Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Checheco Community Preserve is located in Dover, New Hampshire, spanning over a diverse landscape that features forests, wetlands, and riverine ecosystems centered around the Little Bay tributaries feeding into the Piscataqua River watershed. This preserve serves both as a vital wildlife habitat and a recreational area for locals and visitors. The terrain includes accessible trails that wind through mixed hardwood forests, low-lying marshes, and riparian zones, offering opportunities for birdwatching and observing native flora and fauna. Historically, the preserve’s land was part of indigenous territories and later utilized for small-scale agriculture and milling operations; today it functions as a protected green space aimed at conservation and community engagement. Visitors enjoy hiking and walking along well-maintained paths, practicing photography of the rich landscape, and spotting a variety of species such as eastern box turtles, great blue herons, and migrating songbirds. Educational signage throughout some trailheads provides insight into the ecological importance of the area and its role in local water quality protection. Its proximity to Dover makes it a convenient natural retreat that supports environmental stewardship and outdoor learning in an urban-adjacent setting.
