Newfound Lake Region Association

What Newfound Lake Region Association does

Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization headquartered at the Grey Rocks Conservation Center in Hebron, New Hampshire, dedicated to protecting the 56,707-acre Newfound Lake Watershed. Its core operational programs comprise weekly water quality monitoring at seven lake sites and 35 stream sites (40+ years of continuous data), aquatic invasive species prevention via the Lake Host boat-inspection and Weed Watcher programs, conservation easement and land-ownership stewardship covering 14,000+ acres (approximately 25% of the watershed), and stormwater management for shoreline property owners and municipalities. Education is delivered through school programs aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, summer events at Grey Rocks drawing 1,000+ visitors, volunteer-led monitoring, and EcoTours ($35 adult / $20 youth / $250 private) departing from the conservation center.

NLRA's revenue model is diversified and mission-aligned: individual and business memberships ($100–$2,500 tiers), tax-deductible donations, Leadership Circle giving at $1,000+, planned giving vehicles (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, QCDs), EcoTour fees, and summer event sponsorships ($100–$1,000). Grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Clean Water Act Section 319) and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services supports the Watershed Management Plan and stormwater infrastructure projects in Bristol, Hebron, and Groton. The organization employs 10–15 full-time staff supplemented by three seasonal AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards and a large volunteer base (Lake Hosts, Weed Watchers, water quality monitors).

The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees led by President Ed McNierney and operates under Executive Director Rebecca Hanson (since 2019). Strategic partnerships include UNH Cooperative Extension (water quality science since 1989), NH LAKES, Loon Preservation Committee, NH Audubon, Lakes Region Conservation Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, coordinated through the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership established in 2009.

Name

Newfound Lake Region Association

Legal name

Newfound Lake Region Association

Website

https://newfoundlake.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Newfound Lake Region Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the 56,707-acre Newfound Lake Watershed in New Hampshire through water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, land conservation, stormwater management, and education programs serving watershed residents, five municipalities, local businesses, schools, and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Watershed conservation services
• Water quality monitoring
• Invasive species prevention
• Land conservation easements
• Environmental education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hebron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual and business memberships providing essential ongoing funding for watershed protection, education programs, water quality monitoring, and conservation initiatives. Business memberships range from $100 to $2,500 annually.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting clean water, healthy forests, and science-based conservation. Includes annual fund drives and special campaigns.
3. EcoTour Fees: Revenue from two-hour boat tours of Newfound Lake at $35/adult, $20/youth, plus private tours at $250. NLRA members receive 25% discount.
4. Event Sponsorships: Summer event sponsorships from local businesses reaching over 1,000 visitors, with sponsorship levels from $100 to $1,000.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, beneficiary designations, and other planned giving vehicles through the Clear Water Society.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the Newfound Lake Watershed in central New Hampshire through water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, land conservation, stormwater management, environmental education, and guided eco-tours. It sustains operations via individual and business memberships, donations, sponsorships, grants, planned giving, and program fees. NLRA stewards the new Grey Rocks Conservation Center as a hub for community engagement and conservation programming.

Product overview

The Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected environmental programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings center on water quality monitoring (40+ years of data), invasive species prevention (Lake Host and Weed Watcher programs), land conservation (14,000+ acres protected), and stormwater management services. Supporting programs include education initiatives through the Grey Rocks Conservation Center, EcoTours on Newfound Lake, volunteer opportunities, summer events, and hiking trail infrastructure. The organization also provides membership/donation options (including planned giving) and business sponsorship opportunities. All programs feed into the NLRA's mission of protecting the Newfound Lake Watershed through science-based conservation, education, and community stewardship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Quality Monitoring Program A long-running lake and tributary testing program that tracks water clarity, chemistry, and ecological indicators to inform watershed protection decisions.
• Nearshore Monitoring Program Monitoring of freshwater swim beaches to track nearshore conditions and emerging ecological concerns for public recreation safety.
• Invasive Species Prevention Program Prevention and early detection program for aquatic invasive species threatening the lake ecosystem.
• Land Conservation Program Voluntary land protection program working with property owners to conserve shorelines, wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitat.
• Stormwater Management Program Site assessments and best management practice recommendations for property owners and developers to reduce polluted runoff into the lake.
• Watershed Management Planning Development of data-driven watershed management plans and advocacy for lake-friendly local ordinances and regulations.
• Education Programs School and community education programs on watershed ecology, lake science, and conservation practices for K-12 students, families, and community groups.
• Newfound EcoTours Seasonal guided boat and naturalist tours on Newfound Lake and surrounding waters, with proceeds supporting NLRA conservation programs.
• Summer Events Series Seasonal social and educational events hosted for members, donors, and the broader community.
• Grey Rocks Conservation Center A new conservation center in Hebron, NH serving as NLRA's hub for programming, events, EcoTour departures, and visitor engagement.
• Membership Programs Annual individual and business membership tiers (Individual $35-$500; Business $100-$2,500) that fund NLRA operations and provide benefits to supporters.
• Business Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program with tiered recognition benefits for businesses that support NLRA's conservation and education mission.
• Planned Giving Program Estate and legacy giving program allowing supporters to include NLRA in wills, bequests, and other planned giving arrangements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prevented over 1,600 invasive plant fragments from entering state waters since 2002, including 28 at Newfound
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• UNH Cooperative Extension Lakes Lay Monitoring ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership since 1989 with Bob Craycraft providing scientific expertise, technical guidance, and mentorship for NLRA's water quality monitoring program. Supports the Newfound Watershed Management Plan, nutrient budgets, water quality targets, and conservation initiatives.
• NH LAKEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partnership for Lake Host program coordinating invasive species prevention at boat launches. Also partners on LakeSmart property evaluation program. Since 2002, Lake Hosts have prevented over 1,600 invasive plant fragments from entering state waters.
• Loon Preservation CommitteesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for specialized EcoTour featuring Common Loon observation and education. Biologist-led two-hour boat tours exploring loon life cycle, behaviors, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
• NH AuduboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Newfound Nature Series speaker presentations and co-management of Paradise Point Wildlife Sanctuary with nature center and kayak rentals. Features scientists, naturalists, and conservation experts.
• Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand stewardship partner managing conservation easements and co-owning conserved areas including Sugarloaf Ridge-Goose Pond Conservation Area. LRCT holds the conservation easement for Grey Rocks Conservation Area.
• Society for the Protection of NH ForestssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Newfound Land Conservation Partnership providing land stewardship expertise and conservation easement management. Martha Twombly served as Program Manager 2006-2009.
• The Nature ConservancysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal partner in Newfound Land Conservation Partnership focused on protecting land around the Alexandria aquifer and Alexandria Bog.
• NH Department of Environmental ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatershed Management Plan supported by NHDES funding and Clean Water Act Section 319 grants. Partnership for stormwater management, septic regulations, and water quality programs.
• Colby-Sawyer CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jim Killarney conducting research on microplastic pollution in rural New England lakes including Newfound Lake, examining accumulation in sediment and fish tissue.
• Plymouth State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Brian Eisenhauer presenting on place attachment and stewardship; university partnership for research on watershed health and climate impacts on New Hampshire forests with Dr. Matthew Vadeboncoeur.
• Newfound Land Conservation PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 2009, consortium of local residents, NLRA, LRCT, SPNHF, The Nature Conservancy, and NH Audubon driving land conservation in the watershed. Currently working to protect land around Alexandria aquifer.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NH LAKES: Statewide coalition of NH lake associations that operates the Lake Host boat inspection program in which NLRA participates. Direct peer as a programmatic partner and as a coordinating body for the same invasive species prevention work NLRA performs locally.
• Lakes Environmental Association: Maine-based nonprofit serving multiple lakes in the Belgrade Lakes region with water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, and conservation programs. Highly comparable model to NLRA but operating across multiple watersheds.
• Chocorua Lake Conservancy: New Hampshire lake-focused nonprofit protecting Chocorua Lake and its watershed through water quality monitoring, land conservation, and education. Closely comparable mission, scale, and program mix to NLRA.
• Lake Sunapee Protective Association: NH lake-protection nonprofit that conducts long-term water quality monitoring on Lake Sunapee, manages conservation land, and runs educational programs. Directly comparable mission, scale, and program mix to NLRA.
• Squam Lakes Association: New Hampshire lake watershed conservation nonprofit operating on Squam Lake. Most directly comparable peer: similar scope (water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, land conservation, education), similar staff size, and shared leadership lineage (NLRA's Executive Director Rebecca Hanson previously led Squam Lakes Association conservation efforts).

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (New Hampshire): Global conservation organization with NH chapter and principal partner in the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership. Broad incumbent operating at much larger scale; comparable in land conservation methodology and partnership approach.

Emerging players

• Lakes Region Conservation Trust: Regional land trust that co-manages conservation easements with NLRA through the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership. Adjacent peer — focuses on land conservation rather than full watershed stewardship, but overlaps in conserved land management.
• Loon Preservation Committee: NH nonprofit focused on Common Loon conservation that partners with NLRA on specialized Loon EcoTours. Comparable in lake-based species conservation, narrower in scope.
• Society for the Protection of NH Forests: NH-based land conservation nonprofit that is a core member of the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership. Comparable in land-conservation scope and partnership model, though operating statewide.
• NH Audubon: Statewide conservation nonprofit co-managing the Paradise Point Wildlife Sanctuary with NLRA and partnering on the Newfound Nature Series. Comparable in education/outreach mission; broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_LQJKdlzgllq2JPYM9xCgA/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewfoundLake
• Instagraminstagram.com/newfoundlakeassoc/?ref=badge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newfound-lake-region-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Newfound Lake Region Association