Open Space Funding in New Hampshire Nears Final Hurdle

The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), New Hampshire’s only state-wide funding program to protect important open spaces and our cultural heritage, has had a rough few years. Five years ago a dedicated LCHIP funding source--a $25 fee paid on document recording at the county registries of deeds--was put in place. Since then, the state legislature has repeatedly raided LCHIP’s dedicated funding. As House and Senate conferees begin negotiating a final state budget for the next two years, LCHIP is positioned to see its dedicated funding source fully restored.

The Senate’s version of the budget passed last week would fully restore LCHIP’s dedicated fund, ending all diversion of LCHIP fees to the state’s general fund. The House version of the budget passed earlier this spring partially restores LCHIP’s dedicated fund, but still diverts $3 million to fund general government. The question now is whether the Senate position on LCHIP or the House position will make it into the final budget. This question must be answered, along with all other outstanding issues, by Thursday, June 20th. The time is now to reach out to your elected officials one last time on LCHIP. Please call, write, or email your state representatives and senator in support of full funding for LCHIP in the biennial budget!

"AMC Outdoors" Magazine Wins EXCEL Gold Award

The Midas touch: AMC Outdoors wins an EXCEL Gold Award for last spring’s “Beyond the Forest” story featuring Tom Wessels – congrats! The EXCEL Awards “honor the best and the brightest in Association Media & Publishing."

Travel the World with AMC's Adventure Travel Program!

Photo courtesy of Jon Christensen

3 Trips in 1: Backpacking the Rainforest, Coast and Mountains of Olympic National Park

Backpackers will navigate tides and headlands on the beach, explore temperate rainforest, scale mountains and a hot springs soak rewards the effort. Campgrounds, hostel and 1 night in Seattle hotel. For experienced backpackers capable of 3,000’ climb. $1,295 plus ~$400-$500 airfare, inc. trans., lodging, fees, all breakfasts and dinners.

For more information, or to view the other Adventure Travel trips we offer click here >>

The White Mountain Hiker Shuttle is Now Open!

Running now until September 9th, the hiker shuttle connects you to the entire AMC Lodge and Hut system in the White Mountains.

Did you know you can hook up with AMC’s hiker shuttle from Boston? Go car-free on your next trip to the White Mountains! Learn more >>

Join AMC's Kids Outdoors Online Community for Your Chance to Win Great Prizes

Join Kids Outdoors, AMC’s free online community for Boston, NYC — and now Philly parents! Sign up by June 11th >> and you’re automatically entered to win great prizes, like a Deuter child carrier or backpack and L.L.Bean kids’ outerwear!

Meet Dawna Blackstone

Dawna Blackstone was born and raised in the Greenville area of Maine, where her dad was a game warden, and she’s never wandered too far from its woods and waters. As a school health coordinator and part-time health teacher in Greenville, she has helped her students learn about the natural beauty around them, bringing groups to the nearby AMC lodges to hike, swim, canoe, and camp in cabins. So when AMC wanted help getting more Maine kids outdoors, she was a perfect choice for the job.

Read more >>

Ask Your Senator to Vote Yes on HB 306!

NH has always stepped up when it comes to cleaning up our air. We need to continue that leadership by passing HB 306, which will keep NH as one of the nine states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The NH Senate will be voting on this bill Thursday, May 23rd, so please contact your senators today and ask them to vote YES on HB 306.

The RGGI program works to reduces carbon pollution from power plants and promotes energy efficiency and clean energy investments. All RGGI states agreed that the program could be successfully strengthened by reducing the pollution level limit. The next step is for the NH legislature to approve HB 306 and keep our state as a leader in reducing air pollution and strengthening our clean energy future.

The NH Senate is expected to vote on HB 306 this week and they need to hear from you that they should vote YES.

Call your NH State Senator today at the capital switchboard at (603) 271-1110.