Conservation plan 'visioning session' set for Sept 29

Professional planner Steve Whitman (Courtesy photo)

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways invites all who care about conserving our land and resources for future generations to participate in a kickoff event for developing MMRG's new Conservation Action Plan. At this event, called a 'Visioning Session', participants will begin the process of creating a shared vision of our region's special places. The Visioning Session will take place 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Wakefield Opera House, 2 High St, in Sanbornville N.H.

With its recently expanded mission to become a land trust, MMRG is keenly aware that preserving land forever requires making wise decisions about limited resources. In order to prioritize its land conservation projects, MMRG is seeking input from many people who rely on the area's natural resources for work and play. The goal is to develop a strategic conservation action plan for its seven-town service area of Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wolfeboro, and Wakefield. The final conservation action plan will reflect the stakeholder input and outline a shared vision for the region.

To spearhead the planning process, MMRG has contracted two highly accomplished, New Hampshire-based professional planners, Dan Sundquist of GreenFire GIS and . of Resilience Planning & Design, who will also lead the upcoming Visioning Session. Formerly with the Forest Society, Sundquist had a lead role in the development of four regional plans for New Hampshire that are still guiding implementation efforts today. He is recognized in New Hampshire and beyond as a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping expert. Whitman uses whole system planning approaches that place emphasis on the value and interests of each unique place, stakeholder engagement and outreach activities. The two have successfully partnered on several previous conservation planning projects in New Hampshire.

The Visioning Session is designed to be fun, informative, and interactive, where participants can learn more about the conservation planning process and share their ideas about places that are special to them. A short presentation by Sundquist and Whitman will be followed by focused breakout sessions facilitated by conservation and planning experts. The event is free with complimentary light dinner and beverages, prepared by Chef Gracie of Sheehan's Garden. Pre-registration is required; If unable to RSVP online at www.mmrg.info, please call MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at 603-978-7125.

Over the next year, MMRG and its planners will reach out to traditional stakeholders of conservation planning, such as municipalities, conservation commissions, conservation organizations and MMRG members, and will extend this effort to include summer and year-round residents, business owners, educators, and those with interests in outdoor recreation, farming, forestry, hunting, angling, snowmobiling, horse-back riding, biking and off-road vehicles. In addition to this first Visioning Session, future sessions may be scheduled, as well as an online survey and some individual stakeholder interviews. The public is encouraged to stay engaged with the process by signing up for MMRG's e-news or becoming a member, at www.mmrg.info.

MMRG's Conservation Planning project is supported by funds from the sale of the Conservation License Plate (Moose Plate) through the NH State Conservation Committee grant program. MMRG is also grateful to the following sources for their support of this project: the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, the Davis Conservation Foundation, the Adelard A. Roy & Valdea Lea Roy Foundation, and other generous donors.