The Nippo Lake Association (NLA) and SELT are partnering on a strategic conservation initiative to help ensure the long-term water quality and scenic beauty of Nippo Lake. The Landry family has agreed to sell a conservation easement on their 163 acres of forestland abutting Nippo Lake. With your help and generosity, we can protect this beautiful parcel that has been on the community’s radar for several years.

Land conservation is one of the primary tools for preventing future water quality problems. The Landry property provides a major opportunity to build on momentum launched by the NLA to sustain the lake’s water quality by conserving 25% of its watershed. Through this partnership, the Lake Association and SELT will collaboratively work to raise sufficient funds to permanently conserve the Landry Forest.

Under the sales agreement, SELT will acquire a conservation easement on the entire Landry Forest which will prohibit further subdivision or development while allowing for public access for hiking and other types of low-impact recreation. The Landry family will remain the landowners.

Protecting Water Quality

An undeveloped and forested watershed is the best way to support the long-term water quality of Nippo Lake, by eliminating opportunities for additional nutrient loading through new development. Nippo’s watershed is small at just 294 acres; protecting the Landry Forest will conserve 25% of the watershed! Further, this land includes 80 acres that the NH Department of Environmental Service has designated as an Outstanding Resource Watershed.

Safeguarding Scenic Beauty

The Landry Forest easement will protect more than 2,200 feet of shoreline – offering scenic views of the undeveloped lake frontage. The property also includes the peak and slopes of Mt. Misery which, at 570 feet, is the second highest elevation in Barrington.

Preserving Wildlife Habitat

Nippo Lake is home to a wide variety of threatened wildlife. The Landry Forest either abuts or contains sensitive habitat for various species of waterfowl, reptile, and birds of prey. Ten percent of the parcel is designated as Highest Ranked Habitat in New Hampshire and 132 acres (81%) is ranked as supporting landscape by the State of NH’s Wildlife Action Plan.

Conserving Forest Diversity

Included on the Landry property is a rare and imperiled forest ecosystem, identified by the NH Natural Heritage Bureau as a “rich red oak rocky woods” natural community. The Landry property has topographic and other factors that makes its forest resilient to climate change.