding of the issues facing Great Bay and the Gulf of Maine, and mature relationships with many important partners in the science and management communities.

Read more about Ray Konisky and TNC's marine ecology work.

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The Nature Conservancy is approaching an important phase in its race to protect the last habitat of its type in New Hampshire: the Ossipee Pine Barrens. Many generous supporters have made gifts and pledges, but the Conservancy still needs $540,000 in private funds by March for its goal of protecting 616 acres of globally rare pine barrens habitat in Madison, Tamworth and Ossipee. The Conservancy also hopes to raise an additional $2.3 million through public funding. A big chunk of that could come the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program; the Conservancy's application for conserving Ossipee Pine Barrens is currently the number one state-ranked project (along with a proposal to protect Crotched Mountain in Greenfield). Leading the private fundraising effort is the Conservancy's Ossipee Pine Barrens Task Force, a group of committed local organizers co-chaired by Andrew Lietz and Jack Middleton, both of Freedom.

Land protection efforts in the Ossipee Pine Barrens will help safeguard clean drinking water for families and businesses. Learn more about this urgent campaign.

“With the tremendous support we’ve seen from the local community, we’re getting closer to reaching important goals of conserving the Ossipee Pine Barrens,” Lietz said. “People understand that this is about a globally rare ecosystem. It’s about a place for recreation and solitude. And it’s about safeguarding our drinking water for now and for generations to come. There’s still quite a challenge ahead and we’d like to see the momentum continue for this remarkable project. But we have a narrow window of opportunity here. We only have until March to reach our goal."

Learn more about the Campaign to Protect the Ossipee Pine Barrens.

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Two New Studies:
Protecting Coastal New Hampshire;
Restoring Great Bay

Great Bay over Newmarket, where the Lamprey River enters the estuary. New studies examine conserving New Hampshire's coastal watersheds and restoring Great Bay. Eric Aldrich photo.

Two new studies by TNC and partners take a hard look at threats to ecological treasures of Great Bay and New Hampshire's coastal watersheds ... and offer hope for the future. One study looks to the marine environment of Great Bay. The other looks to the lands and waters that drain New Hampshire’s coastal watersheds, some 525,000 acres. These are two very different studies that are connected in many ways. Both examine the threats to some of New Hampshire’s most important and diverse ecosystems.

Both identify high priority places for land protection and restoration. Both describe effective conservation strategies. And both stimulate action by communities and stakeholders to conserve and restore critical habitats.

"These studies are really tools for action,” says Mark Zankel, TNC’s deputy state director who helped lead both projects. “They offer hope for the future in terms of action – reasonable, responsible steps that communities and organizations can take to make huge differences in safeguarding these ecosystems.”

Both projects bring the latest science together in one place for future research, according to Ted Diers, manager of the N.H. Department of Environmental Services’ Coastal Program. “This kind of science helps us by making sure that we spend time and money on the protection and restoration projects that matter most to our watershed,” Diers says. “I see this as protecting and restoring the ‘vital organs’ of the Great Bay region.”

Read the article in the latest newsletter from TNC's N.H. chapter

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For Nature ... and People:
Stretching those Conservation Dollars

These calculations represent only the New Hampshire Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Included in the calculation is the value of the chapter's land protection work during FY 2006.

If there's one big truth to conservation in New Hampshire and beyond, it's the fact that there are far too  few   dollars for far too many challenges.

Here at The Nature Conservancy, we strive to stretch every available dollar the furthest it will go  to protect ecosystems for people and nature.  Though our commitment to protecting the earth's ecosystems for the diversity of life they support, The Nature Conservancy contributes to the well-being of people everywhere. Our goal is fully functioning, healthy ecosystems -- a mosaic of private and public lands and waters in which people and nature live compatibly. That means making sure your generous donations are used wisely, to protect the places that our science has shown make a big impact on conserving biodiverisity.

Check out Charity Navigator's rating of The Nature Conservancy.

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Can't find that perfect gift? How about the conservation plate gift certificate? Great for the holidays or birthdays, conservation plate gift certificates are an easy way to let a friend or family member pick up the new plate when they register their car. You will receive a gift certificate in the name of the recipient you designate, as well as a beautiful accompanying gift envelope. To receive the conservation plate, turn in the gift certificate at the time of your vehicle's registration.

Gift certificates are available from all Division of Motor Vehicle offices and through online municipalities. In addition, you can download the moose plate gift certificate form now, fill it out, and send payment and the form into the Division of Motor Vehicles directly. The DMV office will send the gift certificate and envelope to the address you request.

For more information about New Hampshire's moose conservation plate, visit:
http://www.mooseplate.com/giftCerts.html.

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Meet TNC's Eric Aldrich and Deb Callahan and Harris Center volunteer Denny Wheeler at 9 a.m. at the preserve kiosk on Loverens Mill Road in Antrim, just off Route 9. We'll hike and explore until around 1 p.m. Snowshoes are available through the Harris Center.

For more information, contact Eric Aldrich at 603-224-5853, ext. 26.

Friday, February 2
Owl Prowl at Sheldrick Forest Preserve in Wilton

Join TNC's State Director Daryl Burtnett and Deb Callahan for a night-time hike in this old forest to listen for owls. 7-8:30 p.m.

To sign up, please contact Megan Lepage: 603-224-5853, ext. 23.

Saturday, February 3
Cross-Country Skiing/Snowshoeing at Great Ba

Join TNC's Duane Hyde and Tiffany McKenna for a wintry glide into Lubberland Creek Preserve. 9-11 a.m.

With your support ...