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Conservation Opportunity Fund

The mission of the Conservation Opportunity Fund is to provide funding for owners of small tracts of land who are interested in improving the wildlife habitat on their property. This program is an annual opportunity to support environmental stewardship and the ecological integrity of Cheshire County, NH.
 

Bee on Flower

In 2020, we awarded $5,500 between four projects:

    Laura Andrews & Cary Gaunt of Keene for pollinator habitat installation
    Anne Fletcher of Alstead for riparian buffer and pollinator habitat installations
    Hillside Village of Keene for pollinator habitat installation
    Douglas Clayton of Jaffrey for pollinator habitat installation

 
In 2021, we awarded just over $5,800 between five projects:

    Sophia's Hearth of Keene for pollinator habitat installation
    Marlborough Garden Club for pollinator habitat installation
    Tom Winmill of Walpole for pollinator habitat installation
    Bob Ziman of Swanzey for pollinator habitat installation
    Kris Snowman of Walpole for pollinator habitat installation

 

In 2022, we awarded $6,445 between five projects:

    Leslie Casey of Sullivan for regenerating forest edge

    Georgina Carley of Hinsdale for pollinator habitat installation

    Dian Matthews of Keene for pollinator habitat installation

    The Friends of the Ashuelot River Park of Keene for rain garden installation

    The United Church of Christ of Keene for pollinator habitat installation

 

In 2023, we awarded $11,558 between ten projects:

     Emily Daigle of Keene for pollinator habitat installation

     Emily Elliot of Walpole for early successional habitat installation

     Ioana Stoian of Walpole for a rain garden installation

     Jill Robinson of Walpole for erosion control and wildlife habitat installation

     Peter Oliviera Soens of Marlborough for early successional habitat installation

     Rachel Brice and Jeremy Ahouse of Walpole for pollinator habitat installation

     Skylar Roach and Wendy Wolleager of Stoddard for early successional habitat installation

     Gene and Olga Kissin of Alstead for pollinator habitat installation and restoration

     Shanon and Michael Lucas of Ashuelot for early successional shrubland habitat installation

     Shelley Woodson of Marlborough for pollinator habitat installation
 

Eligible applicants include private landowners in Cheshire County, NH with tracts of land 25 acres or less total. This can include individuals, businesses, farmers, and/or forestland owners. 

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • Have a plan for long-term maintenance and sustainability

  • Demonstrate landowner inputs of time and resources

  • Are informed by the ecology of our region

  • Provide opportunities to partner with the CCCD to offer community education

 

The following will not be funded:

  • Landowner time

  • Research and feasibility studies

  • Efforts that will not lead to improved wildlife habitat

The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) requests proposals from landowners of small tracts, less than 25 acres total, who seek funding to make meaningful long-term impact on wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
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Interested in Applying?

Applications for 2023 are now closed!

 

View the 2023 RFP Here: 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP)

Attend a Virtual Informational Session

CCCD held an optional virtual informational session for interested

applicants on Monday December 12th, 2022 at 6:00pm on zoom, view a recording here!

Ready to Apply

If you have reviewed the RFP and confirmed that you meet all of the eligibility requirements please complete an application: 2023 Application

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View an Example Application from a Successful Awardee Here!

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2023 Applications are due February 1, 2023!

 

For further information or to discuss project proposals, please contact Amanda Littleton:603-756-2988 x4  /  amanda@cheshireconservation.org

This year, we have an exciting partnership for rain garden installation and technical assistance.

This new partnership can help in planning a compelling Conservation Opportunity Fund application: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/raingarden

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Planning Resources:

Below are some links that might help you start thinking about your own wildlife project. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, contact Amanda and the CCCD: 603-756-2988 x4

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Rain Gardens

 

Pollinator Habitat

 

Planting Buffers

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Early Successional Habitat

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Lawn Conversion 
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Ecologically Trained Landscaper Directory

CCCD encourages applicants to research and install projects, but also recognizes that some projects require assistance. CCCD does not endorse any individuals or businesses listed in this directory:

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Read a Past Grant Award Recipient's Blog on their Conservation Opportunity Fund Project: zimanpollinator.blogspot.com

Thank you to our Funders!​

This program would not be possible without the funding support of private donors and the generosity of community members.

 

If you would like to make a donation to support future funding of the scholarship, please do so here!


Donations to the fund may also be made by mail, checks can be made payable to "CCCD" and addressed to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole, NH 03608. Please include “COF” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a difference!

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