Protecting southern New England’s cherished landscapes takes vision, collaboration, and perseverance. Federal grant requirements are rigorous, and competition is fierce. But these national programs give North County Land Trust (NCLT) an opportunity at large pockets of funding that can bring significant projects to fruition and can be, in some ways, more flexible than state grant programs.
The US Forest Service’s “Forest Legacy” grant program requires at least 1,000 acres to be competitive. In NCLT’s region, preparing a viable application involves coordinating with many landowners and cooperative partners, with different priorities and resources. Federal grants also require special review processes and adherence to federal statutes. However, these grants can result in significant financial investments, enabling the completion of large-scale conservation projects. Recognizing this potential, the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit River Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council collaborated with the Nashua River Watershed Association and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to submit a Forest Legacy Grant application. Their efforts paid off: the application was accepted and awarded in 2023.
The project will protect 20 tracts of priority lands, totaling 2,098 acres, and bring $8.6 million of US Forest Service Forest Legacy Program funding to the local level. Among the partners is NCLT, which is directly involved in protecting three Forest Legacy Project tracts. NCLT’s Director of Conservation and Climate, Anna Wilkins, is also serving as Project Coordinator for the Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council, supporting project partners with their tracts and ensuring compliance with Forest Legacy requirements. This work exemplifies the critical, behind-the-scenes conservation efforts that NCLT undertakes regularly.
Upon completion of the project in 2026, key linkages, large swaths of priority habitat for the threatened Blanding’s turtle, and hundreds of acres of land identified as climate-resilient by The Nature Conservancy will be permanently protected—especially significant as development pressures increase. Forest Legacy projects are evaluated and ranked nationally, and this “Nashua Wild & Scenic Rivers and Forests” project ranked 6th in the nation, underscoring its conservation value.
The first tract in Groton was closed last month. All Forest Legacy Partners look forward to finalizing additional tracts in the coming months as they continue to protect the beautiful, wild, and scenic Nashua River Greenway!
