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.
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.
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.
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
Events
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May 21, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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June 4, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Resources
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Community and Economic Development Field Specialist | Merrimack CountyEmail: John.Christ@unh.edu -
Extension State Specialist, Economic Development | Associate Extension ProfessorEmail: Jada.Lindblom@unh.eduPhone: 603-527-5475 -
Program Manager | Community & Economic DevelopmentEmail: Patricia.Prescott@unh.edu -
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