February 2008 Archives
Malin Clyde wrote:
Coverts Cooperators & Friends,
I have quite a few updates and announcements for you this month. Enjoy!Malin
New Publications:
1. Coverts Cooperators will be receiving (in the mail) 4 new brochures in the "Wildlife Action Plan Habitat Stewardship Series." The brochures provide identification and stewardship recommendations for 4 different critical habitats: Grasslands, Marsh & Shrub Wetlands, Floodplain Forests, and Vernal Pools. Please share them with other landowners and those in the conservation community (more about how to spread the word will come with the brochures!). They are also available to print from the web: www.nhcoverts.org
2. UNH Cooperative Extension has recently published an exciting new book, "Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead." It is a full-cover, beautifully illustrated reference book that integrates ecology and wildlife with gardening in New Hampshire. Cost is $20. Great for backyard gardeners, community landscapes and businesses. An order form is available online at: http://extension.unh.edu/Pubs/Pubs.htm
New Websites:
1. Cooperative Extension's "Forest and Trees" webpage has a new name: www.NHWoods.org
Please share with others this new (easy to remember and find!) site, where landowners can research publications, facts, contact professionals, etc. on the topics of forests, wildlife, and trees.
2. Cornell University Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a web seminar series called "Managing Your Woodlot for Old-Growth Forest Features." Recent (live) presentations are archived on their "ForestConnect" webpage, and you can register to participate in upcoming live presentations on this topic in coming months. They have excellent speakers, and participation is free! Go to: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/web.htm
3. The US Forest Service has several publications newly available on their website: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/stewardship/pubs/pubs.shtm including:
"Group Selection Cutting - Education for Landowners"
Upcoming Workshops
1. Introduction to a Careful Timber Harvest
Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (snow date March 8), Howard Tree Farm, Croydon/Grantham
Join us for a late winter forestry workshop at the site of an active timber harvest. How are trees selected, marked and cut during timber harvesting operations? What are typical price ranges for timber depending on tree species, quality, products, access to viable markets and site operability and logging costs? What are basic considerations in laying out timber access roads, skid trails and landings? Conservation and habitat topics will also be explored. Program information and registration is available at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/timbersullivan08.pdf
2. New England Forests Through Time
Tuesday, March 4, 7-8:30 p.m., Fox State Forest, Hillsborough
Join Harvard Forest ecologist David Foster to learn about the history, resiliency and potential threats to our New England Forests. Part of the Cottrell -Baldwin Environemental Lecture Series, sponsored by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. For more information: http://www.spnhf.org/thingstodo/
3. Community Tree Workshops
March 4, 8:30 -12:30, Portsmouth AND
March 11, 8:30 -12:30, Chester
If youve ever wanted to know more about tree biology, how to plant and prune trees, and risk tree management, these workshops will provide you with the basic knowledge you will need to grow healthy trees. Learn more at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/urbantrees08.pdf
4. Land Resource Management Workshops - 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., NH Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH
Choose one day-long workshop to attend and learn about current and upcoming activities in a variety of DES and related programs, including the Shoreland Protection Program, Landscaping at the Water's Edge, Alteration of Terrain Program, and Wetlands Program. Learn more: http://www.des.state.nh.us/workshop/default.asp
5. Grass-fed: From Pasture to Plate
March 8, Common Man Inn, Plymouth
I know there are some Coverts folks who manage grasslands through grazing, and who raise animals for food. This looks like an interesting workshop with experts from all over New England. Check it out: http://extension.unh.edu/Counties/Merrimack/Docs/Grazing08.pdf
6. Climate Change and Forest Change in New England
Tuesday, March 18, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Fox State Forest, Hillsborough
Join Cameron Wake, climate scientist at UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans & Space to learn about the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities presented by the forecasted effects of climate change in New England? Part of the Cottrell -Baldwin Environemental Lecture Series, sponsored by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. For more information: http://www.spnhf.org/thingstodo/
7. NH Outside Writers' Collaborative - Training Workshop
Wed. March 26 10 - 3:30, Boscowen
or Wed. April 2, 10 - 3:30, Goffstown
UNH Cooperative Extension natural resource volunteers are invited to participate in a collaborative writing project, NH Outside. Have your articles published, and get editorial help from experts and fellow-collaborative members. Have fun, write better, get published! Learn more on the web at: http://extension.unh.edu/Wildlife/NHCovrts/NHOutside.htm
8. "Big Tree" Workshop
Friday, April 11, Canterbury Shaker Village
Do you have any mammoth trees on your land? Do you want to help your community track and measure it's largest specimen trees? This workshop will teach new "tree measurers" the basics of measuring big or notable trees (circumference, height and crown spread). Please contact Rockingham County Forester Fred Bornman if you are interested in attending or want to learn more: email to: fred.borman@unh.edu, or call 679-5616.
9. Advanced Topic GIS Workshops Using Spatial Analyst
March 18 - Watershed Analysis (Durham)
April 23 - Getting to Know ModelBuilder (Concord)
May 28 - Co-occurance & Habitat Mapping (Concord)
Space is limited for these advanced geospatial technologies workshops, so register early. Full workshop descriptions and registration materials available at: http://extension.unh.edu/GISGPS/GISGPS.htm
Volunteer Opportunities - Please Help!
1. Wildlife Action Plan Survey - Request for Volunteers
As Coverts volunteers, you will soon receive a survey in the mail, asking about your interest in helping do community outreach related to the Wildlife Action Plan (they survey is from me and UNH Cooperative Extension colleagues Frank Mitchell and Amanda Stone. Based on the survey, Cooperative Extension and NH Fish & Game will also be selecting 3 towns to receive direct assistance in wildlife-related planning and education work. If you think your community could benefit from this work, be sure to complete the survey!
2. 4-H Spaces Conference - Stratham
The 4-H program sponsors an annual youth conference that is looking for workshop presenters for Saturday, April 12 in Epping. We need 1 or 2 people (a team would be ideal) to do a 1.5 hour program on NH wildlife using our track kit, furs, and other hands-on materials to talk about mammals & habitats. It's a relaxed setting, with kids ages 8 - 12 or so. It's also fun, and I'm available to help you get ready. They're looking to finalize their program very soon, so if you think you're interested, please let me know (email to: malin.clyde@unh.edu, or call: 862-2166). Thank you!
3. Discover Wild NH Day
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., NH Fish & Game headquarters, Concord
If you can help staff our booth & activities at this family-friendly outdoor event, please contact me (malin.clyde@unh.edu)! We're looking for folks in 2-hour shifts.
Save the Date - Tree Farm Field Day
Andorra Forest in Stoddard was selected as the 2008 Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year. Andorra Forest contains 11,000 acres of land which the Faulkner Family has been actively managing for timber, wildlife, recreation and water for generations. They will be hosting the annual Tree Farm Field Day on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Plan to attend this fun and educational day next fall!
