Land and conservation easement workshops being offered

Free workshops on the use of Conservation Easements for the protection of farm and forest land will be hosted by the towns of Belmont, Laconia and Gilford, and the Belknap County Conservation District. At 7 p.m. on May 19 a workshop will be held in Belmont at the Corner Meeting House on Sargent and Fuller Streets, while the May 26 event for Laconia and Gilford will be held at 7 p.m. at the Belknap Mill in Laconia.

Both events will feature Phil Auger of the UNH Cooperative Extension, who will provide information on the pros and cons of the easement process, financial benefits to landowners, and how the process can result in the protection of open land while current and future owners can continue to utilize the property. Also present to answer questions will be landowners who have experienced the conservation easement process. At the Belmont workshop, Karen Bordeau, Wildlife Biologist will also be present to give a presentation on wildlife management and the NH Fish and Game Small Grants Program for habitat management on open lands.

Protection of open land makes sense as it can result in keeping municipal taxes down and keep working landscape available, while offering the kind of aesthetics that have made the Lakes Region such a pleasant area in which to live. These meetings are funded by a grant from the Pardoe Foundation. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome and should call 527-5880 for pre-registration.