Beebe River Watershed Conservation Effort Completion Celebrated

“This tract is a critical part of the Beebe River watershed complemented by the White Mountain National Forest to the north and the scenic Squam Mountains to the south,” said State Forester Patrick Hackley, director of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands. “We are very pleased to play a role in conserving this special property and the many values it provides.”

A federal grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, which is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and private support from the Squam Lakes Conservation Society made the permanent protection of this working forest landscape possible. New Hampshire’s congressional delegation representing Grafton and Carroll counties — U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen along with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas — supported the use of federal funding for this project.

“I’m thrilled to see this project come to fruition, which is the result of years-long efforts from several local New Hampshire stakeholders and advocates, and all in the name of conservation. Protecting the forest and aquatic spaces within the Beebe River watershed is important because it safeguards Granite State wildlife and natural resources, all while enhancing access to outdoor recreation and bolstering our forest economy,” said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m proud to have advocated for the federal dollars that helped make this project possible and I offer my sincerest congratulations to The Conservation Fund and Squam Lakes Conservation Society for a job well done. I look forward to seeing the economic and environmental benefits that will come from this project across Grafton and Carroll Counties.”

“New Hampshire’s natural resources — from our mountains to our lakes and forests — are part of what makes our state so unique,” said U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan. “This conservation effort will help preserve the beauty of the Beebe watershed for generations to come, while also protecting industries that help the local economy thrive. I will continue working to secure critical funding for New Hampshire’s outdoor spaces, which are important to both our way of life and our economy.”

“New Hampshire’s way of life and our economy are rooted in our natural surroundings, and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to protect our environment for future generations. The restoration of the Beebe River watershed is a prime example of what we can accomplish when the federal government works together with state and local partners,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I remain committed to doing all I can to protect our environment, guarantee public access to these spaces, and support our local economies through continued support for projects such as this.”

“The USDA Forest Service is proud to be a part of this collaborative conservation effort through the Forest Legacy Program,” said USDA Forest Service Natural Resource Program Leader Neal Bungard. “This effort supports local economies through sustainable timber management, ensures quality outdoor recreation opportunities, and protects wildlife habitat for generations to come.”

An award from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in 2016 enabled efforts by The Conservation Fund, New Hampshire Fish and Game and Trout Unlimited to remove and replace stream crossings that compromised fish passage in five tributary streams into the mainstem of the Beebe River. This effort successfully restored habitat connectivity and natural flow regimes, reduced water temperature and streambank erosion, and ultimately improved aquatic habitat. Learn more about the water quality and fish passage restoration efforts in this video.

About The Conservation Fund

At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect more than 8.5 million acres of land, including 55,000 acres in New Hampshire. Through our Working Forest Fund®, we aim to permanently conserve five million acres of at-risk working forests to mitigate climate change, strengthen rural economies and protect natural ecosystems.

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