As part of the 1990 Farm Bill, Congress created the Forest Legacy Program to help protect environmentally important private forestlands threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for the development and administration of the Forest Legacy Program. The US Forest Service in cooperation with States and other units of government is responsible for the implementation of the program. States have been granted the authority to establish criteria for their programs within the framework of the national program to help address specific needs and goals of their state.
To help maintain the integrity and traditional uses of private forest lands, the Forest Legacy Program promotes the use of conservation easements, legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated set of property rights from one party to another. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary.
- NH Forest Legacy Areas (pdf)
- NH Forest Legacy Program Application (MS word)
- NH Forest Legacy Stewardship Plan Checklist (MS word)
| New Hampshire Forest Legacy Committee | |
| Brad Simpkins, Interim Director | New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands |
| Charles Bridges | New Hampshire Fish and Game Department |
| Duane Hyde | The Nature Conservancy |
| Carol Foss | Audubon Society of New Hampshire |
| Paul Doscher | Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests |
| Peter Helm | Office of Energy and Planning |
| Tom Wagner | White Mountain National Forest |
| Mike King | North Country Council |
| Chris Gamache | New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Jasen Stock | New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association |
| Staff | |
|
Susan Francher |
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands |
| Bill Carpenter | New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands |
| Deirdre Raimo | USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry |
| Neal Bungard | USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry |