Ammonoosuc Riverlands - Bethlehem, NH

What’s the Goal?

In ACT's first 25 years, with help from our community we conserved over 5,400 acres, including the 840-acre Cooley-Jericho Community Forest in Easton.  

Going into our next 25 years, ACT has the opportunity to acquire 747 acres of river fronted forest in Bethlehem by mid March of 2025.

why here?

This area includes some of the “highest ranked wildlife habitat in the region” according to the NH Fish and Game Department. Protecting over 2.5 miles of frontage on the Ammonoosuc River located over a vital groundwater aquifer, would establish a 55-acre buffer preserving the floodplain and valuable riverside habitat on the property. Help us ensure this property doesn’t go back on the open market with the potential for large-scale development and gravel mining.

Impact on Community

the ammonoosuc riverlands will provide:

• A community access point for fishing, swimming and kayaking along the river

  • Class IV rapids downstream from the potential access point

• Healthy forest, home to a variety of wildlife

  • The property will remain open with managed trails for non-motorized recreation and potential for all-access trails

  • Potential for an eventual timber harvest through a sustainable forest management plan

• Existing snowmobile trail to remain open

• Beaver complex which provides multiple ecosystem services to property

  • Flood prevention and freshwater storage and wildlife habitat

Bethlehem’s Selectboard and Conservation Commission are supportive of this project, as are local outdoor trails organizations (Bike the North Country, Bethlehem Trails Association, Cross NH Trails), and Trout Unlimited.

We estimate the total cost to protect this property to be $1,850,000. ACT is using all our available resources, but we still need your help. We need to raise $400,000 by mid-March to acquire this property.