Workshops & Technical Assistance
Photo courtesy Monadnock Conservancy
Whether you are new to conservation or you are ready to take action on a local project, we can help through workshops and technical assistance.
Photos: Amanda Stone
Workshops
Designed and run by conservation professionals, these workshops will help you put New Hampshire's Coastal Watershed Conservation Plan to work for your conservation project. .
- Introductory workshops: These virtual, one-hour workshops are an opportunity to learn about the Plan and connect with your colleagues in conservation . You’ll learn why and how the Plan was created, how it can be used to support land conservation efforts, how to use its maps and associated data, how to locate local conservation priorities, and more! You’ll also get a chance to shape the focus of an in-depth workshop.
- In-depth workshops: These provide a more detailed look at the maps and data in the Plan. (Basic knowledge of the Plan is a prerequisite.) Topics will vary and may include an in-depth look at conservation focus areas and priorities for your community and how to access necessary data using online mappers and GIS. We encourage you to bring at least two colleagues from your organization; this will make the workshop breakout discussions more productive for you!
Technical Assistance
Want to work with our team or need help getting a project started? We work with municipal staff and volunteer boards, land trusts, and other conservation organizations to support use of the Plan.
- Communities: We will meet with your organization to discuss how you can incorporate maps, data, and information into your local natural resources protection, land conservation projects, and conservation planning efforts. You will need to commit to at least two meetings approximately one month apart. If you are hosting the meeting, please invite interested members of other municipal boards to join.
- Land trusts and conservation organizations: We will meet with your group to review data and maps for your region and discuss how the Plan can help support your land conservation efforts.
The Connect to Protect team worked with 6 municipalities and 2 land trusts in 2023. Hear more about some of these projects in this recorded webinar.
Photo: Amanda Stone
2024 Assistance Opportunity
Why: Land conservation is one of the most impactful ways to protect wildlife and water quality, promote climate resilience, and preserve our agricultural heritage. The Connect to Protect team can help your group access, interpret, and integrate spatial data into conservation planning and align efforts with other communities and funders.
What: Connect to Protect assistance typically involves 2 – 4 meetings to collaborate on a discrete task, such as:
- Developing a presentation and discussion prompts for a key group
- Developing a new planning tool (e.g., parcel evaluation checklist)
- Supporting inclusion of the Coastal Plan into planning efforts (e.g., master plan/comprehensive plan, open space plan)
- Refining a map to assist with planning or a grant application
- Updating layers on a community GIS portal
- Updating conservation lands GIS info on GRANIT
- Connecting you with other resources
Who: Municipal staff and boards (e.g., conservation commissions, open space committees, master planning teams), land trusts or other organizations involved in promoting land conservation, along with two members of the Connect to Protect team (Lisa Wise, Emma Tutein, Abigail Lyon, Lynn Vaccaro, with GIS assistance from Pete Steckler). For reference, here is a map of the geographic focus area of the NH Coastal Watershed Conservation Plan.
When: During a 3 – 4 month window within 2024. Exact timing is flexible.
How to apply: Confirm interest of others in your community or organization and clarify goals and tasks that could benefit your current work. The online application form is available here. We have two rounds of application deadlines for 2024 assistance - First round: applications are due Friday, February 3. Second round: applications are due Friday, May 31. We will confirm next steps within one month of submitting the application. Please note, we may not be able to accommodate all interested groups immediately.
Click the button below to sign up for the Connect to Protect email list and receive information about future assistance opportunities.