Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) announced today the completion of the new Shillaber Conservation Easement in Farmington and Strafford, NH. This expansive 195-acre property includes a range of valuable wildlife habitat, and will also be open to the public for recreation opportunities.

The Shillaber Property includes an extensive trail system.
The majority of the land, about 179 acres, falls within Farmington with the remaining 16 acres in Strafford. With more than 4,500 acres of nearby conserved lands, (including those owned by SELT, the Blue Hills Foundation and the Blue Job State Forest) the permanently-protected Shillaber easement fits squarely within a broad area facing high development pressure. NH Fish & Game’s Wildlife Connectivity Model notes that nearly 100% of the parcel has high permeability for wildlife, making this easement a crucial wildlife corridor and refuge. Additionally, the property includes over 70 acres of wetland within the Berry River watershed. The Berry River is a key source of drinking water for the city of Rochester and this wetland complex offers the hallmark benefits of a riparian buffer to improve water quality.
MMRG Land Agent Veronica Bodge said: “We were thrilled to build a coalition of partners including the landowner, the municipalities of Rochester, Farmington and Strafford and our grant partners to preserve the significant ecological features of this property. In addition to preserving drinking water quality, this property will welcome the public for low impact recreational opportunities. ”
Residents and visitors to Farmington will be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shillaber Conservation Easement with low-impact recreational activities. The property features two miles of trails, and includes a parking area for easy access.

The property supports abundant wildlife – this beaver lodge is in the wetland portion.
With the significant wetlands and water frontage, this property is an excellent location for birding and wildlife observation.
This conservation project was completed with a $120,000 grant from The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) which provides matching grants to projects that conserve important New Hampshire landscapes as well as a $120,371 grant from the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund (DWGTF) which provides matching grants to help protect New Hampshire’s drinking and groundwater. The towns of Farmington, Strafford, and Rochester also provided support, as well as the Great Bay Protection Partnership, and the Local Source Water Protection Program. The project was also completed with financial support from public fundraising efforts thanks to many generous individuals.
“LCHIP is delighted to continue its partnership with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways by supporting the Shillaber Conservation Easement project,” said LCHIP Executive Director Paula Bellemore. “Partnering with local organizations that align with LCHIP’s mission to conserve ecologically valuable lands in perpetuity is vital to ensuring their continued contribution to the economy, environment, and quality of life that defines New Hampshire.”
“The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is pleased to work with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways to permanently protect 195 acres within the hydrological area of concern of the Rochester Water Department, which serves the City of Rochester’s drinking water source,” said NHDES Commissioner Robert R. Scott. “Protecting our state’s drinking water at the source brings public water systems, communities, landowners, and land trusts together around the goal of providing safe and clean drinking water while reducing costly and complex water treatment costs.”
MMRG additionally wishes to thank landowner Scott Shillaber who advocated for and supported the project through to its completion. MMRG is eager to bring the Shillaber Easement into permanent protection. As a small, locally-focused land trust, MMRG deeply values working with local landowners to achieve conservation successes for the region.
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About Moose Mountains Regional Greenways
MMRG, a non-profit land trust, works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro. Learn more about our work online at www.mmrgnh.org
About the New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority providing matching grants to New Hampshire’s municipalities and non-profits, helping to preserve the state’s most important natural, cultural, and historic resources and ensure their contribution to the economy, environment, and quality of life in New Hampshire. Since 2000 LCHIP has awarded 589 grants, investing $62 million in 200 NH communities to help conserve 241,000 acres of land and rehabilitate 172 historic structures. Learn more about how LCHIP is helping to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s heritage at LCHIP.org, by following LCHIP_NH on Instagram, or Facebook.