Habitat Management

Why Do Habitat Management?
Some habitats require disturbances to maintain their unique characteristics. By managing the land, we can mimic natural disturbances in places where the disturbance has been eliminated or diminished. Prescribed burning, mowing, timber harvesting, removing non-native species, and planting native species are all management practices that in some way mimic natural process or help maintain plant diversity. Prescribed burning mimics natural fires started by lightning. Mowing and forest cutting can help promote early successional habitats that would naturally occur after floods, beaver impoundments, hurricanes, storms, or insect infestations. While these natural disturbances still occur today, they generally occur at a much smaller scale, especially in heavily developed areas. Learn More...

Watch a short video about managing your land for wildlife habitat in New Hampshire

	Management of Open Habitats Grassland Habitats Shrubland Habitats New Extension Research: Exotic Shrubs, Caterpillars, and Shrubland Birds New England cottontail rabbits - Management American woodcock Management Wildlife Habitat Improvement: Farmlands & Wildlife - fact Sheet
	Management of Wetland Habitats Peatlands Habitats Marsh & Shrub Wetlands Habitats Vernal Pool Habitats Wildlife Habitat Improvement: Wetlands & Wildlife - fact Sheet Protecting & Enhancing Shorelands for Wildlife - fact Sheet Your Backyard: Helping Amphibians & Reptiles - brochure
	Management of Forested Habitats Floodplain Forests Lowland Spruce-Fir Forests Appalachian Oak-Pine Forests Wildlife Habitat Improvement: Woodlands & Wildlife - fact Sheet Restoring Old-Growth Characteristics - brochure
	Improving Habitat for Hunting Whitetail deer Ruffed grouse American woodcock General Information about Hunting in NH - links to NH Fish & Game	Hunting in NH - Fish & Game

Financial Help for Landowners - Cost-Share Programs
Learn about federal and state financial assistance programs which can help pay landowners for practices that benefit wildlife such as delayed mowing of fields, creating shrublands, making forest openings, and removal of invasive species.

Other Habitat Management Information
New Hampshire’s Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines with Wildlife Value

Good Forestry in the Granite State
Good Forestry in the Granite State, revised in 2010, provides extensive guidance for foresters and landowners about management considerations related to wildlife and habitat.

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