New Center Opens To Focus On Protecting Newfound Watershed

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH

People gathering at the grand opening of the Grey Rocks Conservation Center in Hebron Thursday. Paula Tracy photo

HEBRON, NH — A space dedicated to connecting the Newfound Lake community with the watershed opened officially on Thursday, complete with a laboratory to test water for cyanobacteria and other threats that may come in a changing climate.

The grand opening of the Grey Rocks Conservation Center was attended by many like Martha Twombly of Hebron who said it is a "long time dream" that has come true for those that love the lake, one of the state's largest and clearest water bodies.

It kicked off a few days of activities including free mini EcoTour boat rides on Saturday.

The land was donated to the organization in 2011 and many contributed to the $2 million structure which is next to a free boat launch for canoes and kayaks and a series of walking trails on the north end of Newfound Lake.

Twombly, who is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Newfound Lake Region Association, said the goal of the building is not only to provide for an education center and gathering space, but for offices for the NLRA and a testing facility for water.

The building is designed for energy efficiency and models sustainable building practices.

The vision of the organization is to improve environmental health of the watershed, expand land conservation around it, grow watershed stewardship, increase community support and boost the organization's capacity to protect and improve the health of the lake.

Right now, Twombly said, the lake has never had a case of cyanobacteria, though many surrounding lakes, including Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake saw blooms last summer.

Above, water testing can be done at the new center. Paula Tracy photo

Rebecca Hanson, executive director of the organization, wrote in its spring/summer 2025 newsletter that "as Newfound faces real and growing threats from stormwater pollution and invasive aquatic species, the Grey Rocks Conservation Center provides resilience in the face of climate change and development pressure. The Center provides the critically needed space to allow us to work to protect the lake and watershed," she wrote.

Construction began last summer and Sippican Partners Construction was the general contractor for the structure, which is located on the site of the former Newfound Marine at 178 North Shore Road in Hebron.

The grand opening celebration continues Friday and into Saturday. On Friday, there will be activity stations for kids from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., two guided conservation center tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and at 11 a.m. a guided trail walk. On Saturday, there will again be activity stations for kids from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., guided conservation center tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., mini ecotour boat rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a guided trail walk 11 a.m.

For more information visit https://newfoundlake.org/.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.