The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) is the only non-profit, member organization in the state, dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for New Hampshire’s conservation commissions. More than 1,500 volunteers serve on the state's 217 conservation commissions. They are tasked with conducting natural resources inventories, coordinating land protection, wetland permit review, and recommending local ordinances. For more than 50 years, NHACC has supported the work of conservation commissions so they can be effective protecting their municipalities natural resources.
Our Mission:
To support New Hampshire's conservation commissions in their work to protect the natural environment.
What is a Conservation Commission?
A commission is a group of volunteers working to protect the natural resources in your community. A municipal conservation commission may advise the planning board and other local bodies on conservation matters. It may act more directly to protect natural resources by acquiring conservation land or conservation easements to ensure protection of significant natural areas.
The conservation commission's powers and duties can be found in RSA 36-A. Municipalities may vote to establish a conservation commission “for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of…the town.”
Learn more about best practices and procedures for conservation commissions.
Find out how to develop a natural resource inventory and how to use this information to build a conservation plan.
Learn more about conservation commission enabling legislation and find relevant RSAs.
Find out how commissions can get involved in drafting local ordinances and zoning regulations.
Explore your options for protecting land in your community.
Learn how your commission can enhance wildlife habitat and protect biodiversity on town conservation land.
Discover opportunities help to educate citizens about environmental issues and better communicate with other boards and the public.
Learn how your commission can protect water quality and conserve wetlands.
The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions is the only organization specifically serving the needs of our local conservation commissions. We are here to help conservation commissions be effective and successful and we need your help. NHACC is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to support the work of NH's conservation commissions. We are funded by member conservation commissions, sponsor members, grants and your contributions. We receive no dedicated federal or state funding for our programs.
Your contribution is important to support the work of a statewide network of conservation volunteers.
