Squam Lakes Association

What Squam Lakes Association does

The Squam Lakes Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization headquartered at 534 US Route 3 in Holderness, New Hampshire, operating in the Squam Lakes watershed. Founded in 1904 and active continuously since, it serves outdoor recreation enthusiasts, conservation volunteers, school and youth groups, and Squam Lake property owners through a hybrid mix of programs, volunteer engagement, and public-facing events.

Its core offerings span three interlocking areas. First, conservation and monitoring, including a year-round Water Quality Monitoring program with the oldest continuous dataset in the Northeast (since 1978), a Weed Watchers volunteer program with Diver Assisted Suction Harvester removal that has prevented new variable milfoil infestations since 2007, the LakeSmart property assessment program, and a Native Plants initiative. Second, outdoor recreation infrastructure, comprising 57 miles of hiking trails and 3 miles of mountain bike trails maintained with over 2,500 annual volunteer hours, a boat launch, canoe and kayak rentals, public camping grounds with online reservations, and a free gear loan library. Third, education and engagement, anchored by the LRCC AmeriCorps service program, the Adventure Ecology public program series, the Youth Summer Camp (JSLA), school group programs, the Squam Ranger Hiking Program, the Salamander Brigade, Science Pub, and the annual 12.2-mile Squam Ridge Race.

The underlying technology is non-proprietary and operations-oriented. The organization runs standard web, email (Constant Contact), calendar (Google/Outlook/iCal), and ticketing (Zeffy, availabilityonline.com) platforms alongside a Live Lake Camera. Revenue is generated through annual membership fees, camping and boat rentals, workshop and program fees (e.g., $45 for a Monoprints workshop), unrestricted donations, planned giving, and the Squam Watershed Campaign. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: members, volunteers, and program participants are acquired through in-person programming at the Holderness campus, off-site program locations (Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest, Page Pond Community Forest, partner venues), volunteer workdays, Adventure Ecology events, and the annual Ridge Race.

Name

Squam Lakes Association

Legal name

Squam Lakes Association

Website

https://squamlakes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Squam Lakes Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization in Holderness, New Hampshire that protects the Squam Lakes watershed through water quality monitoring, invasive species management, trail and camping operations, and environmental education programs serving outdoor recreation enthusiasts, volunteers, school groups, and property owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Lake conservation
• Watershed preservation
• Environmental education
• Outdoor recreation
• Nonprofit stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Holderness

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization generates revenue through annual membership fees that provide member discounts and perks while supporting conservation work.
2. Camping Reservations: Revenue from campsite reservations for the general public during the camping season, with bookings managed through an online availability system.
3. Workshop and Program Fees: Fees charged for workshops and specialized programs such as the Squam Lake Inspired Monoprints workshop at $45 registration, which includes materials.
4. Boat Rentals: Revenue from canoe and kayak rentals offered to visitors exploring Squam Lake.
5. Gear Rentals: Free gear rentals including kayaks, canoes, life vests, and aquascopes provided to trained volunteers and program participants.
6. Donations and Fundraising: General donations to the unrestricted fund, planned giving programs, and the Squam Watershed Campaign provide significant support for operations and conservation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Squam Lakes Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that conserves the Squam Lakes watershed in New Hampshire. It sells access to public recreation, including camping, boat rentals, and hiking trails, and delivers educational programs, workshops, and volunteer conservation opportunities to members, visitors, and the broader public. Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Holderness, NH, it combines recreation, education, and stewardship under a single nonprofit mission.

Product overview

The Squam Lakes Association is a non-profit conservation organization (501(c)(3)) offering a comprehensive suite of outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation programs. The core offerings include volunteer-based conservation work (trail maintenance, water quality monitoring, invasive species management), public education programs (Adventure Ecology, school programs, youth camp), and outdoor recreation (camping, boat rentals, hiking trails). Programs are supported by the Lakes Region Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program and a gear rental library. The organization maintains 57 miles of hiking trails and conducts year-round water quality monitoring with the oldest data set in the northeast. Major annual events include the Squam Ridge Race and various seasonal Adventure Ecology workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adventure Ecology: Free public programs on nature and conservation topics presented by Lakes Region Conservation Corps members
• LakeSmart Program
• Weed Watchers
• Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC)
• Squam Ranger Hiking Program
• Salamander Brigade
• Science Pub

Products and services

• Campground and Camping Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 57 miles of hiking trails and 3 miles of mountain bike trails maintained annually with over 2,500 hours of trail work performed each year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LRCC is an AmeriCorps service program that develops skills and experiences for conservation professionals. LRCC members serve with the SLA performing important conservation work including water quality monitoring, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and education/outreach. The program provides hands-on conservation work experience and numerous certifications for members while supporting the SLA's mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• New Hampshire Audubon: A statewide nonprofit focused on bird conservation, habitat protection, and environmental education through sanctuaries and programs. Overlaps with SLA on conservation education, citizen science, and habitat protection in the same New Hampshire geography.
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests: A New Hampshire land conservation nonprofit that protects forests, watersheds, and natural landscapes through land acquisition, easement programs, and education. Overlaps with SLA on watershed protection, conservation education, and trail/recreation stewardship in the same state.

Regional players

• Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance: A Maine-based lake-focused conservation alliance supporting water quality, land conservation, and outdoor recreation in the Belgrade Lakes region. Comparable mission and small-staff, volunteer-driven model but serving a different regional geography.

Direct peers

• Lake Champlain Committee: A nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting Lake Champlain through water quality monitoring, aquatic invasive species prevention, and educational programming. Directly comparable on lake-specific conservation mission, citizen science data programs, and policy/recreational advocacy.
• Loon Preservation Committee: A New Hampshire nonprofit that monitors and manages the state's loon population through volunteer-based reporting, habitat protection, and public education. Comparable as a regionally focused, volunteer-driven, science-based lake/wildlife conservation organization in the same New Hampshire ecosystem.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: A large Northeast outdoor recreation and conservation nonprofit offering hiking, camping, and educational programming while advocating for land and water protection. Comparable in the combination of trail maintenance, outdoor recreation access, environmental education, and conservation advocacy.
• New Hampshire Lakes: A statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting New Hampshire lakes through policy advocacy, education, and LakeSmart-style programs for lakefront property owners. Highly comparable on freshwater advocacy, LakeSmart-style property assessment programming (which SLA itself runs), and lake protection education.
• Lakes Environmental Association: A Maine-based nonprofit that protects and improves the water quality of nearly 50 lakes in the Belgrade Lakes region through water quality monitoring, invasive plant prevention, and public education. Highly comparable in mission, lake-focused advocacy model, volunteer-driven invasive species programs, and recreational access offerings.
• Lake Winnipesaukee Association: A New Hampshire-based nonprofit focused entirely on protecting the Lake Winnipesaukee watershed via water quality monitoring, invasive species control, and public outreach. Nearest geographic and operational analog to SLA, with similar recreation-supported conservation model.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (New Hampshire Chapter): A global conservation organization with significant New Hampshire presence that acquires and manages land, funds watershed work, and supports water quality initiatives. Comparable on freshwater conservation mission and watershed protection, but at vastly larger scale and with land acquisition as its primary lever.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/squamlakesassoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SquamLakesAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/squam-lakes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Squam Lakes Association