Cheshire County Conservation District

09/02/2026

It's September, and you know what that means? September is Veteran Appreciation Month!

Every September, the Cheshire County Conservation District partners with local farmers' markets to celebrate Cheshire County Veterans. Local Veterans are once again invited to participating farmers’ markets to receive a $20 voucher to purchase food every week in September.

The goal of this program is to show our gratitude and appreciation to service members for protecting our freedoms, and to bring more business to our local farm economy—a win-win for veterans, farmers and our community!

Learn more here, www.cheshireconservation.org/veterans

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Image Description: there is a painted American Flag border around a white background. From top to bottom, it reads "2026 Veteran Appreciation Month, Thanking veterans, supporting farmers, and eating local! Cheshire County Veterans with a valid ID receive $20 every weekend in September, while supplies last! Veterans are encouraged to attend one of our four participating markets per weekend! Valid ID Includes: DD214, Retired Military or Active Duty Card, Driver's License with Veteran Symbol or VA Healthcare Card. Cheshireconservation.org/veterans.

09/01/2026

Join us for the 2026 Annual Conservation Commission Potluck on October 7th, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Monadnock Conservancy in Keene NH!

Jeff Littleton from Moosewood Ecological will present findings from a 2025 assessment of turtle wetland-road crossings.

Learn how undersized culverts impact flooding and safe passage for turtles and other aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife. The Moosewood study examined habitat connectivity throughout Cheshire County, assessing culverts and other stream-crossing infrastructure for their functionality for safe passage for turtles. The presentation will cover research discovery including culvert assessment for turtle crossing and flood risks. Improving culvert passage and reducing road access are key elements to restoring aquatic connectivity, reducing road mortality, and potentially reducing or eliminating flooding risks at wetland-road crossings.

Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share for the evening's potluck! NHACC and CCCD will also provide some locally sourced snacks.

Event is free. Registration is required, www.cheshireconservation.org/event-details/2026-annual-conservation-commission-potluck

08/28/2026

What does a barred owl need after a bath? A T-OWL!

Forest Cam Friday! Forest Cam Friday! If it wasn't for .conservation, we wouldn't be able to bring you this glorious video of a barred owl taking a bath or any of the others before it. Stay tuned every Friday to get a glimpse into the amazing habitats and behaviors of our incredible regional wildlife!

Want to see more videos like this? Check out .conservation on Instagram! Learn more about Access Conservation and the work they do here at accessconservation.org

08/26/2026

The Gay-Kimball Library was featured in the Keene Sentinel for their 2026 Conservation Opportunity Fund project! This project not only created an incredible pollinator garden, but it brought the Troy community together!

Learn more about this project here, www.keenesentinel.com/elf/spotlight/partnership-helps-cultivate-community-at-troys-gay-kimball-library/article_072b7d2e-80ef-594d-a751-ba3fb0c9908e.html

Learn more about the Conservation Opportunity Fund here, www.cheshireconservation.org/cof

On the grounds of the Gay-Kimball Library, cardboard has replaced grass in preparation for new garden beds. Native flowers will soon attract bees and butterflies. Vegetables will eventually find their

08/25/2026

Are you ready? Because I know we are! September is Veteran Appreciation Month!

Every September, the Cheshire County Conservation District partners with local farmers' markets to celebrate Cheshire County Veterans. Local Veterans are once again invited to participating farmers’ markets to receive a $20 voucher to purchase food every week in September.

The goal of this program is to show our gratitude and appreciation to service members for protecting our freedoms, and to bring more business to our local farm economy—a win-win for veterans, farmers and our community!

Learn more here, www.cheshireconservation.org/veterans

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Image Description: there is a painted American Flag border around a white background. From top to bottom, it reads "2026 Veteran Appreciation Month, Thanking veterans, supporting farmers, and eating local! Cheshire County Veterans with a valid ID receive $20 every weekend in September, while supplies last! Veterans are encouraged to attend one of our four participating markets per weekend! Valid ID Includes: DD214, Retired Military or Active Duty Card, Driver's License with Veteran Symbol or VA Healthcare Card. Cheshireconservation.org/veterans.

08/20/2026

Save the Date to celebrate 81 years of Conservation in Cheshire County! The Cheshire County Conservation District is excited to host our Annual Celebration!

What to Expect:
- Enjoy live music by Milkhouse Heaters, local to Bellows Falls VT!
- Participate in our auction of locally donated items!
- Enjoy a catered dinner from CC&D's kitchen!
- Enjoy bartending services and libations from Deluxe Parties
- Celebrate our 2026 awardees: Cooperator of the Year - Monadnock Berries, Community Partner of the Year - Keene Public Library, and Educator of the Year - Carl Majewski!
- Connect with community, both old friends and new!
- Learn more about ways to support CCCD's conservation programs and help further our impact!

Registration is required and limited tickets are available! RSVP By October 9th, www.cheshireconservation.org/event-details/cccds-annual-celebration

Individual tickets for the Annual Celebration are $38.00, which includes your meal, activities, and access to the auction.

Reserved table tickets for the Annual Celebration are $284.00 (save $20 when you reserve your table!), which includes meals, activities, and access to the auction for 8 people! Tables seat 8 people and are a wonderful option for organizations, or to invite friends and neighbors!

Thank you to our sponsors: Savings Bank of Walpole, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Farm Credit East, Walden Mutual, and Mascoma Bank.

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Image Description: CCCD logo sitting over a photo of a tree with colorful leafs. To the right, brown text sits on a tan background. The text reads "Cheshire County Conservation District's 81st Annual Celebration! Join us for an evening of food, music, and connecting with community! Thursday, October 22nd, 6:00 - 8:30PM, Walpole Town Hall, Walpole, NH. RSVP by October 9th, Register or visit: cheshireconservation.org/events"

08/18/2026

Join us for the 30th annual Connecticut River Conservancy’s Source to Sea Cleanup on Saturday, September 19th!

Every year, thousands of volunteers across New England join together to clean the Connecticut River and its tributaries!

Volunteers are needed by boat and on-foot in Keene and Swanzey!
Learn more and register here: www.cheshireconservation.org/s2s

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Image Description: Dark blue background with cartoon waves on top right corner and bottom left corner. Image of man on boat in right hand corner. Image reads, “Source to Sea Cleanup. Join us for the 30th annual River Cleanup! September 19th, 9:00am-12:00pm. Join thousands of volunteers across New England clean up the Connecticut River and its tributaries! Keene: Ashuelot River Park, Beaver Brook on Water St. Swanzey (9am-1pm): Ashuelot River at Cresson Bridge on Sawyer's Crossing Rd. (Boaters Only). Register to Volunteer: cheshireconservation.org/s2s."

08/10/2026

We had a great time at the Climate Resilient Forest Management Workshop last month! The group's questions and curiosity helped make this event informative and engaging!

We were able to learn all about the management plan and the work the Nature Conservancy has done to steward this 1300-acre forest towards climate resilience at the Surry Mountain Preserve.

A big thank you to Matthias at Meadowsend Consulting, Joanne from The Nature Conservancy, Dode from UNH Extension, and Chris Liazos (Antioch University MS) for a very informative tour of the property!

Learn more about the Surry Mountain Preserve here: www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/surry-mountain-preserve/

08/08/2026

CCCD's August Newsletter is now available to read! Read about the latest CCCD news, events, grants, and program opportunities in the Monadnock Region: https://conta.cc/4hlHXCQ

Subscribe on our website to receive the monthly Conservation News directly in your inbox: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/newsletter

Image Description: Image of CCCD Logo with macro image of a forest floor. Image reads, "Conservation News August 2026"

08/07/2026

These Ruffed Grouse chicks sure aren't GROUS-EY about taking a walk over a beaver dam!

It's Forest Cam Friday! Just like this coyote, we recommend you ruff and tumble over to Access Conservation and see more videos of glorius Cheshire County wildlife!

Want to see more videos like this? Head on over to .conservation!
Learn more about Access Conservation and the work they do here, www.accessconservation.org