Squam Environmental Preservation Fund - Squam Lake New Hampshire

Squam Environmental Preservation Fund

In 1997, in honor of our Centennial, the board of directors of Rockywold Deephaven Camps authorized the creation of a charitable endowment dedicated to the protection of the Squam Lakes watershed.

The Squam Environmental Preservation Fund (SEPF) is managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) as a donor-advised fund. RDC makes annual donations to NHCF for distribution of endowment earnings. Contributions to SEPF are tax-deductible.

The Squam Environmental Preservation Fund makes annual grants to organizations and initiatives that are working to:

Maintain and improve water quality.
Prevent and eradicate invasive plants, such as milfoil.
Protect loon and other wildlife habitats.
Encourage low-power and non-power boating.
Purchase conservation land for permanent protection and managed public use.
Provide environmental education about Squam Lake New Hampshire.
Conduct scientific research to advance any of the above objectives.



Click below to donate to the:

Squam Environmental Preservation Fund

Squam Lake New Hampshire
using our secure website.

Visa, MasterCard, and Discover accepted!

Please Note: A Qualified Charitable Donation (QCD) transfer from an IRA account will be taxed as income to the donor, even though the gift to the NH Charitable Foundation for the Squam Environmental Preservation Fund (SEPF) will be tax-deductible.

RDC Charitable Giving

The Squam Environmental Preservation Fund (SEPF) is a way for the RDC community to make tax-deductible gifts that support the long term conservation of the lake we all love. The SEPF makes grants to promote the natural beauty and ecological health of the Squam Lakes watershed. Since the creation of this fund, the SEPF has awarded 40 grants totaling $287,500.

Please see the SEPF Grant History below. You can make a contribution by mail or online here.

The SEPF fund is managed for RDC by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation as a donor designated fund. The RDC Board makes grant recommendations which advance SEPF goals. A history of SEPF grants are posted below. RDC annually contributes 5% of our Store and Zodiac revenue to the SEPF fund.

RDC also contributes 5% of its net income annually to local non-profit environmental, community-related related charities.

Amey Bailey

Chair, RDC Environmental and Community Affairs Committee

SEPF - Grant History

2024

Squam Lakes Association was awarded $20,000 for Capital Campaign with emphasis on improving water quality and lake monitoring.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $20,000 for Squam Lake loon and water quality initiatives. This initiative supports loon monitoring, study or survival and reproductive success of Squam's loons, causes of nest failures, loon rescues and bird banding.

2023

Squam Lakes Association was awarded $10,000 to restore the Old Bridle Path to West Rattlesnake.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 for the Squam Lake loon and water quality initiative.
Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $10,000 to secure land in the Squam Lake watershed for the protection of the natural environment.

2022

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 to continue its long-term research focus on the health of loons nesting on Squam Lake.
Squam Lakes Association was awarded $10,000 to fund the Student Conservation Association crew that stabilized severely eroded sections on the Old Bridle Path near the top of West Rattlesnake.
The Squam Lakes Science Center was awarded $5,000 to support a solar power project aiming to offset much of the Science Center's electric needs.

2021

NH Audubon was awarded $6,000 to help build their larger MOTUS regional tracking network that can track individual birds, butterflies, and bats as they migrate.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 for the Squam Lake Loon Initiative.

2020

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 to help continue its long-term research focused on loon mortality on Squam Lake.
Squam Lake Natural Science Center was awarded $10,000 for its Education Matters Capital Campaign.

2019

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 to help continue the long-term Loon study on Squam Lake.

2018

Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $10,000 for the Eastman Brook Preserve Project.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 for the Squam Lake Loon Initiative.
Squam Archive Center was awarded $5,000 to preserve Squam's unique heritage.

2017

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 to help continue the long-term Loon study on Squam Lake.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was awarded $10,000 for the new lake cruise headquarters project.

2016

The Friends of the Holderness Free Library were awarded $5,000 for the campaign for the Holderness Free Library.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $10,000 to help continue the long-term Loon study on Squam Lake.

2015

Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $10,000 for the Allen Preserve Project.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $5,000 to help continue the long-term Loon study on Squam Lake.

2014

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $5,000 to help continue the long-term Loon study on Squam Lake.

2012

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $5,000 for Loon research.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was awarded $10,000 for the Nature Matters capital campaign.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $5,000 for the Squam Lakes Loon Initiative.

2009

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $2,500 for continuing an ongoing research project into loon mortality.
Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $1,500 for the Squam National Registry Project.

2008

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was awarded $2,500 for their June 2008 Squam Range "Bio Blitz" inventory of plant and animal life.

2007

Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $4,000 in support of the research study.
The Center for the Environment at Plymouth State University was awarded $2,500 to support the second annual New Hampshire Water Conference on April 16, 2008 as well as a graduate environmental internship in the summer of 2008.
Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $5,000 for the purchase of a conservation easement on the 97 acre Dwyer property.
Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $3,000 for the loon mortality and reproductive failure research project.

2006

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was awarded $2,500 to improve the Hubbard Brook Exhibit and underwrite the 2006 summer lecture series.
The Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $1,500 for the production of loon nesting signs on Squam Lakes.
Squam Lakes Conservation Society was awarded $4,000 to support the campaign to protect the Koenig Forest Conservation Area.
Lakes Region Conservation Trust was awarded $10,000 for conservation of the Burleigh Land Limited Partnership Property in the Squam Range.

2004

- Loon Preservation Committee was awarded $1,500 for a new display about loons and the LPC's work to protect loons.
- Center for the Environment, Plymouth State University was awarded $2,000 to organize a conference for all regional and state scientists and environmentalists working to study, preserve and protect the natural resources around our lakes.
- Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was awarded $4,000 to support construction of a hands-on display at the Science Center's Mead Gallery and to support the 2005 lecture series.