Head Of Natural And Cultural Resources In New Hampshire To Resign At Term's End

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org, InDepth NH

CONCORD, NH — Sarah Stewart, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, told InDepthNH.org Monday she will serve out her term and resign when it ends next June.

Appointed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu in 2018, she has served a department with a $70 million annual budget and 1,000 employees but was forced to make massive cuts to staffing and programming as part of the current biennial budget passed by Republicans in the House and Senate in June.

Stewart, a Republican, has held a job in which she oversees more than 220,000 acres of public land, as well as significant public assets, including 870 buildings and essential infrastructure like bridges, dams, and roads and state parks operations.

In addition, her work involves oversight of the state library and cultural resources, the arts and historic preservation. The department is a largely self-funded model supported largely by user fees, and has been able to showcase effective fiscal management and sustainability which is unique in state governments across the country.

Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, said: "As Commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, she has been an exceptional steward of the Granite State’s most treasured assets.

"Under her leadership, the Department has overseen 76 State Parks, 15 Historic Sites, a network of State Beaches and pristine lakes, 300 miles of rail trails — including the Flume Gorge, which I had the pleasure of riding just last Sunday — and 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails. Commissioner Stewart’s vision and commitment have improved accessibility throughout these areas, ensuring that more residents and visitors, including those with disabilities, can experience New Hampshire’s natural beauty.

"Her work to strengthen historic preservation has been especially meaningful in my district, particularly at Fort Stark, and I applaud her unwavering support for the arts through the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. By prioritizing our state’s cultural resources, she has reinforced the unique identity and spirit of our communities.

"Commissioner Stewart also made effective use of federal relief funds to make significant improvements across the State Park System — from enhancing online reservations to protecting our state forests — ensuring these public resources remain strong for generations to come," Stevens said.

Stewart was reappointed by Sununu in June 2022 for a second four-year term. In her Linkedin profile she writes, "I continue to advance initiatives in the arts, achieving significant increases in state funding that benefit hundreds of artists and cultural organizations. My focus also includes bolstering economic vitality through the creative economy, which has contributed billions to the state’s gross product. Key priorities during my tenure include historic preservation and the development of a modern, climate-controlled facility to protect the invaluable treasures housed in our State Library."

In her letter to Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte dated Nov. 7, she said it is her intent to "conclude my service as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources on June 2, 2026, at the end of my current term. After eight years in this role, I have decided to return to private practice and will not seek reappointment."

"Serving as Commissioner has been a privilege. During this period, DNCR has strengthened its stewardship of the State's natural, cultural and historic assets; modernized operations; expanded partnerships; and continued to deliver statewide value with one of the smallest General Fund allotments in New Hampshire state government."

She said the staff of the department has demonstrated a deep commitment to its public service and she wanted to give adequate time for the governor and council to "identify a successor who can prepare for the next biennium and ensure continuity of operations."

She said she looks forward to working and maintaining the highest standard of service during that transition period and supporting a "smooth transition."

In an email to her staff Monday morning she wrote, "I wanted you to hear this news from me personally, as each of you plays a vital role in what makes this Department so exceptional.

"Serving as your Commissioner has been the privilege of a lifetime. Together, we’ve built a department that is creative, resilient, and deeply committed to the people and places that make New Hampshire extraordinary. Over the past eight years, we have strengthened the DNCR's stewardship of the state’s natural, cultural, and historical treasures, modernized our systems, and built partnerships that extend the impact of our work across New Hampshire. None of that would have been possible without your talent, dedication, and heart.

"I want to emphasize that nothing changes in the months ahead. I remain fully engaged in our work and committed to supporting you and the Department through a thoughtful, professional transition. There is still much to do—and much to celebrate.

"I am profoundly proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished together. Thank you for your daily commitment to the people and places that make New Hampshire extraordinary."

A resident of Manchester with her husband and three young children, Stewart serves in the community and is a commissioner on the board of Amoskeag Industries and as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Mount Saint Mary Academy, New Hampshire's oldest Catholic school.
She holds a degree in American History from the University of Vermont.

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