Towns in the state of New Hampshire are encouraged to establish Conservation Commissions to serve in an advisory capacity to town governance and to provide oversight with regards to wetlands regulations enforced by the Wetlands Bureau branch of the Department of Environmental Services. I have served on the Canaan Conservation Commission (CCC) since 1988 and have been chair since 1998. Our commission is a proactive group of people that has successfully spearheaded a number of initiatives and changes in the town. We established the CCC-sponsored annual public lecture occurring each August in the Meeting House on historic Canaan St. The public are invited to hear a local or regional expert talk about flora, fauna, or issues that relate to ecology and conservation. The CCC has written several warrant articles that have been passed by the voters of Canaan including 1) the establishment of a town forest (120 acres to date), 2) the establishment of a conservation fund, and 3) the deposit of 50% (with a $5000 cap) of Land Use Change Tax into the conservation fund annually. This fund is used for conservation purposes such as offsetting costs for conservation easements.

The CCC also collaborated with the Mascoma Watershed Conservation Council, a nonprofit conservation organization, in the purchase and protection of the Bear Pond Natural Area. This natural area is 923 acres of open space in Canaan and includes a quaking bog, a significant rocky outcrop, over 2500’ of shoreline along the Mascoma River and Little Goose Pond, and a variety of forested woodland communities. Due to stipulations made by key donors to the project, this land is to be preserved and all harvest is prohibited.

My involvement on the CCC has been rewarding. It is a commitment that follows from the adage to “Think Globally and Act Locally” and it is also a commitment that is continually reinforced by the evidence that the structure of small town local government in NH gives voice to its voting citizenry. Change IS possible!