Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) for a guided hike in Newfound Watershed conserved lands on Bear Mountain on August 16 at 9am. Land conservation is one of the best ways to protect the health of Newfound Lake. NLRA has worked with the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership (NLCP) to increase the amount of conserved land in the watershed, and this hike will take participants through some of the watershed’s publicly accessible conserved lands. Led by NLRA volunteers and staff, participants will explore parts of the Elwell Trail heading east to Bear Mountain, see views of the lake to the south, and get a new perspective on keeping the watershed healthy. This moderate, approximately 4 mile hike has a few rocky scrambles and up-and-down sections at the top.  Registration is required and space is limited. Register online at NewfoundLake.org/events or call 603-744-8689.

The NLCP is a collaboration among NLRA, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, the Nature Conservancy, and volunteer representatives from the towns of Hebron, Groton, Bristol, Bridgewater, and Alexandria. Since 2009, the Partnership has worked to promote land conservation within the Newfound Watershed through education and community outreach and has supported efforts to conserve nearly 8500 acres. Learn more about conservation in the Newfound Watershed and why land conservation is important at NewfoundLake.org/NLCP.

Land conservation is an important part of NLRA’s work to protect the high-quality waters of Newfound Lake and its watershed, maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem.  Through water quality and invasive species monitoring, educational events such as guided hikes and nature activities, and land conservation efforts that protect open spaces and help manage stormwater pollution, NLRA approaches conservation at the watershed level.  You can learn more about NLRA’s initiatives at NewfoundLake.org.