What Rockingham County Conservation District does

Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) is a governmental nonprofit and political subdivision of the State of New Hampshire, established in 1946 under NH State Statute RSA 432:12 and headquartered at 110 North Road, Brentwood, NH. The organization delivers soil and water conservation services at the local level, governed by a state-appointed Board of Supervisors and operated by a small staff of technical specialists including District Manager Vicky Nelson, senior project managers, conservation technicians, and licensed professionals (NH septic designers, soil scientists, wetland scientists, hydraulic engineers). RCCD's service portfolio spans four core areas: Conservation Land Management (easement monitoring, baseline documentation, and GIS mapping for 100+ easements protecting 4,500–4,741 acres), Ecological Services (habitat restoration, invasive species control, vernal pool assessments, grant writing), Septic/Technical Services (municipal review services for 11 member towns), and Agricultural/Equipment Rentals for farmers.

RCCD's revenue model is diversified across federal and state grants (USDA NRCS, NH DES Coastal Program, NH State Conservation Committee), tax-deductible donations, fee-based municipal technical services, and small-scale fundraising (annual trout sale, workshops). Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on direct relationships with municipal governments, landowners, farmers, and a 900+ volunteer base contributing over 9,000 hours valued at approximately $252,477 in grant match. The Climate Resilience Grant program, launched in 2022, distributes over $1M in pass-through funds to NH farmers through the statewide network of 10 conservation districts, extending RCCD's effective reach beyond Rockingham County.

RCCD's notable projects include multi-year restoration at Odiorne Point State Park (120+ acres of invasive species control, pollinator habitat, coastal resiliency planning using the SLAMM model, and turtle nesting habitat), the Fairhill Saltmarsh Restoration, a Pollinator Demonstration Project in partnership with the Xerces Society, and a Turtle Nesting Habitat Demonstration with NH Fish and Game. Strategic partnerships span USDA NRCS, NH DES, NH DNCR, NH Fish and Game, NH State Conservation Committee, UNH Extension, the Xerces Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Student Conservation Association, Seacoast Science Center, NH Charitable Foundation, and regional land trusts — providing funding, technical expertise, and referral channels that underpin program delivery.

Name

Rockingham County Conservation District

Legal name

Rockingham County Conservation District

Website

https://rockinghamccd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rockingham County Conservation District is a New Hampshire governmental nonprofit that delivers soil, water, and habitat conservation services — including municipal septic reviews, easement stewardship, farmer climate grants, and ecological restoration — to municipalities, landowners, and farmers primarily across Rockingham County and statewide via the NH Conservation District Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Conservation land management
• Habitat restoration services
• Agricultural equipment rental
• Septic system review
• Climate resilience grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Funding: Primary funding from federal and state grants including USDA NRCS, NH DES Coastal Program, NH State Conservation Committee, and other government sources for conservation projects.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code as a governmental nonprofit.
3. Technical Service Fees: Fee-based technical services for municipalities including septic design reviews, test pit witnessing, basal and final inspections, and subdivision reviews. Rates changed effective January 1, 2026.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual trout sale fundraiser to support local conservation projects. NH raised rainbow and brook trout available for backyard pond stocking.
5. Climate Resilience Grants to Farmers: Pass-through grant program distributing funds to NH farmers for climate adaptation and mitigation projects. Over $1 million awarded since 2022.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rockingham County Conservation District delivers soil and water conservation at the local level through four contracted service lines: Conservation Land Management (easement monitoring, baseline documentation, GIS mapping), Ecological Services (habitat restoration, invasive species control, vernal pool assessments, stormwater reviews, grant writing), Septic/Technical Services (design reviews, test pit witnessing, subdivision reviews for member municipalities), and Agricultural/Equipment Rentals (soil health and IPM equipment for farmers). It also administers the Climate Change Resilience Grant program for NH farmers and delivers multi-year habitat restoration projects across the county.

Product overview

Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) is a governmental nonprofit that provides a portfolio of conservation services rather than a single unified product. The core services include Conservation Land Management (easement monitoring, baseline documentation, and GIS mapping), Ecological Services (habitat restoration, invasive plant control, and natural resource assessments), Septic/Technical Services (municipal review services), and Agricultural/Equipment Rentals. RCCD also administers the Climate Change Resilience Grant for Farmers. Major ongoing projects include Odiorne Point State Park restoration (invasive plant control, coastal resiliency, wildlife monitoring), Fairhill Saltmarsh Restoration, Pollinator Demonstration Project, and Turtle Nesting Habitat Demonstration Project. Educational offerings include invasive plant species resources, native plant resources, and land conservation resources. The organization also runs an annual Backyard Trout Sale fundraiser and coordinates volunteer programs for easement monitoring and habitat restoration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Land Management Annual stewardship monitoring, baseline documentation, GIS mapping, and easement boundary shapefiles/GPS points for municipal open space and conservation easement parcels. Currently manages over 100 easements protecting approximately 4,500-4,741 permanently protected acres across Rockingham County.
• Ecological Services
• Septic / Technical Services
• Agricultural Equipment Rentals
• Climate Change Resilience Grant for Farmers Cost-share grants administered to NH farmers to reduce agriculture's climate impact through greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon sequestration, and farm resiliency adaptation. Distributed via the 10-district NH Conservation District Network.
• Annual Backyard Trout Sale

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 million in grant funds awarded to NH farms since 2022 for climate resilience projects
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NH State Conservation CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Funding source for pollinator habitat enhancement at Odiorne Point State Park along with NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.
• Rye Conservation CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local partner for Fairhill Saltmarsh Restoration project. Participated in restoration planning and community engagement for the saltmarsh project in Rye.
• NH State Conservation CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Oversees the 10 NH Conservation Districts. Provides administrative support and coordinates statewide conservation initiatives including the Climate Resilience Grant program.
• NH Fish and Game (NHFG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner on turtle nesting habitat demonstration project. Working Lands for Wildlife initiative collaboration. NHFG assists with wildlife monitoring and provides expertise on endangered species including Blanding's, spotted, and wood turtles.
• The Xerces Society for Invertebrate ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner on pollinator demonstration project studying milkweed and monarch butterfly habitat. Provided site walk expertise and conservation practice recommendations for NRCS.
• The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire (TNC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaborated on pollinator demonstration project. TNC Lubberland Creek site in Newmarket included in project site locations for milkweed habitat research.
• NH Division of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010DNCR is the managing agency for Odiorne Point State Park. RCCD works with DNCR on habitat restoration, invasive species control, coastal resiliency planning, and trail modifications at the park.
• Seacoast Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Located at Odiorne Point State Park. Collaborates on environmental education and hosts restoration-related events and workshops at the park.
• Student Conservation Association (SCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010SCA crews assist with invasive species removal, native plantings, and habitat restoration at Odiorne Point State Park. Provides trained restoration crews for large-scale projects.
• NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) Coastal ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Long-standing partnership for coastal restoration projects including Fairhill Saltmarsh Restoration and Odiorne Point State Park coastal resiliency planning. DES Coastal Program provides funding and technical expertise for saltmarsh and coastal habitat projects.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Federal partner providing conservation programs and funding. RCCD coordinates NRCS programs at local level. NRCS provides funding for Climate Resilience Grants and other conservation initiatives. Local Working Group meetings held jointly.
• UNH Cooperative ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Statewide partner providing educational resources and technical expertise for agriculture, natural resources, and conservation. Collaborates on farmer workshops and climate resilience programming.
• NH Land Trust CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Statewide resource for land conservation. RCCD refers landowners to NH Land Trust Coalition and other land trusts for easement services.
• Southeast Land Trust (SELT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Regional land trust serving southeastern NH. RCCD refers landowners interested in conservation to SELT and other eligible conservation organizations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Southeast Land Trust (SELT): Regional land trust serving southeastern NH including towns in Rockingham County. Manages conservation easements and partners with RCCD for referrals, offering a directly overlapping easement stewardship and land protection service line.
• Hillsborough County Conservation District: Another NH conservation district operating under identical statutory authority and statewide coordination via the NH State Conservation Committee. Delivers comparable agricultural, municipal, and ecological services in Hillsborough County, the most populous NH county.
• Strafford County Conservation District: Adjacent NH conservation district serving Strafford County under the same RSA 432:12 statutory framework. Co-administers the statewide NH Climate Resilience Grant program with RCCD, providing agricultural, easement, and ecological services with overlapping service scope.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire: State chapter of a national conservation organization that collaborates with RCCD on pollinator demonstration projects and operates at a larger scale across NH. Comparable in conservation easement management and habitat restoration mission, with greater geographic reach and fundraising capacity.
• UNH Cooperative Extension: University-affiliated extension service providing educational resources and technical expertise in agriculture and natural resources across NH. Longstanding partner of RCCD on farmer workshops and climate resilience programming, with overlapping service to NH farmers and landowners.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NH): Federal agency that is RCCD's primary funding and program partner, providing conservation programs and cooperative agreements. Defines the policy framework within which NH conservation districts operate and competes for the same project funding pipeline at the federal level.
• NH Audubon: Statewide nonprofit focused on bird and habitat conservation, with sanctuaries and conservation programs that overlap RCCD's wildlife habitat and pollinator work. A larger, established player in NH conservation with overlapping mission space but different operating model.

Emerging players

• Agricultural Resources Conservation Foundation (NH): NH-based foundation that channels funding to farm viability and climate adaptation projects, including as a financial partner for RCCD's Climate Resilience Grant program. Operates in adjacent funding/grant administration space for NH agricultural conservation.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rockingham-county-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rockingham County Conservation District