UNH Extension

Support UNH Cooperative Extension

At UNH Cooperative Extension, we are dedicated to making life better in New Hampshire. As part of the University of New Hampshire, we extend the University's research and resources to communities across the state. Our mission is to provide practical, research-based information and programs that empower individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive.

Our Approach

We believe in the power of education and community engagement. Our team of friendly, knowledgeable experts is committed to providing accessible, trustworthy information and support. Whether you're looking to improve your garden, start a business, or enhance your community, Extension is here to help.

By giving to The (603) Challenge, you are investing in the future of New Hampshire. Your support helps us continue our mission to create a thriving, sustainable state. Together, we can make a difference.

Support Our Volunteer Programs

Volunteers are the heart of UNH Extension. Their dedication and passion enable us to extend our reach and impact across New Hampshire. By supporting our volunteer programs during The (603) Challenge, you can help us provide the resources and training our volunteers need to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Why Your Support Matters

• Empower Volunteers: Your contributions help us offer comprehensive training and resources to our volunteers, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve their communities effectively.
• Enhance Program Quality: Donations allow us to develop and improve our volunteer programs, making them more impactful and sustainable.
• Expand Our Reach: With your support, we can recruit and retain more volunteers, extending our services to more individuals and communities across New Hampshire.

Focus Areas

Our work spans several key areas, each critical to the well-being and prosperity of New Hampshire's communities. Your support in these areas ensures that we can continue to provide valuable resources, education, and services to those who need them most.

General Extension Funds

UNH Extension

Staff Professional Development

Cooperative Extension Staff Development Fund

Student Internships

Dean's Fund for Career and Professional Success

Program Areas

4-H

Community and Economic Development

Food and Agriculture

Health and Well-Being

Natural Resources

Volunteer Programs

Coastal Research Volunteers

The Coastal Research Volunteer (CRV) program engages volunteers in meaningful citizen science and stewardship to enhance local coastal research. They provide important information to evaluate climate change and water quality health in the area. They’re on the front lines of pressing environmental issues important to the state—monitoring the phenology of rockweed and green crabs, collecting blue mussels, analyzing pollution and gathering beach erosion data.

Support CRV

Education Center

The Education Center Volunteer Program currently includes incredible UNH Extension volunteers that have participated in one or two of the following UNHCE volunteer programs: Master Gardeners Program, Natural Resources Stewards Program. UNHCE Education Center volunteers are essential in supporting the UNH Extension Yard & Garden Infoline—a free service established in 2001 to assist residential clients with their unique yard & garden questions—as well as diverse outreach efforts throughout the state. The ECVP is growing, and this (603) Challenge will help fund future continuing education workshops for EC volunteers, volunteer appreciation events, and a new volunteer track to expand access of this unique volunteer opportunity beyond folks with MG and NRS backgrounds.

Support UNHCE

Lakes Lay Monitoring

Through the Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, UNH scientists, students and over 250 seasonal and year-round volunteers participate in collecting water quality measurements in over 40 lakes all across New Hampshire. This data helps inform the decision-making of towns and lake associations to mitigate problems, improve water quality and protect residents and visitors. Volunteers inform their neighbors and local public officials on their lake’s conditions and best stewardship practices, leading to improvements like a reduction in stormwater runoff and fertilizer applications.

Support LLMP

UNH Marine Docent Program

The UNH Marine Docent Program mission is to "provide a lens through which the marine and associated environments can be viewed, understood and appreciated by people of all ages." Docents present a variety of educational programs that provide a link between the University's research community and the public. Docents teach marine science to students in schools, on boats and at camps, adults in community groups and organizations, and at public events. Marine docent boat builders help families build small sailboats over a three-day weekend. Docents also lead public tours on the UNH Research Vessel Gulf Challenger, into Great Bay and out to Appledore Island.

Support Marine Docents

Natural Resources Stewards & NH Big Trees

Natural Resource Stewards are people of all ages and walks of life who love New Hampshire’s outdoors. They volunteer to help our trees and parks, forests and fields, plants and pollinators. In 1950, the NH Big Tree Program began in an effort to find, record and recognize magnificent individual trees. Volunteers search the state for the largest examples of tree species; the list of recorded trees now includes over a thousand county, state and national champions.

Support Natural Resource Stewards & NH Big Trees

Nature Groupie

Nature Groupie makes it easy for more people to volunteer for nature. We all love getting outside, hiking on trails and enjoying outdoor places, but those places need our help too; trees need to be planted, wildlife needs to be monitored, and trash needs to be cleared. Nature Groupie connects volunteers to these projects, and since 2013 more than 7,000 people have helped restore salt marshes, counted amphibians, pulled invasive plants, built trails and much more.

Support Nature Groupie

NH Coverts Project

The NH Coverts Project trains volunteers from a broad array of backgrounds and professions who are passionate about wildlife conservation and forest stewardship. After the training, volunteers return to their communities as stewards of NH’s wildlife and forest resources where they take on projects that fit their skills and interests such as leading field walks, coordinating volunteer workdays, serving on town boards or managing their own property for wildlife habitat.

Support NH Coverts

NH Master Gardeners

The UNH Extension Master Gardener Program provides in-depth, science-based training for volunteers who want to share gardening knowledge with the public. Master Gardener volunteers use their skills and passion to teach children where their food comes from, enhance habitat for pollinators, provide fresh produce for people who face food insecurity, engage those with special needs through therapeutic gardening, and much more. This work of building partnerships between people, plants and places is powerful and transformative. Funds from the 603 Challenge will broaden the Master Gardener program reach and impact.

Support Master Gardeners

New Hampshire 4-H

4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. The NH 4-H program helps youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. Central to the success of NH 4-H are the dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and expertise. These volunteers, alongside professional 4-H youth development educators located in each of New Hampshire’s 10 counties, provide invaluable guidance and support. They mentor youth in areas such as STEM, healthy living, agriculture, and citizenship, fostering environments where young people can thrive and take on leadership roles. The commitment and passion of our volunteers are what truly drive the impact of NH 4-H. Support NH 4-H now!

Support NH 4-H now!