MEREDITH CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Contacts:
Phone 279-4538 ext. #222
e-mail: conservation@meredithnh.org
Town Warrent Article 10 info sheet 2-10
Overview:
− Meredith established the Conservation Commission pursuant to RSA 36-A
− The Commission is the only Town body specifically charged with protecting natural resources; it provides a focal point within the Town for environmental concerns
− The Commission is an advisory body, it may offer advice on conservation matters to state and local agencies and boards such as the State Division of Environmental Services, and the Meredith Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Board of Selectmen
− The Commission may act to protect natural resources by acquiring conservation lands and conservation easements for the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen
Major Activities of the Conservation Commission:
“Our natural resources are more than breathtaking; they are fundamental to our long term health and prosperity”.
The Conservation Commission works in many ways to conserve the natural resources in Meredith to help assure they are passed on to future generations while making them available to current residents.
− conducts research such as a natural resources inventory, mapping and describing the resources by category such as bodies of water, topography, etc. and keep such records
− monitors and manages properties for which responsible including Town owned land and Town held conservation easements
− prepares plans and recommendations; such as a management plan for Hamlin
− assisting other boards to develop ordinances related to conservation
− accepts gifts of money and property in the name of the Town of Meredith subject to the approval of the Selectmen or Town Meeting and manages these lands
− acquires conservation and open space lands (in fee or through easement) with the approval of the Selectmen or Town Meeting and then manages and protects such lands
− develops and or distributes information to the public to inform about the nature and reasons for a Conservation Commission proposal
− reviews and comments on wetland permit applications before the DES Wetlands Bureau
− provides assistance to the Planning Board and ZBA on proposed projects within the Town
− seeks to work with unofficial bodies concerned about conservation to develop mutually satisfactory goals
− keeps accurate records of its meetings and actions
Natural Resource Inventory (NRI)
The Meredith Conservation Commission and the Community Development Department have worked with Rick Van de Poll, Ph.D. of Ecosystem Management Consultants to create a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) for the Town of Meredith. This inventory provides decision makers and property owners with important planning information regarding a variety of natural resources including water resources, wildlife resources and forest resources. This information is intended to help inform and guide conservation-related planning decisions. Phase II of this project was completed in August 2009 and incorporates: (1) field investigations of each of the high value co-occurrence areas identified in Phase I, (2) field-based wildlife habitat analysis, and (3) GPS field-based delineation of prime wetland areas as made accessible by property owners. The NRI Phase II effort builds upon the map-based NRI Phase I completed in August 2005 (NRI DOCUMENTS AND MAPS) .
Scheduled Meetings:
The Commission meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Meredith Community Center, and the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm for work sessions, as needed, at the Community Center.
Invasive Plant Species in Meredith
Town-owned land under Conservation Commission Stewardship
- Dockham Town Forest
- Eames Town Forest
- Leighton Town Forest
- Hamlin Town Forest
- Hermit Woods Town Forest
- Jewell Town Forest
- Tucker Hill Town Forest
- Piscopo Town Forest
- Edgerly Town Forest
- Wood Town Forest
- Meredith Community Forest
- Page Pond & Forest
