A NH Legacy of Environmental Stewardship

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Wayne D. King's podcast NH Secrets, Legends and Lore.


 A Conversation with Dr. Larry Spencer, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Plymouth State University

Dr. Larry T. Spencer

Listen here:https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/nSePOOSKY/media

It was a bit of serendipity that brought Dr. Larry Spencer and his wife Eleanor to New Hampshire in the late 60’s. What he expected to be a brief detour to New Hampshire from his home stomping grounds in the West, turned out to be a love story that blossomed into an environmental legacy here in the Granite State over the course of a lifetime.

From his earliest days charting his early morning walks to class by the rank smells emitted by the Pemigewasset River to its rebirth as a protected river under the NH River’s Protection and Management act Larry has employed science and activism throughout his life to create an environmental legacy – not only for himself but for Plymouth State University.

His latest project, the Pemigewasset Riverside Park and Gyro Bike park is a collaboration between both private individuals, Plymouth State University and the communities of Holderness, Plymouth and Ashland as well as several local clubs. Led by Spencer and Dr. Lisa Doner, as well as the Conservation Commissions from the collaborating towns, this conservation effort provides a wide range of recreational opportunities from hiking, swimming at “Secret Beach” to birding, snowmobiling and mountain biking.

Both Dr. Spencer and Dr. Donor have for years been running cleanup trips along both the Pemigewasset and Baker Rivers as well as providing volunteer time and brainpower to the task of helping to create a sustainable future for these two beautiful rivers.

I caught up with Larry Spencer recently and spoke with him about his legacy and finding time in his busy retirement. 

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