Conservation & Current Use
Current Use
Statewide, almost 3 million acres are enrolled in Current Use, close to 60% of New Hampshire’s 5.7 million total acres. If you have a property that is 10 acres or more and is comprised of forest, farmland, or unproductive land, it could be eligible for enrollment in Current Use*. Enrolling property in Current Use lowers your tax rate, with an additional benefit if the landowner allows public, non-motorized recreational use of the land. The tax rate can be still further reduced if a Forest Stewardship Plan has been written for the property. If you have an eligible property and are interested in enrolling it in Current Use, we can help. We can also help if you would like a Forest Stewardship Plan written for your property. Please Contact Us for more information, or visit SPACE: New Hampshire’s Current Use Coalition.
*Additionally, wetlands less than ten acres, Certified Tree Farms of any size, and agricultural/horticultural lands of any size grossing $2,500 or more annually are also eligible. Buildings are not eligible. Other exclusions apply.
Conservation Easements
Conserving your land preserves it in an undeveloped state in perpetuity, for the benefit and enjoyment of generations to come. Conserved properties can have a variety of qualities, but typically have what is considered a “high conservation value,” that is, special features like rare species, scenic views, or historic attributes. With 1.8 million acres – over 30% of its total land area – in conservation, New Hampshire has more “high conservation value” lands than you might think.
There are many different ways to conserve land, but generally, conservation places restrictions on land use, while either retaining land in private ownership or by donating or selling it to a governmental or private non-profit entity. Both methods can result in substantially lower taxes, including income, estate, and/or capital gains taxes. Although development is restricted on conserved properties, the land can still be used in a multitude of ways, such as for public recreation on trails and waterways, hunting, and the production of forest and agricultural products.
Conserving land maintains open space while sustaining ecosystem health, supporting the rural economy, and encouraging tourism. If you are interested in learning more about land conservation, we can help you navigate this somewhat confusing process. Jon placed a conservation easement on his own property in 2009, and is passionate about sharing his story with others. Please Contact Us if you would like more information.
NRCS Technical Service Provider
A Technical Service Provider, or TSP, is an individual or business that works on behalf of the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to aid landowners in conservation planning and design. The NRCS provides financial assistance to farmers and forest land owners, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), to incentivize the adoption of a Conservation Activity Plan. A registered TSP assists the landowner in navigating this process by developing and implementing the Conservation Activity Plan. The EQIP funds can be used to help pay for a Forest Stewardship Plan, construction of forest trails and log landings for timber harvesting, Timber Stand Improvement, or post-harvest erosion control practices, to name a few.
Jon Martin is a registered NRCS Technical Service Provider, and would be happy to discuss this process with you, and any practices you might be interested in implementing on your land.