A Growing Partnership

This summer the Conservation Land Stewardship Program (CLS) added 34 conservation easements to the list of properties it now monitors. The Fish and Game easements are dispersed throughout the state, range widely in size, and total almost 3,000 acres. Most of the properties were protected for their wildlife habitat value. Many of these lands are located close, or adjacent, to other Fish and Game conservation lands, which further enhances their importance.

The CLS continues to gain new easement monitoring responsibilities as other State agencies continue to protect important habitat, wildlife, agriculture, and working forest assets. As the main conservation easement monitoring program for the State, the CLS program is able to maximize its efficiency and effectiveness through its very focused approach to monitoring tasks.

This growing base of protected lands will serve the State of New Hampshire well as a balance to the increasing pressures from growth. A healthy environment attracts and helps maintain a healthy economy. The CLS program works closely with individual landowners and municipalities who actively participate in the conservation effort. It is a testament to the hard work and traditional New Hampshire values of its citizens that these lands are protected.

PHOTOS:

Dillon Easement - Powdermill Pond Wildlife Management Area, Contoocook River

Shatney Easement - Clarksville Pond Boat Access

Goodwin and Eastman Easements - Enfield Wildlife Management Area - GRANIT map