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Support UNH Cooperative Extension
At UNH Cooperative Extension, we are dedicated to making life better in New Hampshire. As part of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, 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 Student Interns
Student interns play a vital role in advancing the mission of Extension. As emerging professionals, they work alongside Extension specialists and educators to deliver research‑based programs that meet the needs of New Hampshire’s communities while gaining invaluable, hands‑on experience.
By supporting student internships during The (603) Challenge, you help ensure UNH students have access to meaningful, paid learning opportunities that prepare them for careers in agriculture, food systems, community development, education, environmental stewardship, and public service.
Why Your Support Matters
Expand Access to Experiential Learning: Your gift helps remove financial barriers so more students can participate in Extension internships, regardless of their background or major. These experiences allow students to apply classroom learning to real‑world challenges across New Hampshire
Prepare the Next Generation of Leaders: Internships with Extension build practical skills, professional confidence, and a strong sense of civic responsibility, preparing students for impactful careers that serve communities statewide.
Strengthen Extension’s Reach Across New Hampshire: With the support of our donors, Extension can deliver more programs, reach new audiences, and respond to emerging community needs, expanding the impact of our work throughout the state.
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
Staff Professional Development
Cooperative Extension Staff Development Fund
Student Internships
Dean's Fund for Career and Professional Success
Program Areas
Community and Economic Development
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.
Extension Education Center Volunteer Program
The UNH Extension Education Center Volunteer Program plays a vital role in supporting the UNH Extension Yard & Garden Infoline – a free service established in 2001 to assist residential home gardeners with their diverse yard & garden questions – along with outreach efforts throughout the state. Our Education Center Volunteer Program continues to grow and currently welcomes dedicated UNH Extension volunteers with backgrounds in programs such as the Master Gardeners Program and Natural Resources Stewards Program.
With your support during this year's (603) Challenge, we plan to:
🌟 Expand continuing education opportunities for Education Center volunteers
🌟 Host meaningful Education Center volunteer appreciation events
🌟 Invest in newly crafted EC volunteer track to broaden access beyond solely MG and NRS volunteer backgrounds
Your support will directly strengthen our ability to continue our mission of “𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑒” for communities statewide.
Support Extension Education Center Volunteer Program
Lakes Lay Monitoring Program
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.
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. Docents also lead public tours on the UNH Research Vessel Gulf Challenger, into Great Bay and out to Appledore Island.
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 12,000 people have helped restore salt marshes, counted amphibians, pulled invasive plants, built trails and much more.
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.
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.
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!
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