Note: The Open Space Committee became the Open Space Plan Update Committee and has completed its mission to update the Open Space Plan and submit it to the planning board.

Mission Statement

The Candia Open Space Committee is dedicated to the preservation of Candia's natural resources, rural character and open space.

Vision Statement

We envision a Candia that sustains its rural character and natural resources, where people and wildlife coexist. We seek to maintain our forests, meadows, ponds and marshes, and to encourage the enjoyment of these resources by all who live and work here - or just come to visit.

How the Open Space Committee Was Formed

Like much of southern New Hampshire, Candia has already experienced rapid growth for several decades. Now, due to the planned widening of I-93, growth is projected to increase even more over the next 15 years. If not managed carefully, this growth will inevitably threaten Candia's rural character.

Accordingly, in 2001, the Candia Conservation Commission and the Candia Planning Board worked with the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission to identify areas of primary importance to the rural character of our town. The resulting Open Space Plan, along with the results of some follow-up studies, is intended to serve as a guide for future conservation efforts, which can, in effect, be utilized to manage growth.

In 2003, the National Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) conducted a number of public workshops as part of Candia's Master Plan update effort. As a result, a group of Candia residents, with the approval of the Conservation Commission and the Select Board, formed the Candia Open Space Committee as a subcommittee of the Candia Conservation Commission. Its purpose is to further the goals of the Open Space Plan.

The Open Space Committee Guiding Principles

• Candia landowners hold the key to protecting undeveloped property in Candia;
• Governmental boards and committees play an important role in developing ordinances and policies that can aid in this effort;
• Conserving open space slows and limits growth;
• Open space saves tax dollars because it does not use most of the town services required by residences and businesses;
• Conservation of open space must be balanced with thoughtful development in order to maintain quality of life and economic vitality;
• Coordinating conservation efforts with surrounding towns will build a network of managed and natural wild areas that can be enjoyed for generations;
• Sharing what we learn about the many ways property can be conserved will empower landowners to preserve their property to the benefit of both themselves and the town;
• Sharing knowledge of Candia's natural resources will foster the appreciation and enjoyment of our rural environment;
• Creating protected areas will contribute to a healthier environment with clean air, pure water and abundant recreation areas;
• Conservation of open space helps protect crucial habitat needed to sustain plants and wildlife native to our region.

• Public workshops about land conservation and our natural environment;
• Home-based meetings hosted by COSC members, at which invited experts consult with landowners interested in conserving their land;
• Written information materials;
• Research and information gathering in support of conservation projects;
• A progress report in the Annual Town Report (part of the Conservation Commission Report).