General Information

Durham, ca. 1895

The Durham Conservation Commission

Introduction

The Durham Conservation Commission (DCC) has a state legislative mandate to inventory, manage, and protect the natural resource of the Town, and to make recommendations to the state on all applications to the New Hampshire Wetlands Bureau. The DCC acts as an advocate for natural resource protection in Town and regional affairs, and is a source of information for Town residents.

Chapter 36-A of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSAs) provides for the establishment and governs the responsibilities and scope of Conservation Commissions. It may be viewed online at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/III/36-A/36-A-mrg.htm

The Durham Land Stewardship Committee

More than 55 volunteers worked most of an April 2011 weekend to help restore native plants at Doe Farm, a town property off Bennett Road. Volunteer families and members of the UNH community spent the day pulling common buckthorn, a non-native invasive shrub that has taken over the understory of the forest. Dense stands of common buckthorn prevent the establishment of the next generation of native tree seedlings— such as white pine, hickory, oak, and maple. Pictures from the workdays are posted online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/62337284@N03/sets/72157626492809279

Additional sections of Doe Farm have yet to be tackled for buckthorn removal. If you are interested in helping out at other workdays (likely this coming autumn), please contact Malin Clyde at malinelyclyde@gmail.com.

The Committee also continues to work on stewardship plans for other protected Town-owned properties.