The Protection of an Important Strafford Property Brings Three Organizations Together
Collaboration is a cornerstone of conservation, especially in a small state like New Hampshire, where conservation organizations openly communicate about priorities and challenges in achieving shared goals. And in the Blue Hills of Strafford, such collaboration is building on decades of success.
The newly conserved Blue Hills Foundation Easement (protected on May 12), an approximately 165‑acre piece of land in Strafford, offers significant connectivity to large swaths of conserved land. Such large, unfragmented parcels are the conservationist’s ideal, providing substantial benefits for wildlife transit and habitat.
The entire property sits within the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES)–designated Outstanding Resource Watershed area, lying 1,200 feet north of Bow Lake. As such, it is home to several threatened and endangered species of birds and reptiles. A rocky ledge and a large wetland provide diverse habitat for multiple species.
In the context of long‑term efforts, this property abuts a block of more than 7,600 acres of conserved lands centered on Evans Mountain in Strafford.
In August 2025, the Blue Hills Foundation reached out to Bear‑Paw Regional Greenways to partner on the project, building on a legacy of more than 100 transactions by the Foundation that have protected over 7,800 acres. Established in 1986 by conservation pioneers George and Westy Lovejoy, the Blue Hills Foundation is a private not‑for‑profit operating foundation dedicated to conserving land in Strafford and Belknap Counties of New Hampshire. These lands are sustainably managed for forestry, agriculture, wildlife, and scientific research. (Note: current Blue Hills Foundation Board President Philip Lovejoy also serves on the SELT Board of Directors and has recused himself from any discussions or votes on the SELT Board regarding this project.)
Due to limited capacity to bring this project to fruition on its accelerated timeline, Bear‑Paw and Blue Hills asked SELT to serve in an assist role. This means SELT will undertake and coordinate project management with Bear‑Paw and the Blue Hills Foundation (which has a contract to purchase the property). SELT will hold no legal interest when the ink dries on the project’s completion. Rather, upon completion, the Blue Hills Foundation Easement will be owned by the Blue Hills Foundation, and Bear‑Paw will hold and manage the conservation easement.
“Assist projects like the Blue Hills Foundation Easement truly show the power of partnerships in conservation,” says Duane Hyde, SELT’s Land Conservation Director. “By working collaboratively, SELT, Bear‑Paw, and the Blue Hills Foundation can conserve a property that has long been recognized for its conservation value. Together, we are able to achieve an outcome that protects critical wildlife habitat and clean water while expanding a large, unfragmented landscape that supports a wide variety of species. Assist projects allow SELT to accelerate conservation in a region that faces intense development pressure and share the long‑term stewardship obligations with other conservation groups.”
“This project shows what’s possible when conservation organizations work together for the good of the whole community,” said Krystal Balanoff, Executive Director of Bear‑Paw Regional Greenways. “Protecting the Blue Hills Foundation Easement means protecting land in a place that people already love and that wildlife deeply depends on. With nearly 7,600 acres of nearby conserved and public lands, including the Evans Mountain easement held by Bear‑Paw, this effort strengthens important habitat areas in the region, while keeping trails, views, and traditions like hiking and blueberry picking part of everyday life in Strafford.”