Conservation Commission

Mission

The purpose of the Orford Conservation Commission is to promote the proper utilization and protection of natural resources and protect the watershed resources within the Town of Orford in accordance with (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 36-A, Conservation Commissions.

Japanese Knotweed (“Bamboo”) is invading Orford!

Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is an extremely fast growing invasive herbaceous plant in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). Native to Asia, it was introduced to the United States sometime during the late 1800’s as an ornamental plant. Unfortunately, it crowds out native species and can grow at a rate of up to 8 centimeters a day in the spring. It’s found in every state except North Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida and Hawaii.

Many people mistake Japanese knotweed for bamboo, as the stems are jointed and hollow. Unlike bamboo the plant has large semi-triangular leaves that alternate on the stem. It is a large, fast growing shrub-like plant that can grow through asphalt and concrete and reach 9 feet in height. It has large woody rhizomes that can grow up to 10 feet deep and 40 feet long, and remain dormant for years. It can regenerate from rhizome pieces as small as ½ inch.

What can we do to help control the spread of this non-native, invasive, and potentially damaging plant?

Adopt a Roadside / Adopt a Streambank!

Is there a colony of knotweed on YOUR property or nearby along Orford’s roadsides and byways? Is there a section of Jacobs or Archertown Brook on or near your property already being overrun by knotweed?

Would you be willing to volunteer some of your time to help to stop the spreading of this plant?

The Orford Conservation Commission can show you what to do.  It’s easy – no power tools, no chemicals needed – but persistence is essential.

Please join us and join the effort to control the invasion!

Please see links below for additional information.

https://slate.com/technology/2019/05/japanese-knotweed-invasive-plants.html

https://wildlife.state.nh.us/invasives/

https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/divisions/plant-industry/faq-invasive-species.htm

Leadership

Members
Bob Hedges – Chair
Edmond Cooley – Vice Chair
Harry Pease

Alternates
Fran Plaisted – Secretary
Emily Bryant – Asst. Secretary
John Miller

Kevin Follensbee, Selectboard Liaison

Contact & Hours

Upcoming Events

HIKE ORFORD

Sponsored by the Orford Conservation Commission

October 12 – Cottonstone Mountain, Co-Sponsored with Upper Valley Land Trust, Hike co-leader: Jason Berard, UVLT.

On our hike up Cottonstone,  we will learn the origin of this place name and take in the amazing views looking southerly down the river towards the iconic Orford/Fairlee Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge and beyond.
Expect the hike to be a little steep, climbing 800 feet in elevation along the network of forest roads that will take us to our destination for the day; one of the many spectacular vistas along the ridge.  We’ll take breaks along the climb to share some of the natural wonders found along the way.  Jason Berard from UVLT will be our guide.
The hike will be approximately 3 miles long. Plan on the trip taking approximately 3 hours.  Bring water and trail snacks.
We will meet at the trail head off of NH Route 10 at 10 AM on Saturday morning, October 12  The trail head is off the private driveway at 1052 NH-10, about 2.2 miles North of the Orford/Fairlee Bridge on NH-10.  Signs will be posted to provide directions from NH-10 to our trail head parking.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us on October 12th.

Map

Documents

2011 Orford Natural Resources Inventory.pdf 702.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
2020 Orford Natural Resource Inventory.pdf 2.9 MB 12/23/2020 8:30 pm
OCCBylaws.doc 68.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
Water Test Results 2019 - 2021.pdf 121.8 KB 10/14/2021 3:22 pm

2024 Minutes

01-18-2024 OCC Minutes vF.pdf 137.4 KB 8/8/2024 2:49 pm
02-15-2024 OCC Minutes vF.pdf 139.7 KB 8/8/2024 2:49 pm
04-18-2024 OCC Minutes.pdf 126.1 KB 8/8/2024 2:49 pm
05-22-2024 OCC Minutes.pdf 150.7 KB 8/16/2024 1:26 pm
07-18-2024 OCC Minutes.pdf 152.5 KB 8/16/2024 1:26 pm

2023 Minutes

01-19-2023 OCC_Minutes.pdf 175.0 KB 6/15/2023 3:53 pm
02-16-2023 OCC_Minutes.pdf 184.9 KB 6/15/2023 3:53 pm
04-20-2023 OCC Minutes.pdf 89.7 KB 11/20/2023 1:03 pm
05-18-2023 OCC Minutes.pdf 145.2 KB 6/16/2023 1:06 pm
06-15-2023 OCC Minutes.pdf 156.0 KB 11/20/2023 1:03 pm
08-17-2023 OCC MInutes.pdf 94.8 KB 11/20/2023 1:03 pm
11-16-2023 OCC Minutes.pdf 144.4 KB 1/17/2024 7:51 pm

2022 Minutes

03-17-2022 OCC Minutes.pdf 164.3 KB 4/22/2022 3:11 pm
04-21-2022 OCC Minutes.pdf 163.0 KB 7/14/2022 1:56 pm
06-16-2022 OCCMinutes.pdf 121.0 KB 9/29/2022 1:04 pm
09-15-2022 OCCMinutes.pdf 195.7 KB 6/15/2023 3:53 pm
10-27-2022 OCCMinutes.pdf 156.4 KB 6/15/2023 3:53 pm

2021 Minutes

01-28-2021 OCCMinutes.pdf 116.5 KB 8/24/2021 4:55 pm
02-02-2021 special mtg OCCMinutes.pdf 121.1 KB 8/24/2021 4:55 pm
04-15-2021 OCC minutes.pdf 122.7 KB 8/24/2021 4:55 pm
05-20-2021 OCCMinutes.pdf 181.9 KB 8/24/2021 4:55 pm
06-17-2021 OCC Minutes.pdf 152.8 KB 10/13/2021 6:26 pm
09-16-2021 OCC Minutes.pdf 175.0 KB 11/23/2021 2:21 pm
11-18-2021 OCCMinutes.pdf 116.0 KB 4/22/2022 3:11 pm

2020 Minutes

01-16-2020 OCC Minutes.pdf 156.1 KB 4/24/2020 12:54 pm
02-20-2020 OCC Minutes.pdf 156.7 KB 4/24/2020 12:54 pm
03-19-2020 OCC Minutes - NO MEETING.pdf 14.6 KB 4/24/2020 12:54 pm
04-23-2020 OCC Minutes.pdf 121.4 KB 7/14/2020 3:57 pm
05-21-2020 OCC Minutes.pdf 96.9 KB 7/14/2020 3:57 pm
06-18-2020 OCC minutes.pdf 94.6 KB 9/14/2020 2:29 pm
07-16-2020 OCC Minutes.pdf 190.0 KB 9/11/2020 4:25 pm
08-20-2020 OCCMinutes.pdf 164.1 KB 11/16/2020 1:42 pm
10-15-2020 OCC Minutes.docx 32.8 KB 2/1/2021 1:57 pm
12-17-2020 OCCMinutes.pdf 121.8 KB 2/1/2021 1:57 pm

2019 Minutes

01-17-2019 OCC Minutes.docx 1.0 MB 5/21/2019 12:38 pm
02-21-2019 OCC Public Hearing minutes.docx 31.8 KB 3/22/2019 12:11 pm
02-21-2019.OCC Minutes.docx 24.7 KB 3/22/2019 12:11 pm
03-21-2019 OCC Minutes.docx 29.9 KB 5/21/2019 12:38 pm
04-18-2019 OCCMinutes.docx 28.1 KB 5/21/2019 12:38 pm
05-16-2019 OCC Minutes .pdf 171.5 KB 6/24/2019 1:43 pm
06-20-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 162.7 KB 7/23/2019 2:23 pm
07-18-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 163.8 KB 9/20/2019 5:05 pm
08-15-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 163.0 KB 9/20/2019 5:05 pm
09-19-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 169.1 KB 12/11/2019 3:23 pm
10-17-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 162.5 KB 12/11/2019 3:24 pm
10-24-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 152.2 KB 12/11/2019 3:24 pm
11-21-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 92.1 KB 3/26/2020 3:48 pm
12-19-2019 OCC Minutes.pdf 91.4 KB 3/26/2020 3:48 pm

2018 Minutes

11-15-2018 OCCMinutes.docx 1.8 MB 1/23/2019 2:11 pm
12-20-2018 OCCMinutes Final.docx 26.1 KB 1/23/2019 2:10 pm
2017.09.21-OCC-Munutes approved.docx 23.1 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2017.10.19-OCC-Munutes approved.docx 23.6 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2017.11.16-OCC-Munutes approved.docx 38.3 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2018-1-18-OCC-Munutes- final.docx 30.7 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2018-2-15-OCC-Munutes- Approved.docx 22.6 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2018.05.24 Approved Minutes OCC.docx 23.7 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
2018.06.21-OCCunsealed-minutes.docx 18.9 KB 8/21/2018 7:26 pm
2018.07.19-OCC-Final-MInutes.docx 28.2 KB 8/21/2018 7:26 pm
2018.08.09.-OCC-Public-Hearing-minutes.docx 109.9 KB 8/21/2018 7:26 pm
2018.08.09.OCCMInutes.docx 24.3 KB 8/21/2018 7:26 pm
2018.08.16.OCCMinutes-final.docx 18.6 KB 10/1/2018 1:32 am
2018.09.21.OCCMinutes-Final.docx 27.2 KB 11/25/2018 3:53 pm
2018.10.18.OCCMinutes-FINAL.docx 25.6 KB 1/20/2019 10:23 pm
2018.12.06OCC-MinutesDraft.docx 12.8 KB 1/20/2019 10:23 pm
Approved OCC Minutes April 19, 2018.docx 19.1 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
Approved OCC Minutes March 1, 2018.docx 17.6 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
June2018 Final MinutesR0.docx 27.1 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
June2018Draft MinutesR1.docx 28.3 KB 7/1/2018 3:25 pm
OCC Minutes December 21.docx 19.0 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
OCC MinutesAgust2017.docx 21.4 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
OCC MinutesMayof2017.docx 43.3 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
OCC Minutesjulyof2017.docx 21.3 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
OCC Minutesjuneof2017.docx 22.9 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm
~$18.05.24 Approved Minutes OCC.docx 0.2 KB 7/30/2018 6:53 pm

2017 Minutes

OCC Minutes February 2017.docx 23.1 KB 3/27/2017 1:07 pm
OCC Minutes January 2017.docx 22.9 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC MinutesAprilof2017.docx 30.4 KB 5/24/2017 12:42 am
OCC MinutesMarchof2017.docx 32.3 KB 5/24/2017 12:42 am

2016 Minutes

OCC Minutes April 2016 (1).docx 20.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes April 2016 (2).docx 22.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes August 2016.docx 21.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes February 18, 2016 Public Hearing (1).docx 24.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes February 18, 2016 Public Hearing.docx 24.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes February 2016.docx 19.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes January 21, 2016 (1).docx 25.9 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes January 21, 2016 (2).docx 25.9 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes July 7, 2016.doc 31.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes June 2016.docx 18.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes March 2016.docx 21.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes May 2016.docx 21.8 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes November 2016.docx 22.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes October 2016.docx 22.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm
OCC Minutes September 2016.docx 21.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:07 pm

2015 Minutes

OCC August 20, 2015 Public Hearing Minutes.docx 22.8 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes April 2015.docx 18.7 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes August 11, 2015.docx 19.2 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes August 20, 2015.docx 18.4 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes December 2015 (2).docx 23.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes February 2015.docx 20.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes July 2015 (1).docx 20.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes June 2015 (1).docx 20.4 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes March 2015.docx 20.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes May 2015.docx 19.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes November 2015 (1).docx 15.8 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes November 2015.docx 15.8 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes October 1, 2015 LCHIP Site Visit (1).docx 18.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes October 2015 (1).docx 23.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes September 2015.docx 20.4 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes September 23, 2015 (1).docx 17.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm

2014 Minutes

OCC Minutes April 2014 (3).docx 19.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes December 2014.docx 21.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes February 2014.docx 19.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes January 2014.docx 18.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes July 2014.docx 27.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes June 2014.docx 27.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes May 2014.docx 23.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes November 2014.docx 16.8 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes October 2014.docx 17.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes September 2014.docx 27.9 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm

2013 Minutes

OCC Minutes November 2013.docx 20.4 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCC Minutes October 2013.docx 22.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCApril2013.docx 17.7 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCAugust2013.docx 18.1 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCFebruary2013.docx 15.7 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCJuly2013.docx 17.7 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCJune2013.docx 19.7 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCMarch2013.docx 17.3 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCMay2013.docx 22.6 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCSeptember2013.docx 19.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm

2012 Minutes

OCCApril2012.doc 26.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCAugust2012.doc 29.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCDecember2012.doc 27.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCFebruary2012.doc 25.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCJanuary2012.doc 24.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCJuly2012.doc 26.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCJune2012.doc 25.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCMarch2012.doc 23.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCMay2012.doc 29.5 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCNovember2012.doc 27.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCOctober2012.doc 28.0 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm
OCCSeptember2012.docx 15.9 KB 3/26/2017 11:06 pm