The Strafford NROC program started with the Dealing with Growth in Strafford presentation in October, 2004. Over the course of the next few months, Strafford-NROC participants identified goals, and formed Action Groups to develop and implement specific actions to achieve their natural resources protection goals. These activities are described below.

• Land Conservation (Stratham Ad Hoc Committee)

• Community Well Survey (Stratham Water Commission)

• Used RCCD assistance to develop state and federal grant applications:
  
  • Two eligibility applications, and two final applications for the NH DES Water Supply Land Grant Program. One of the final applications was successful (the other applicant elected to withdraw because of timing constraints).
  • An application for Federal Farmland Protection Program grant funding.

• Initiated several land protection projects, two of which were completed and protected 47 acres through easements. 

• Developed and implemented a system for Open Space Criteria Ranking for the Town of Stratham, with assistance from the Rockingham County Conservation District.

• Hosted a workshop on Land Conservation Options and Estate Planning, presented by NROC staff.

• Developed a brochure, with RCCD assistance, to increase public awareness of open space issues in Stratham and to update residents on the progress and accomplishments of the Ad Hoc Committee (the group overseeing expenditure of funds bonded by the town for land conservation).

• Data from the well surveys was used to develop a model to determine current water usage (normal and peak usage) in Stratham.

• Developed and implemented a survey of well owners in Stratham, to raise awareness of ground water issues and to build a database of information.

Received an NROC grant funded by the NH Estuaries Project to develop the Land Conservation and Education Program and the Stratham Well Survey