LCHIP STAFF
paula bellemore, Executive Director
Paula Bellemore has a deep, personal connection to NH’s heritage — both natural and historic. A seventh generation NH native who spent her childhood playing in the fields of the family’s dairy farm in Hollis, she believes strongly in the important role natural, historic, and cultural resources play in defining our communities and in shaping the lives of those who live near them.
Prior to joining LCHIP in 2014, Bellemore served as the executive director of the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, a regional land trust in south-central New Hampshire, where she worked for more than ten years. Her 25 years of experience in land conservation are balanced by strong administrative and managerial experience gained through a previous career in hospitality management, and a passion for preserving the state’s unique heritage.
George Born, Historic Resources Specialist
George Born grew up in the seacoast area of New Hampshire and southern Maine, where early exposure to the area’s rich historical and architectural legacy nurtured an interest in preservation. He received a bachelor’s degree in art history from Brown University, a master’s in historic preservation from the University of Vermont, and a Ph.D. in American & New England Studies from Boston University.
He has worked at the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC), the Historic Florida Keys Foundation (Key West), and the Providence (RI) Preservation Society. He also taught courses in American architecture and historic preservation at Bridgewater (MA) State University. Additionally, he has served on preservation commissions in Key West, FL, and Somerville, MA, and written articles and books on local history and preservation.
In his free time, he enjoys walking, photography, and traveling.
Neal Bungard, Natural Resources Specialist
Neal grew up exploring and recreating on the wide range of public lands along the Front Range of Colorado, developing a deep appreciation of public open spaces. He earned a Bachelor of Science Forestry degree from the University of New Hampshire and an Associates of Applied Science in Forest Technology from the Thompson School of Applied Science. Shortly after graduating Neal began a 27-year career with the U.S. Forest Service with the 25 of those years in private forest land conservation programs.
Neal currently resides in Strafford with his family, including Peachez the Shih Tzu and Rudy the Chihuahua.
Andrew Chaplin, Natural Resources Steward
Andrew was raised in northwestern Vermont where he developed a strong connection to the outdoors. He earned a BA in Biology from the University of Vermont and has experience as an environmental chemist and biology laboratory instructor. Currently Andrew teaches science at Pinkerton Academy in Derry and spends his summers exploring the LCHIP’s 250,000 acre inventory of conservation land.
Andrew is a resident of Goffstown and serves on the town’s Conservation Commission. In his spare time he enjoys running, hiking and backpacking, and attending to his garden.
Elizabeth Colburn, Historic Resources Specialist
Elizabeth spent the first 18 years of her life living in Northwood, enjoying the benefits of living midway between Portsmouth and Concord. Elizabeth earned a BA in History from Keene State College and an MS in Building Conservation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After graduate school Elizabeth returned to the lakes region, where she lives with her husband and two children.
In her free time Elizabeth enjoys walking, biking, reading, working in the garden, and hosting elaborate parties to celebrate even the smallest event or milestone.