The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Northeast Office in Boston will launch a major new preservation field services program this spring to help New Hampshire communities advance historic preservation projects. Thanks to a two-year grant of $230,000 from Jane's Trust, these two leading preservation organizations will make seasoned preservation experts available to provide historic preservation help to communities throughout the Granite State.

"This grant from Jane's Trust serves as a major catalyst to expand our services to communities, in partnership with the National Trust," said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. "It will enable us to meet the growing demand for help to guide development and save irreplaceable landmarks, such as the farms, religious landmarks, grange halls, old mills, and waterfront properties which are such important aspects of our state's special character and vitality."

The field services partnership between the National Trust and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is modeled after similar partnerships between the Trust and Statewide Partners in Connecticut, Vermont, Michigan and Indiana.

"Through generous funding from Jane's Trust, we are delighted that New Hampshire will have a program which has made such a difference to community preservation efforts in Vermont and Connecticut. The addition of New Hampshire to our network of field service professionals brings us closer to our goal of making preservation assistance more accessible in all states in the Northeast region," said Wendy Nicholas, director of the Northeast Office of the National Trust.

The Field Services Program will build on current, successful New Hampshire Preservation Alliance and National Trust programs and resources to support and encourage preservation of New Hampshire's many historic places and provide information, advice and small grants, workshops, and new networks of advocates for historic preservation.

A related project goal is to increase citizens' understanding of preservation tools such as historic resources surveys, easements, National Register status, heritage and historic district commissions, and tax incentives.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the statewide organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, communities and landscapes through leadership, education and advocacy. Current priorities include providing training and technical assistance to community leaders as well as promoting barn preservation, the use of easements and funding for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. A recent $300,000 challenge by two New Hampshire couples has advanced its Irreplaceable Assets campaign for three endowed preservation funds. For more information, visit the Alliance website at www.nhpreservation.org.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 28 historic sites work with the Trust's 270,000 members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. The Northeast Office in Boston and Field Office in Philadelphia serve ten states, from Maine to Delaware. For more information, visit the Trust's web site at www.nationaltrust.org.

Jane's Trust makes grants in northern New England, Massachusetts and Florida. The fund's trustees are particularly interested in supporting collaborations among nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, and environment.