Opportunities From: New Hampshire's Volunteer Hub

Bear-Paw relies on the volunteer efforts of people like you to get the job done! Volunteers staff our board and committees, support our special events, and help with other Bear-Paw activities. These are just some of the opportunities available to volunteers. We can tailor jobs to fit your skills and time-constraints. Training can be provided when necessary. Many people volunteer their time each year to Bear-Paw and we hope you can be one of them.
Our Membership Development, Outreach and Education, and Land Protection Committees almost always need volunteers. Here's a brief description of each committee:

Membership Development Committee (MDC) – The MD Committee oversees the fundraising and constituency building programs of Bear-Paw. "Constituency building" doesn't just mean asking for money - it means engaging with people in our community through media outreach, special events, and personal connections. The Membership Development Committee helps develop fundraising policies for the board, create the annual development plan, oversee fund raising strategies, train the board in fundraising practices, and evaluate fundraising campaigns. Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 pm.

Outreach and Education Committee (OEC) – The OE Committee oversees the education and outreach programs of Bear-Paw. We put on programs and develop materials for kids and adults to help them connect to the natural world. The Outreach and Education Committee helps develop, implement, and evaluate all of the OE programs (presentations, workshops, and field trips; brochures, newsletters and other printed material, web site, etc.). Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 4:30 pm.

Land Protection and Stewardship Committee (LPC) – The LP Committee oversees the land protection activities of Bear-Paw. We visit conserved properties and potential new conservation project sites and engage with landowners and volunteers on conservation and stewardship topics. The Land Protection Committee also provides recommendations to the board for easements, gifts, and land purchases in the Bear-Paw member communities. The Committee also oversees the annual monitoring of all easements held by Bear-Paw. Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 4:30 pm.

A great way to get involved is to attend a Board or Committee meeting to see what’s going on – contact the office at info@bear-paw.org or 463-9400 to see when the next meetings are scheduled! 

Do you love being outdoors and want to help protect the land in your community? Join Bear-Paw Regional Greenways as a Volunteer Easement Monitor and play a hands-on role in caring for permanently conserved forests, farms, and wildlife habitat across southeastern New Hampshire.

Bear-Paw works with landowners to protect private properties through conservation easements—legal agreements that ensure land stays undeveloped while remaining in private hands. These easements need to be monitored annually, and volunteers are a key part of that effort.

As a monitor, you’ll be assigned one or more conserved properties to visit between July and October. Your role includes walking the land, observing and photographing current conditions, and submitting a brief report. Before your visit, you’ll review the easement deed and property maps, reach out to the landowner to invite them along if they wish, and prepare for a safe outing in the field. No prior experience is needed—Bear-Paw provides all the training, resources, and support to help you succeed.

Program Highlights

Time commitment: 3–5 hours per property, once a year

Training: Two required free trainings (classroom + field) held in July, then you'll be paired up with a mentor before taking on a property of your own

Experience needed: None! Just an interest in conservation and the outdoors

Support: All materials and guidance provided by Bear-Paw staff

Volunteers help monitor properties across the Bear-Paw region, which includes the New Hampshire towns of Allenstown, Barnstead, Candia, Deerfield, Epsom, Hooksett, Northwood, Nottingham, Pittsfield, Raymond, and Strafford.

Whether you’re looking to gain field experience, give back to your community, or simply explore beautiful conserved lands, volunteering as a monitor is a meaningful and rewarding way to get involved.

Protect the land. Get outside. Make a difference with Bear-Paw.

Please note: Monitoring visits often involve walking off-trail through woods, fields, and uneven terrain. Many property boundaries are not marked trails, so volunteers should be comfortable navigating through natural, and sometimes challenging, landscapes.