Houghton Land Donation and Conservation

In April 2023, Kathy Houghton contacted Bow Open Spaces (BOS) with a proposal to permanently protect 11.2 acres of undeveloped land on Woodhill-Hooksett Road in Bow. Displaying deep generosity and environmental concern, Kathy expressed her intention to donate the land to BOS. The property, once farmland, has transformed into a beautiful forest, with sections bordered by substantial fieldstone walls. Additionally, two headwater streams slope downhill to the northeast, eventually flowing into Bow Bog Brook.

With a long history in Kathy’s family, this land, previously owned by the Colby family, holds sentimental value from years of family time together on the land. Kathy feels very strongly that such a wonderful place should not be developed and she has committed to protecting the land. With this as our starting point, this conservation initiative plays a pivotal role in safeguarding pristine landscape and groundwater, ensuring that the land and its resources continue to be a communal asset for generations to come.

To fulfill this conservation desire, BOS faces significant acquisition expenses, including survey, legal, stewardship funds for long term protection, insurance, and other costs that must be addressed before the property’s title can be accepted. Fortunately, because this lot sits in the wellhead protection area of the Stone Sled Community Water System, BOW’s Land Conservation Committee in 2023 prepared and submitted a comprehensive (52 pages) Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund – Source Water Protection Grant application to the State of New Hampshire. The application initiative has resulted in BOS being approved by the Trust Fund for a grant of $44,350, covering a substantial portion of the acquisition expenses. We anticipate the finalization of Kathy’s generous donation and the completion of the process in the summer of 2024.