Additional Resources

Helpful links and documents for landowners and conservation commissions.

There are many Best Management Practices (BMPs) scattered throughout state agency and conservation organization websites. The resources listed on this page comprise a small selection of frequently-referenced websites and documents.

State and Federal Government Resources

NH Fish & Game

NHFG is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources. The Department works in partnership with the public to: conserve, manage and protect these resources and their habitats; inform and educate the public about these resources; and provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources.

NH Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

DNCR protects, promotes and manages a wide variety of the State’s natural, recreational and cultural resources.

NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food

DAMF supports and promotes agriculture and serves consumers and businesses for the benefit of public health, the environment and economy.

NH Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help agricultural producers and private forest landowners protect and enrich the natural resources on their land.

NH Department of Environmental Services

DES oversees the health of land, water and air across the State for the benefit of public health, the environment and economy. Their website hosts a broad variety of valuable resources for private landowners and municipalities.

Conservation Organizations

Land & Community Heritage Investment Program

LCHIP is an independent state authority that makes matching grants to NH communities and non-profits to conserve and preserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources.

Land Trusts in New Hampshire

Interested in conserving your land in perpetuity? Land trusts are organizations that can take legal ownership of- or Grantee interest in a property at the behest of the landowner. Use the link above to find your local land trust.

Municipal Resources

New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions

NHACC is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting conservation commissions through education, training, and resource-sharing. They are available to answer questions from best practices for trail building to providing examples of language for conservation easements.

New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions

NHARPC represents the nine regional planning commissions (RPCs) in the State of New Hampshire. RPCs support local municipalities in their planning and community development responsibilities, including helping communities prepare natural resource inventories and open space plans.

Legal Resources

Amending or Terminating Conservation Easements : Conforming to State Charitable Trust Requirements

The Charitable Trusts Unit at the Department of Justice oversees all charitable trusts. Every conservation easement is considered a charitable trust. Therefore, the Attorney General, and in some cases other state agencies, have an important role to play in situations where an amendment to – or termination of a conservation easement is considered.

GIS & Mapping Resources

NH GRANIT

GRANIT is New Hampshire’s statewide Geographic Information System (GIS) clearinghouse. GRANITView data layers can be used to enhance stewardship and management planning by allowing the user to visualize where natural and human-made resources intersect with targeted properties.

GAIA GPS Help Center

Gaia GPS is mapping and navigation software that is optimized for use with smartphones and other smart devices. The Help Center is a great place to learn how to get started and to find solutions to any technical difficulties you may have.