The Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) honored Bob Craycraft with its 2026 Founders' Award during the organization's Annual Meeting on June 27, recognizing his nearly four decades of partnership with NLRA and his lasting contributions to water quality monitoring and lake conservation in the Newfound Watershed and across New Hampshire.
The award presentation coincided with another significant milestone: the 40th anniversary of NLRA's water quality monitoring program, one of New Hampshire's longest-running volunteer lake monitoring efforts.
Established in 1986 by dedicated volunteers, NLRA's monitoring program was built on the belief that protecting Newfound Lake begins with understanding it. Over the past four decades, thousands of water quality measurements collected by volunteers, staff, and scientific partners have provided an invaluable record of the lake's health, helping guide conservation decisions, identify emerging threats, and ensure Newfound remains one of New Hampshire's cleanest lakes.
Craycraft, Lakes Monitoring Program Coordinator for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension's Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, has been a cornerstone of that effort since 1989.
For nearly 40 years, he has supported NLRA's monitoring program through scientific expertise, technical guidance, and mentorship. His work has helped shape the Newfound Watershed Management Plan, nutrient and water budgets for the lake, water quality targets, and countless conservation initiatives. He has also trained generations of NLRA staff and volunteers, ensuring that the organization's monitoring program continues to produce reliable, high-quality data.
"Bob has been an extraordinary partner to NLRA for nearly four decades," said Rebecca Hanson, Executive Director of the Newfound Lake Region Association. "His knowledge, generosity, and commitment to lake science have strengthened our monitoring program and helped us better understand and protect Newfound Lake. The Founders' Award is a fitting recognition of his tremendous impact on our organization and on lake conservation throughout New Hampshire."
The NLRA Founders' Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose service, leadership, philanthropy, or scientific contributions have significantly advanced the conservation and preservation of the Newfound Lake Watershed.
Craycraft's influence extends far beyond Newfound Lake. Through the UNH Cooperative Extension Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, he has supported volunteer monitoring efforts throughout New Hampshire, helping communities collect dependable scientific data that informs lake management and stewardship across the state.
The award was presented by Rich Radimer, son of long-time NLRA volunteer Milt Radimer, who helped establish NLRA's early water quality monitoring program and was the first recipient of the Founders' Award. The presentation highlighted the enduring legacy of the organization's founders and the importance of long-term scientific monitoring in protecting New Hampshire's lakes.
In accepting the award, Craycraft said he was deeply honored by the recognition and emphasized that the success of Newfound's water quality monitoring program has always depended on the dedication of the many volunteers and community members who have contributed their time and expertise over the past four decades.
"Forty years of continuous monitoring is an incredible achievement," Hanson said. "Long-term data allows us to understand how Newfound Lake changes over time, distinguish natural variation from emerging threats, and make informed conservation decisions. We are grateful to Bob and to the many volunteers who have made this work possible."
The Newfound Lake Region Association protects and improves the health of the Newfound Lake Watershed. Through science-based conservation, water quality monitoring, land conservation, education, and community engagement, NLRA works to ensure the watershed remains healthy and resilient for future generations. Learn more at NewfoundLake.org.