The Monadnock Conservancy

Guest Writer Carolyn Wilson tells us about the Monadnock Conservancy and the vital work they due in protecting the worlds second most climbed mountain.
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Monadnock Conservancy
By: Carolyn Wilson

Home to approximately 649,393 acres of land, the Monadnock region is gradually (and voluntarily) becoming protected by the Monadnock Conservancy. This Conservancy is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of 15 members, and its headquarters are located in Keene, New Hampshire. The Monadnock Conservancy helps the people of the 35 towns of the Monadnock region to protect hundreds of acres of forests and wildlife habitat annually. Its mission is “to identify, promote, and actively seek protection of significant natural, aesthetic, and historic resources in the Monadnock Region; and to monitor and enforce the protection of lands in the trust.” Additionally, the Conservancy educates landowners on land protection options, trains volunteers to help with land conservation, presents information to interested groups of people and hosts an annual meeting to discuss land protection.

The Monadnock Conservancy’s goal is to conserve land that will support or enhance clean water, forestry and agriculture, wildlife, and recreation and scenery. New Hampshire is the second fastest growing state east of the Mississippi, and its resources are at risk, which has caused much growth pressure on these previously mentioned factors.

The Conservancy offers steps in exploring protection options. The first step is to contact the staff at the Monadnock Conservancy. This process can establish a common understanding of the landowner’s goals, and, if given permission from landowners, the staff can begin to research the property’s natural resources and other features. If the landowner and the staff agree to move forward, the Lands Committee of the Board of Trustees will visit the property and determine if the project meets the standards of the organization’s land protection criteria. Next, the staff conducts work on the property site including conducting hazardous waste assessments and continuing to research the natural resources through geographic information systems (GIS) analysis. The staff then works with the landowner to define the terms of the easement (a land protection option that leaves the land in private hands while permanently restricting development). Next, the Lands Committee brings the project to the Board for a final vote of acceptance. Finally, the staff completes a documentation of the property, recording the condition of the land (when the easement is signed) with the use of photographs, maps, etc.

Conservation programs such as this one ensure that future generations will benefit from people taking care of the land and its natural resources today. Many people enjoy hiking, bird-watching, swimming, etc., and most can agree that they would be devastated if they were no longer able to enjoy these “luxuries”. It is vital for people to protect their environment, and Monadnock Conservancy is one easy way to do this.