The vision, generosity, and dedication of our community preserves and protects the rustic beauty and healthy ecosystem of the Chocorua Lake Basin across generations.
For as long as anyone can remember, the view from Route 16 of Chocorua Lake and the Little Lake, the rustic Narrows Bridge, and Mount Chocorua has been one of the most photographed scenes in the Northeastern United States. It has graced calendars all over the world and is recognized on New Hampshire’s “America the Beautiful” state quarter. The 6,000-acre Chocorua Lake Basin was designated by the National Park Service in 2005 a National Historic District, the largest such district in New England.
For 50 years, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) has preserved the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin.
Thanks to the vision of its founders, the generosity of its donors, and the dedication of its volunteers, the CLC now protects or owns all properties bordering on and visible from Chocorua Lake.
The result? A stunning and iconic view from the highway, pristine water quality, a scenic landscape, and public access to 40 percent of Chocorua Lake’s shoreline and nearby conservation lands.
The founders’ vision to protect and preserve Chocorua Lake and the surrounding land was prescient. They were on the early wave of a national movement to use ownership and easements to conserve and protect land.
By the mid-20th century, it was becoming clear to all who loved the basin and its beauty that the pressures of development were converging on one of the last unspoiled stretches of Route 16, a major corridor to the White Mountains for thousands of visitors newly freed from wartime gas rationing. It was also clear that the uncoordinated actions of individual landowners could not be relied upon to protect this treasure for the public in perpetuity.
In 1968, landowners in the Chocorua Lake Basin joined with other members of the community to form the Chocorua Lake Conservation Foundation (CLCF) and the Chocorua Lake Association (CLA), sister organizations with a joint mission of preserving forever the beauty and natural resources of the basin for public benefit. The CLCF and CLA were publicly supported nonprofits, relying entirely on financial contributions and other support from basin landowners and the general public, and representing the commitment of a “village” which extended far beyond the basin. In 2014, the CLCF and CLA merged to form today’s Chocorua Lake Conservancy, which carries on their mission and commitment.
Over 125 individuals have generously donated their time as board members of the CLFC, CLA and CLC over the past 50 years, and over 725 different households from over 30 states have made financial donations.
Today’s “Village”
In an effort of remarkable creativity, foresight, and consensus-building, the founders of the CLCF and CLA united virtually all of the landowners of the basin in a community preservation effort, utilizing tools which had not yet been invented under state or federal law. Conservation Easements, as we know them today, did not yet exist, and landowners who agreed to restrict the future development of their property with perpetual conservation covenants received no income tax benefit from their generosity. New Hampshire did not recognize modern Conservation Easements until 1979, and the IRS did not allow charitable donations for gifts of easements until 1980.
Today the basin and its thousands of annual visitors enjoy the results of a nearly complete network of conservation agreements by and among basin landowners. This network of protection of an entire watershed is highly unusual, if not unique. Just as the creation of this network of protection required the coordinated efforts of an entire community, or “village,” the maintenance and stewardship of this network requires the participation and support of the community as we move into the future.
Join us on Saturday, June 30th for our 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration!
Come raise a glass and help us celebrate the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and our 50 years of helping to keep the Chocorua Lake Basin pristine and accessible for everyone. The party will be held from 5:30 pm to dusk on Saturday, June 30th, under a tent at the “Island” (Old Route 16) on the eastern shore of Chocorua Lake. Please click here for event information and attendee registration instructions.
Summer of Celebration
The CLC plans to mark the 50th anniversary with a series of events to celebrate and engage with our community. We encourage everyone to check out the list of upcoming events on the CLC website.
The Chocorua Lake Basin belongs to this community, and its future depends on all of us. We invite the entire community to join us this summer as we celebrate and plan for the continued preservation of this special corner of the world.