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Mission & Vision
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways is a land trust with a mission to conserve a network of lands that permanently protects our region’s water, wildlife, forests, and farmland. Established by resident volunteers, Bear-Paw works to conserve open space through outreach, education, and land protection project assistance. We envision a region of scenic beauty and rural character where diversity and quality of life are sustained. Bear-Paw serves an eleven-town region that includes Allenstown, Barnstead, Candia, Deerfield, Epsom, Hooksett, Northwood, Nottingham, Pittsfield, Raymond, and Strafford, New Hampshire. Our goal is to safeguard water resources, native wildlife and plant habitat, travel corridors, working farms and forests, the region's inherent beauty, and local recreational opportunities. Our volunteers and staff work with landowners, communities, and the public to identify opportunities for conservation, promote available conservation options, and assist with the completion of land protection projects. |
Bear-Paw has been protecting the places you love since 1995. |
Programs
Open Space Conservation
Bear-Paw's primary focus is to work with landowners to accomplish their land conservation goals through the use of conservation easements. Conservation easements are a proven legal framework that restrict the future development of land while allowing it to remain in private ownership. Bear-Paw provides impartial, technical assistance to landowners and often serves as an intermediary between landowners, town officials, and other conservation partners.
Bear-Paw also works with our member towns to promote conservation planning, to identify valuable natural resource areas, and to locate funding sources for land conservation projects.
Land Stewardship
A conservation easement deed is just the first step in Bear-Paw's promise to protect open space forever. Whether the easement is on a family farm, an undeveloped woodlot, or a public access hiking area, we ensure that the conservation values outlined in the easement deed are being upheld. Our volunteer monitors visit each easement on an annual basis. Bear-Paw works with Towns and landowners to maintain trails and provide guidance on new trail systems, forest management plans, and other property uses.
Outreach & Education
Bear-Paw hopes to get all people as excited about the natural world as we are. Connecting to the outdoors, whether through the diversity of wildlife, growing food, or a dog walk along a scenic road are all ways to enjoy the beautiful region. We promote
We encourage member towns to provide funding for conservation projects in their municipalities through a variety of ways (land use change taxes, warrant articles, etc.).