Tourism, Outdoor Recreation & Nature Economy

  • New Hampshire bridge

Leveraging Natural, Cultural and Historical Assets

From forests to farms to historic downtowns, New Hampshire has a wide variety of natural and cultural resources that can enhance quality of life for residents and generate economic benefits to communities. Oftentimes, these assets require proactivity, intentionality, and strategy for communities to leverage them. UNH Cooperative Extension provides communities with support to bring these assets to their full potential.

Tourism

New Hampshire’s iconic natural beauty, local culture and recreational offerings draw more than 10 million visitors annually. These strengths also have the power to revitalize communities, incentivize investment, and attract new residents and workforce talent. Extension is committed to supporting tourism development that sustains and improves the quality of life for residents and protects our cultural and natural resources.

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Portsmouth NH waterfront

Outdoor Recreation

We work with communities to leverage their natural and cultural resources to create resilient and sustainable economies that highlight the state's diverse natural resources and unique quality of life.

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hikers feet on a dirt trail

Nature Economy

We aim to help communities connect the environment and natural resources with community goals to create vibrant economies and high quality of life for all. This can be in the form of assisting communities in identifying and utilizing their natural capital, such as connecting their downtowns with trails and leveraging green infrastructure to reduce or maintain costs of community services.

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scenic New Hampshire mountain view

Each community and project is unique. We are happy to consult with you about how our team may be helpful to your community's specific needs.

In general, below is a sample of services we have provided or helped to facilitate with our partners:

  • Long-term community-based programming
  • Educational workshops 
  • Project technical assistance
  • Technical reports
  • Community or regional assessments
  • Asset inventories
  • Economic impact analyses
  • Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research
  • Strategic planning and visioning
  • Group facilitation work
  • Funding and grant writing guidance (note: we do not provide direct grant writing services)

Please click the topic area link above for more information about our programs or contact us.

 

Articles

Old stone railroad bridge over a stream in Barrington near the new library.
Data Points, Plans, and Pathways: Barrington’s Vision for the Future
If you have ever driven on route 125 in southern New Hampshire, chances are you’ve passed through the Town of Barrington. But while some see Barringto... Learn More
lambs and ewes in a wooden pen
The NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan Brings Together Stakeholders on May 21st in Loudon
What is needed to strengthen the viability of New Hampshire’s farms and food systems in today’s modern world? This is one of the big, timely questions... Learn More
Conserve NH's Wildlife NH State Wildlife Action Plan decal illustration
Engagement Efforts Support Wildlife Action Plan Update
New Hampshire’s Wildlife are significant features of community culture and contribute to our state’s identity and economic vitality. Throughout the Fa... Learn More
A downtown traffic intersection with tree-lined street, brick commercial buildings and an old brick church.
Enhancing Downtown Vitality: UNH Extension’s First Impressions Program
Vibrant downtowns serve as the heart of communities, offering social gathering spaces, economic opportunities, and a sense of place for the people who... Learn More
Shannon Rogers
UNH's Excellence in Public Service Award Presented to Shannon Rogers
Shannon Rogers, an inspiring state specialist and Extension associate professor at UNH, has been honored with the 2024 Award for Excellence in Public ... Learn More
Four people posing behind a statue of a black bear
UNH Extension Goes (Almost) Undercover as Tourists in West Virginia
Curious how rural communities build thriving tourism and recreation economies? A multi-state research collaboration, including UNH Extension and partn... Learn More

Events

Resources

Several hundred marathon runners passing under the start banner hung over a wide street
Fostering Social Capital Through Community Events
Community events play a crucial role in fostering social capital, which is essential for community development. Social capital refers to the networks,... Learn More
Downtowns and Trails 5 year evaluation report cover
Downtowns & Trails 5 Year Evaluation Report
This report provides an in-depth look a the program's journey, the valuable assets each community discovered, the opportunities that emerged, and... Learn More
Two people walking down city street
10 Components of Vibrant Communities
A vibrant community relies on several key components, including economic vitality, community health, natural resources and recreation, community engag... Learn More
Cover page of webinar slide presentation, title bar with walkway covered in autumn leaves in the background
Connecting Downtowns & Trails: Opportunities & Challenges
Many communities have trails in close proximity to their downtowns/village centers/business districts. We share the opportunities and challenges of wo... Learn More
Report cover with picture of the Contoocook River from the bridge
Strengthening Connections: Downtowns & Trails - Hopkinton-Contoocook, 2023
Over a series of months, we worked with the Hopkinton, New Hampshire community on how to better connect its trails with its business center, the Villa... Learn More
birdhouse hanging from a tree branch with people in the background
Cultivating Farm Experiences: Can Agritourism add to your bottom line?
Cultivating Farm Experiences is a four-part Zoom webinar series that examines agritourism. Each session focuses on the different aspects of incorporat... Learn More

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