Who We Are
Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) was founded in 1999 by Conservation Commissioners and Planning Board members from the towns of Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, and Wakefield. The newly-formed group named itself after the Moose Mountains range central to the region. Today, MMRG serves nine member communities: Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Ossipee, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro.
As a facilitator of land conservation projects, MMRG has helped protect approximately 4,800 acres, including the Moose Mountains Reservation, now owned by the Forest Society. In 2013, the Board adopted a 5-year strategic plan to expand our impact by undertaking the everlasting responsibility of holding conservation easements and owning and stewarding our own conservation land.
We accepted our first backup (executory) easements in 2013, our first primary easement in 2014 and made our first fee purchase of conservation land (Branch River Conservation Area) in 2016. Since 2017, our comprehensive Conservation Action Plan ‘Our Home Our Land Our Tomorrow’ guides our land conservation decisions. We are delighted to work with many regional and statewide conservation partners as we continue to our efforts to preserve our precious natural resources.
Our Staff
Jillian Eldredge
Executive Director
Jill Eldredge, Ed.M., comes to the position of Executive Director with seven years of non-profit leadership experience and a background in non-traditional forms of education such as farm-based, agricultural and outdoor education experience. Jill is excited about connecting with new and familiar faces in the MMRG service region; furthering the organization’s mission to conserve beloved local lands; both engaging and educating the local community in their love of the outdoors; and using her expertise in organizational development of small sized non-profits in support of the board and staff of MMRG. Jill lives in Barrington with her husband and son, John and Nathan, and her rescue beagle and constant companion, Ruby.
Veronica Bodge
Land Agent
Veronica Bodge graduated from UNH in May 2020 with a BS in Wildlife and Conservation, after originally pursuing biomedical sciences. In her undergraduate studies, Veronica completed many research experiences including studying little brown bats and Bobolinks, and previously worked at a veterinary clinic. She spent the majority of her youth outside, beginning a lifelong love for the outdoors, and is excited to bring her passion to MMRG’s work. Veronica is originally from Rochester, NH, and currently resides in Sanford, ME with her fiancé, dog Amelia, cat Clifford, and her nieces.
Astrid Wielens
Office Manager
Astrid Wielens grew up in the Netherlands and moved to New Hampshire after college to do an internship at the American Youth Foundation’s Camp Merrowvista in Center Tuftonboro. There she fell in love with the region and the outdoors. She was the founder and Executive Director of Zebra Crossings, a Dover based nonprofit organization supporting youth with chronic medical conditions and their families. After 12 years she stepped down from that position, which was a fun, challenging and very rewarding experience. She is excited to combine her passion for nature with her interest in the conservancy field. She is looking forward to sharing her nonprofit management skills to support the team and the mission of MMRG. Astrid lives in Dover with her wife Bridget and their golden retriever Luca. Moose Mountains Reservation is one of their favorite local hikes.
Nicole Csiszer (Chair)
Brookfield, NH
Affiliations: Attorney, New Hampshire Bar Association member. Chair of Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce.
Lorrie Drake (Vice Chair)
New Durham, NH
Affiliations: Retired high school biology teacher (22 years at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy). Treasurer of Governor Wentworth Arts Council.
MMRG representative on the Birch Ridge Community Forest Management Committe.
Ron Gehl, PE
New Durham, NH
Affiliations: EOS Research; Chair, New Durham Conservation Commission; Former Selectman of New Durham.
Peter Goodwin
At Large
Affiliations: Retired high school Physics teacher and Science Chair. Past board member and President of Orienteering USA, and their current Mapping Coordinator and Workshop Instructor. Wolfeboro Planning Board member, web writer for Wentworth Watershed Association, treasurer for Orchards Drive Association.
Jared Kane
Milton Mills, NH
Affiliations: Executive Director of Branch Hill Farm/Managing Trustee of the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust; Owner of Jug Hill Orchards.
Jonathan Nute
Milton, NH
Affiliations: Retired County Forester for UNH Cooperative Extension (29 years). Conserved Land owner; formerly Canterbury Conservation Commission (treasurer); NH licensed forester; and an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist.
Steve Panish
Milton, NH
Affiliations: Milton Conservation Commission
Steve Scapicchio
Tuftonboro, NH
Affiliations: Tuftonboro Conservation Commission
Wendy Scribner
At Large
Affiliations: UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist, Natural Resources (Carroll County Forester), Licensed Forester.
Ian Whitmore (Secretary, Treasurer)
At Large
Affiliations: Retired Corporate Business Analyst and Manager (35 years). Current Tuftonboro Conservation Commissioner.