About Us
The Brentwood Conservation Commission was established
at the March 1967 Town Meeting in accordance with RSA 36:A to assist in protecting the natural resources of the town. The
Commission advises and makes recommendations for the protection, development
and utilization of the local natural resources and open space.
Conservation Commissions have two broad
responsibilities. The first is to consult with and advise the NH DES on permit
applications to do work in or near wetlands in town. The second is to advise
the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment on matters pertaining to
wetlands or water-related zoning overlay districts and site plan reviews.
The
Conservation Commission advises the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, as well as the NH Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau
(NH DES).
Meetings
Meetings are typically held the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
Membership
The Conservation Commission has a total of up to 12 members:
- 6 voting members are appointed by the Conservation Commission and approved by the Selectboard to serve three-year terms, on a staggered basis
- 1 voting member is a representative from the Selectboard
- up to 5 alternates are appointed by the Conservation Commission and approved by the Selectboard to serve three-year terms
Important Documents & Resources
Visit the Conservation page for resources on how to participate in conservation efforts.
The following reports can be found on the Town Document Center as well as additional documents, maps, and brochures of interest to residents.
Reports:
Brentwood Recreation Center Stewardship Plan
Pickpocket Road Conservation Area Stewardship Plan
South Road Property Stewardship Plan
Town Owned Lands Improvement Project
Affiliations
The Conservation Commission is a member of the The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC).
Project Highlights
The Commission sponsors the annual Town Clean-Up Day in recognition of Earth Day (2011-present), recruits volunteers to assist in various projects including maintaining town trails in collaboration with the Trails Committee, and completes over 20 annual easement surveys.
2026
- The annual Town Clean Up was a huge success, culminating in a well attended presentation by The Center for Wildlife at the Rec Center.
2025
- The town purchased the 11 acre Nooney-Munger property as an addition to the Split Rock Conservation Area. A grant of $13,250 was provided by the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership to assist with this purchase; additional funds provided by the Open Space bond.
2024
- The Open Space Committee hosted a workshop at the Mary Bartlett Library, to provide information to landowners interested in conserving their properties.
- An agricultural easement was finalized on the 28 acre Fuller Property on Pickpocket Road, which will help preserve the town’s rural character and protect important farmland and wildlife habitat.
2022
- The former New Hampshire Game Farm on South Road was purchased by Meadows Mirth Farm and a conservation easement was placed on the property.
- Residents overwhelmingly approved a $3 million Open Space Bond to be used to purchase conservation easements and properties in town to preserve open spaces, protect wildlife habitat and water resources, and provide recreational opportunities.
2019
- The 75 acre Split Rock Conservation Area formally opened in October with the completion of the trails, a new bridge crossing the Little River, kiosks and benches.
2018
- Work continued on the Split Rock Conservation Area with the creation of two new trails and a trail map. Two Eagle Scouts designed and built kiosks to display the map.
2017
- 104 acres conserved by the DeYoung family (the former Fralic Farm). The land was donated to the Southeast Land Trust (SELT) and will be managed by SELT for wildlife and recreation.
- Work continued on town-owned land off South Road (Split Rock Conservation Area). A selective timber harvest was conducted to improve forest health and create wildlife habitat, netting the town $2,000 to be used for other improvements on the property.
- The solar panel project was approved at Town Meeting in March; 434 solar panels were installed adjacent to the fire station in September.
2016
- Promoted Soak Up The Rain to protect land and waterways from erosion and contamination. Flyers were created and distributed to highlight rain gardens at the Library and Swasey Central School, stormwater management enhancements at Rowell Road West, and improvements at the Highway Shed. Learn more at www.soaknh.des.nh.gov
- Created a bulletin board at the Town Office to provide educational and outreach materials to residents.
- Participated on the committee to research solar panel installation to provide a long-term tax savings to residents and provide environmental benefits.
- Co-hosted two workshops with Rockingham County Conservation District on controlling invasive species.
2015
- $19,000 NHDES Water Supply Protection grant to hire Truslow Resource Consulting to assist in a review of the town’s regulations that protect aquifers, shorelands and wetlands.
- Moosewood Ecological LLC was hired to create land management plans for three large town owned properties, including land at the Recreation Center, on South Road and on Pickpocket Road.
- $80,000 NHDES 319a Grant with UNH Stormwater Center helped fund installation of new green stormwater management projects at Town Office, Town Highway Shed, and Swasey Central School.
2014
- $40,000 Green infrastructure grant through the Southeast Watershed Association funded installation of a rain garden at the Mary E. Bartlett Library.
2013
- Donation of conservation easement from Jody Kaufman and Roger Goun.
- A one million dollar grant through the Federal Wetlands Restoration Program coordinated by the Southeast Land Trust of NH to protect the properties owned by the Pilgrim Church, an adjacent property owned by Ahlgren, the Dodge property adjacent on Middle Road, and property on Rowell Road owned by Nisbet.
- A relationship was established with Southeast Land Trust of NH for annual monitoring of 21 town easements.
2012
- $125,000 grant from NHDES for Exeter River Buffer and Stormwater Management Project along Rowell Road West and Haigh Road including bank restoration, new stairs for easy river access, over 100 plants and trees, and a conservation easement on the Wilson property.
- Volunteers helped with restoration efforts along the Exeter River including installation of the access stairs, planting trees and shrubs and planting grass along the entire roadway to enhance the buffer.
2011
- Voters at Town Meeting approved extending the Open Space bond for two years, until 2013.
- Conserve Lawrence Lyford’s Creamery Brook Farm on Middle Road. Owners Kate and Jeff Donald to operate organic Stout Oak Farm on property.
- Volunteers clean up along the Exeter River at road crossings and by canoe and kayak
2009
- Fourteen highest functioning wetlands in town designated as Prime Wetlands at town meeting and accepted by NH Department of Environmental Services.
- $9,000 Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership grant to create Stormwater Management Ordinance. Adopted at 2010 Town Meeting.
2008
- Land Use Regulations that Protect Critical Water Resources was created and distributed with grant funds from the New Hampshire Estuaries Project.
- Open Space bond authority extended at town meeting for two years until 2011. $4 million in land already protected with $1.2 million left on Open Space Bond.
2003
- Residents approved a $2 million open space bond at Town Meeting. Funds were leveraged to protect over $6 million in land.