Conservation Commission
In April of 1990, the Town of Hinsdale appointed a Conservation Commission. Through continuing support from the efforts of the volunteers elected to serve on the commission, conservation priorities that are important to the town are addressed on an ongoing basis.
As ecological and climate conditions continue to change, The Conservation Commission is dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing our natural resources. We strive to promote balance between community growth and development, and wildlife, and environmental stewardship to ensure a healthy and resilient home for present and future generations.
A conservation commission is a local volunteer municipal body responsible for protecting a community's natural resources, managing open spaces, and advising local boards on environmental impacts.
Conservation commissions operate as local, authorized, and usually volunteer boards, acting as stewards for local environmental health, as noted on the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions website and in Center for Land Use Education and Research documents.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Natural Resource Inventory & Planning: Creating and maintaining an index of open areas, wetlands, and natural resources to guide land-use decisions.
- Land Acquisition and Management: Acquiring land or conservation easements (subject to approval by the local governing body) and managing town-owned conservation areas, forests, and parks.
- Wetlands Protection: Investigating and providing input on wetlands dredge-and-fill permit applications, often advising state and local authorities on environmental impacts.
- Advisory Role: Providing recommendations to planning boards and zoning boards regarding the environmental consequences of development proposals.
- Public Education and Outreach: Promoting conservation awareness, sponsoring workshops on environmental issues, and conducting community cleanups.
- Administration: Receiving gifts, grants, or funds to support conservation projects.