12/14/2004 -- Concord, N.H. -- The national conservation organization Trout Unlimited (TU) recently received an $18,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Winona & Austin Hubbard Environmental Fund to begin the restoration of Nash Stream, a degraded river with great potential that runs through New Hampshire's largest state forest.
Nash Stream presents a unique conservation opportunity because almost its entire watershed is surrounded by undeveloped public land. Using funds from its Land Conservation Investment Program, the state in 1988 bought the 40,000-acre Nash Stream Forest and provided for its permanent preservation, offering hope to those interested in the re-establishment of wild populations of brook trout and Atlantic salmon, two imperiled native species. Nash Stream historically supported populations of these fish, but after a catastrophic flood following a dam burst in 1969, the stream's banks and channel were scoured of the woody debris that supports healthy fish stocks, and shallow riffles replaced deep pools, eliminating much of the habitat that fish need. The combined effects of the flood, downstream dams, and earlier logging and gravel mining caused wild trout and salmon populations to crash.
After lengthy deliberations that involved considerable public input, the state decided to make the re-establishment of wild brook trout and salmon the management goal for Nash Stream. A team of partners, including the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, N.H. Fish and Game, U.S.D.A. Forest Service and other organizations, has formed a multi-year restoration plan and will be engaged in the long-term effort.
Mission: The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is a statewide community foundation, established in 1962. This permanent endowment comes from the gifts from many individuals, families, corporations and organizations. Earnings from the endowment are used to make grants and loans to nonprofit organizations serving the state and for scholarship awards to New Hampshire residents.