Conservation Policies

Land Protection and Conservation Guidelines of Bow Open Spaces

Bow Open Spaces is dedicated to cultivating vibrant landscapes, fostering abundant wildlife habitats, preserving clean water sources, and facilitating balanced decision-making regarding lands in Bow and neighboring communities. At this critical juncture, our open spaces in the Merrimack Valley confront emerging and escalating challenges. To enhance land protection efforts, Bow Open Spaces will collaboratively engage with local, state, and federal agencies, working both independently and in partnership with them.

Operating on a voluntary basis, Bow Open Spaces collaborates with willing landowners to safeguard crucial open space lands. This is achieved through conservation easements and fee-simple land acquisitions, primarily facilitated by donations. In instances where it becomes imperative and feasible, we also consider land purchases. Bow Open Spaces conducts its land protection initiatives through our dedicated land conservation committee. All proposed conservation easements or land acquisitions undergo a thorough evaluation and must receive approval from both the committee and the board of directors.

Criteria for Land Protection and Conservation in Bow

In our pursuit of safeguarding the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Bow, our land conservation committee employs specific criteria to determine the eligibility of properties for permanent protection. While we aspire to protect all properties within Bow, adherence to these standards ensures that our efforts are directed toward preserving the most vital and deserving areas.

Standards for Property Qualification:

To qualify for permanent protection, a property in Bow should exhibit one or more of the following attributes:

  • Demonstrates the presence of productive forests or farmland.

  • Contains or protects valuable water resources, such as streams, ponds, and wetlands.

  • Located within a designated wellhead protection area.

  • Encompasses land with high-yield aquifers.

  • Situated within Bow’s Aquifer Protection District.

  • Identified by the NH Heritage Bureau as supporting rare plants, rare animals, or exemplary natural communities (e.g., forests, wetlands, grasslands).

  • Recognized in the NH Wildlife Action Plan and referenced in the Town of Bow’s current Master Plan.

  • Contains important cultural, historical, or archaeological resources.

  • Encompasses a portion of a major recreational trail corridor or offers significant public recreation opportunities.

  • Provides scenic views, especially from trails.

  • Facilitates other ongoing or future land protection projects.

  • Enhances existing or abutting protected land.

  • Identified in Bow’s Master Plan as being worthy of protection.

  • Enjoys significant community support within the Town of Bow.

By adhering to these criteria, we strive to ensure that our land protection and conservation activities in Bow are strategic, well informed, and reflective of our community’s values and priorities. Together, we work towards preserving the natural treasures that make Bow a unique and cherished place for generations to come.