BELMONT MASTER PLAN

CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION

INTRODUCTORY REPORT: EDUCATION

July 9, 2001

AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE RESULTS FROM THE 1979/1989 SURVEYS AND THE 2000 LAND USE QUESTIONNAIRE, BELMONT RESIDENTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY HELD A GENUINE SENTIMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE TOWN'S NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES. THEREFORE, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS MUST BE MADE BETWEEN THE TOWN AND IT'S RESIDENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE USE OF, IMPROVE UPON AND/OR MAINTAIN THESE RESOURCES. THESE AGREEMENTS WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE WITH A WELL-INFORMED PUBLIC. EDUCATION, THEREFORE, IS KEY IN PRODUCTIVE DECISION-MAKING AND MAY ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

SOME OF THE GENERAL TOPICS THAT PRESENT ISSUES IN OUR TOWN SURROUND HISTORIC RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITATS, RECREATION, FORESTS, FARMING, SOILS AND WATER, AS WELL AS THE RESPECTIVE LAWS, REGULATIONS AND RULES THAT GOVERN EACH ONE. THERE ARE MANY DETAILS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN ADDRESSING ANY

OF THESE ISSUES!

OUR STATE HAS NUMEROUS AGENCIES AVAILABLE WITHIN SPECIFIC AREAS OF EXPERTISE CONCERNING THESE TOPICS. THE STATE'S DEPARTMENTS OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, FISH AND GAME, FORESTS AND LAND, PARKS AND RECREATION, JUST TO NAME A VERY FEW, ALL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SPEAKERS AS WELL AS WRITTEN INFORMATION FOR EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ISSUES. THE BELKNAP COUNTY

CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICE IS LOCATED IN LACONIA AND IS A READILY AVAILABLE SOURCE.

IT IS A STRONG RECOMMENDATION THAT CONSERVATION EDUCATION OFFICERS BE UTILIZED TO EDUCATE BELMONT'S PUBLIC OF THE BEST USE OF OUR TOWN'S NATURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES, NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE.