The New Durham NROC program started with the Dealing with Growth in New Durham presentation in April, 2005. Over the course of the next few months, New Durham-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.

• Community Education and Outreach

• Start a Land Conservation Program

• With the formation of the Land Conservation Committee (see below) the Education & Outreach group merged with the LCC to form a single group.

• Hosted the workshop Land Conservation Options and Estate Planning workshop in November 2005

• Worked on developing an outreach plan focused on community participation in Master Plan update public meetings, and building community support for the natural resources protection sections of the plan. The outreach plan includes:
  • Posting on the New Durham town web site
  • Press releases to local papers such as the Bay Sider, and Fosters
  • Developed posters and notices
  • Developed a brochure describing the master plan workshop sessions for direct mailing

• Attended the two-part NROC work session: Developing an Effective Education & Outreach Program in New Durham.

• Together these committees applied for and received NROC funds to develop a community-wide survey to get input for implementing the recently completed Master Plan update, and to develop an outreach program focused on land conservation issues.

• Joined with the Education & Outreach Action group to form a single committee.

• Established the group as the “official” New Durham Land Conservation Committee, appointed by the Select Board.

• Reviewed NRI maps and identifying gaps that need to be filled.

• Worked on identifying a process for land conservation in New Durham, identifying conservation priorities, and identifying land conservation funding options.