A new report from eight environmental and conservation groups maintains that open space contributes more than $8 billion annually in economic output in New Hampshire through its connection to forestry, agriculture, tourism and outdoor recreation.

Contributors ranged from the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions and the New Hampshire Audubon Society to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association.

“This report highlight that the benefits open space provides in New Hampshire are many and varied,” said Matt Leahy public policy manager with the forest society, Tuesday during a briefing with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Primrose Research Group, a Portland, Maine-based firm, authored it.

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