Key Stretch of Squamscott River Protected

Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership protects 89 acres

Stratham, N.H. — May 3, 2005 — A valuable habitat in Stratham that includes salt marsh, river frontage, open fields, wetlands and forests is now permanently protected in a deal just completed by the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership.

On behalf of the partnership, The Nature Conservancy this week purchased 89.3 acres between the Squamscott River and Route 108. The tract, which could have been developed, has more than 4,300 feet of frontage along the Squamscott River and contains excellent habitat for a variety of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife.

Because of its high potential for development, the tract was appraised at a fair market value of $4.4 million. The seller, Strathlorne LLC, agreed to sell the piece for $2.8 million. The difference of $1.6 million can be used to leverage additional dollars for future conservation projects of the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership.

“We’ve been here for 30 years and we understand the significance of Great Bay,” said Susan Conway, a Strathlorne partner. “In the long-term, selling this for conservation is the right thing to do.”

The Nature Conservancy will ultimately transfer the property to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

“This acquisition is another step in the partnership’s efforts to preserve the Squamscott River and its ecological resources,” said Mark Zankel, conservation programs director of The Nature Conservancy. “Protection of this property benefits water quality, anadromous fish habitat and the many people who enjoy natural resources.”

Funding for the purchase comes from a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership is a comprehensive approach to identify Great Bay’s most critical habitats and to protect them. With The Nature Conservancy as lead acquisition agent, the partners also include the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Ducks Unlimited, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Natural Resources Conservation Service, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Since 1994 the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership has protected nearly 4,000 acres of critical habitat around Great Bay. Local communities and other organizations have protected an additional 3,020 acres that the partnership has been able to use as match to leverage federal funding. The leading sources of funds include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North American Wetland Conservation Act and private donations. A key player in securing those funds is U.S. Senator Judd Gregg who knows the Great Bay area well.