About
Historic Ossipee Lake Natural Area
Rare and endangered plants bloom on its shoreline where mysterious streams of colored water seep from the earth and create pockets of what feels like quicksand.
Four of its five natural communities are rare in New Hampshire, and one of them is found nowhere else. Inland, bears, foxes and eagles roam where archeologists say the area’s first humans settled.
The N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) designated the 400-acre Ossipee Lake Natural Area site as “one of the State’s most valuable assets in terms of its natural and cultural resources.” But for years the property was an orphan - unmanaged, targeted for development, unknowingly damaged by boaters.
Now, on the 40th anniversary of the State’s purchase of the property the Natural Area has a management plan that balances recreation with preservation, with a portion of the shoreline open to boaters and the remainder of the property closed for recovery and rejuvenation.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Your Help is Needed
The success of the Natural Area management plan is dependent on public awareness and cooperation. Please read our special summer 2009 issue of Ossipee Lake Report, which was written by members of the Working Group who helped craft the final version of the plan.
You can also help by posting comments here on this website. Tell us and the DRED Working Group how you think the plan is working and what can be done better in the coming months as we continue to refine the document and the operating strategy.
About Us
The Friends of Historic Ossipee Lake Natural Area is a group sponsored by Ossipee Lake Alliance and supported by residents of Ossipee Lake, the conservation commissions of Ossipee and Effingham and other groups and individuals, including many boaters.
You can help support our efforts by sending a tax-deductible contribution in any amount payable to Ossipee Lake Alliance, P.O. Box 173, Freedom NH 03836. Businesses and non-profit organizations should contact us at info@ossipeelake.org.
Ossipee Lake Alliance is a 501(c)(3) New Hampshire corporation with a website at www.ossipeelake.org.
Updated 6.20.09
June 19th, 2009 at 3:37 am
As a long time boater, I am hoping for the best with the new plan. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!
June 21st, 2009 at 5:09 am
This plan makes sense given what was going on there. I kayak there and it’s great there’s a place for kayaks and canoes to stop so we can stretch and rest.
July 4th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Today is the 4th of July 2010 and the most westerly beach in the natural area is crowded with people on the sand and using the woods to relieve themselves. Two of the boat registrations are 5489AI and 7795AR. These two boats, and the 2-3 others with them whose registrations I did not get, are clearly violating the state law enacted to protect these beaches. Where are the citizens from the boating community who were trying to educate fellow boaters?