July 2008 Archives
Malin Clyde wrote:
2008-07-24
Coverts Project Update - July 24, 2008
Workshops
Tree Farm Field Day - Andorra Forest, Stoddard - Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
This is always a great field day, hosted by the winners of the annual NH Tree Farm of the Year award. Presentations and tours will take place on wildlife habitat, cattle farm, Marlow fire history, Pitcher Mt. fire tower, a GPS scavenger hunt, a talk by Bear expert Ben Kilham (CC98), Audubon's forest bird initiative, and others. Registration and additional information available in the brochure, posted online at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/TFFieldDay.pdf
Save the Date - We're still working on the details for these workshops, but this is a heads up on topic and dates
Hayfields as Habitat Workshop - Thursday, Aug. 28, Coos County (location TBA)
If you missed the recent workshop in Laconia & Brentwood, this is a similar workshop, based on the Wildlife Action Plan - Habitat Stewardship Brochure on Grasslands. Registration information available soon (I'll include in my next update).
Floodplain Forests - Wednesday, October 8 (location TBA)
A workshop on the ecology and stewardship of New Hampshire's floodplain forests, based on the Wildlife Action Plan - Habitat Stewardship Brochure on Floodplain Forests. Registration information available soon (I'll include i
Coverts Project Reunion Gathering - Saturday, October 4, 9:30 - 3:00, Sandwich
After the fun we had at the June gathering at the Mitchell's Tree Farm in Gilmanton, we have another fun day planned at the property of Coverts Cooperator David (CC04) and C.C. White. We'll have hikes, a picnic lunch, and a chance to tour the property of fellow Coverts volunteers. There will be lots to see! The Whites are in the middle of conducting of a wide variety of stewardship projects on their 118-acre property in the Atwood Brook watershed. They are also homesteaders, featured in the Spring 2007 edition of Northern Woodlands Magazine, and in the April 2005 issue of our Making Tracks newsletter. Mark your calendars today!
New Resources
Wildlife Action Plan Newsletter - Subscribe Today
Did you receive the "Taking Action for Wildlife" email newsletter earlier this spring? If not, it is posted online at http://extension.unh.edu/CommDev/Docs/WAPnews.pdf If you did not receive it, and want to subscribe, send a request to Sharon.Hughes@unh.edu.
Other events, previously posted
(go to Volunteers Working for Wildlife for complete information)
Aug. 2 - Invasive Plant Control Options for Homeowners, Greenland
Aug. 4 - Freedom Town Forest Hike - Freedom
Aug. 7 - Green Mountain Hike - Freedom
Aug. 8 - Rooting out Coastal Invasive Plants, Greenland
Aug. 9 - Randolph Forest Tour, Randolph
Aug. 14 - Suncook River Tour, Epsom
Aug. 18 - Macroinvertebrate Sampling Training - Effingham
Aug. 22 - Wetlands Evaluation Workshop - Wakefield
Malin Clyde wrote:
2008-07-11
Coverts Project Update - July 11, 2008
Volunteer Opportunities
1. Natural Resource Training Session Accepting Applications Now
A note from UNHCE Urban Forestry Specialist Mary Tebo:
Starting in September we area once again offering our NH Natural Resources Volunteer Program - Core training for Tree Stewards, Wonders of Wildlife and Earth Team Volunteers. Very much a sister program to the Coverts training and if your are interested in furthering your knowledge of NH's outdoors this program may be for you. The sessions will be held in 2 new locations this year at the Community Colleges in Manchester on Wednesdays, or Fridays in Stratham. Our website explains the program in more detail. We also hope that you pass the word on to others in your community who might be interested. If anyone has any questions they can contact Mary Tebo at 629-9494 x 140. We hope you can join us and really appreciate your help spreading the word! To learn more, go to: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/FORCTS.htm
2. Lamprey River Invasives Work Party - July 23, 5-8 p.m., Epping and Lee
The Lamprey River Advisory Committee and Lamprey River Watershed Association are hosting an evening work party to help stop the invasive plant Japanese knotweed, which is taking over natural areas in Epping and Lee at an alarming rate. It quickly forms a wall of tall vegetation where nothing else can grow, preventing access to the Lamprey River, out-competing native plants, and destroying wildlife habitat. Two teams will work at two separate sites. Meet in the parking lot of the Epping Town Hall or at 203 Wadleigh Falls Road in Lee. Please bring work gloves and cutting implements such as loppers if you have them. If you plan to join us please phone 659-6063 or email info@birchtreeconservation.net by 20th July.
3. North County Recreation Survey - Volunteers Needed - Pittsburg, NH
The Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteers to conduct a Public Use Recreation Survey at the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest Recreation Management Area in Pittsburg NH during selected dates in the months of July, August, September, October and November. For more information on this program, http://www.nhstateparks.org/planning-development/connecticut-lakes-headwaters .
More on Volunteer duties - Volunteers will staff a contact station at key access points and interview drivers with a series of prepared questions, also make and record observations to number of vehicles and/or users encountered. The survey day is broken into two parts, morning (am) and afternoon (pm). Surveyors are asked to be at their first station by 8:00 am, leaving at 11:30 to be on station for the afternoon by 12:30 until 3:00 pm. You will be working in a wild remote area of the state. The survey locations are accessible by passenger vehicle. We will be surveying rain or shine (or flurries) so be prepared for the weather. Camp sites are available to volunteers at Lake Francis State Park or Deer Mountain Campground with prior arrangements. There are also many lodging and dining establishments in the area. For more information contact: Johanna Lyons or Barbara Ford jlyons@dred.state.nh.us or Parksintern@dred.state.nh.us NH Division of Parks and Recreation Planning and Development Office, PO Box 1856, Concord NH 03302-1856, phone: 603/271-3556
Upcoming Workshops & Events
1. Grassland & Hayfield Programs - July 16 (Brentwood) or July 18 (Laconia)
Hayfields as Habitat: how to manage for birds and your bottom line - July 16, Brentwood (evening) OR July 18, Laconia (morning)
We need the help of Coverts volunteers to let farmers, field managers, and others who own large hayfields or grasslands know about these upcoming workshops. The programs will help raise awareness about the birds and other wildlife which live and breed in hayfields and grasslands. We will showcase a range of simple practices that farmers and other landowners can use to minimize the impacts of mowing on wildlife. Coverts Cooperators who attend will get ideas to bring back to land managers in their communities, at local landfills or local airports. You should have received a flyer in the mail, or you can print it online at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/HayfieldsasHabitat.pdf To register, call 862-1028 or email to debra.anderson@unh.edu.
2. Rooting out Coastal Invasive Plants - Friday, Aug. 8, 1-4 p.m., Greenland
Part of the Friday afternoon Conservation Workshop series, this workshop will demonstrate control techniques and experimental methods to determine underlying causes of invasive plant communities. Program is free, but registration is required. To learn more, see the brochure for the workshop series at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/ConsWkshopBro.pdf
3. It's Your Choice: Invasive Plant Control Options for Home Owners - August 2, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Greenland
This program, aimed at homeowners and landowners in the Great Bay watershed, will teach invasive plant identification, and demonstrate both chemical and pesticide-free options for landowners who want to remove invasive plants. Program is free, but registration is limited. Contact Rachel at rachel@greatbay.org or call 778-0015.
4. Suncook River Tour - August 14, 6-8 p.m., Epsom
Sponsored by Bear Paw Regional Greenways, this walk will explore the river with Sally Soule, the Coastal Watershed Supervisor with NHDES and head of the Volunteer Biologic Assessment Program for river testing. She will lead a tour of a portion of river and collect samples while discussing changes in the biology of the river since the historic May 2006 floods. Please pre-register for the location and directions. Email to: info@bear-paw.org or call 463-9400. Check out their website for additional information at: http://www.bear-paw.org/
5. Evaluating Wetlands Using the Revised NH Method - Friday Aug. 22, 1-4 p.m., Wakefield
The last of the Friday afternoon Conservation Workshop series, this field-based workshop will demonstrate a wetland field evaluation using some of the revised NH Method functions. You'll learn about what's new with the NH Method, and much about wetland functions and values and wetland ecology. Great for conservation commissioners and other community decision-makers! Program is free, but register is required. To learn more, see the brochure for the workshop series at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/ConsWkshopBro.pdf
6. Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney offers a variety of programs during the summer. The next few are listed below. Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge. Please pass the information on to anyone who might be interested. http://www.quincybog.orgSaturday, July 19 Dragonfly Walk: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Can you tell the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? Join amateur odontologist Bill Taffe to learn about these fascinating insects. The walk will include both lab and field work. Wear shoes or boots appropriate for standing in water, bring drinking water, a lunch and a hand lens (7X - 10X). Limited to 6 participants - pre-register by calling Bill Taffe at 786-2553. Call Bill if there are questions about cancelling due to clouds or rain (dragonflies only appear when it's sunny).
Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 pm - Bats of New Hampshire
Whether you love them or fear them, bats are important to New Hampshire's ecosystems and people -- but, they are in trouble. Join us to learn about the fascinating natural history of bats and what is threatening their very survival.*Emily Brunkhurst* is a Conservation Biologist in the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program of the NH Fish and Game Department. She has been an avid naturalist her whole life, and has enjoyed sharing her love of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and especially insects with others for many years. She has a master's degree in entomology, concentrating on aquatic insects, and is one of the leaders of the NH Dragonfly Survey.
7. The 10,000 acre Randolph Forest will be sponsoring a public program and forest tour on Saturday, August 9. It will start at the Municipal Building on Pinkham B (Dolly Copp) Road at 9:45 and will run for about 4 hours. Participants should bring trail lunches. One of the themes of the tour will involve a discussion of the new permanent transects being laid our for the monitoring of wildlife with a demonstration of how they can be used. We will see the new wildlife openings. We will discuss the Tree Farm certification which was accomplished last year; what it means in terms of potential customers. It is possible that there will be some active timber harvesting underway at the time. If so, we will invite the logger to talk about the challenges facing the logging industry this year. Members of the Forest Commission, both of our Natural Resource Consultants and the Town Forester will all be on hand to answer questions and discuss matters related to forestry in general and to the Randolph Community Forest in particular. Thanks to Edith Tucker for spreading the word - contact Dan Wilcox of the Randolph Forest Commission for more information (email: dlw@ncia.net).
Other Items of Note (previously posted)
1. Several new videos are on the UNHCE forest and trees webpage - they are both great. All videos are listed here: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Videos.htm To watch the following videos, click on the links that follow:
Sustainable Farm Woolots, Sustainable Farms: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/media/sustainableFW/sustain_fw.htm
A Walk with a Forester in the Granite State: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/media/walk_forester/walk_for.htm
A Carefully Considered Timber Harvest - an example at Pisgah State Park: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Videos.htm
2. Upcoming Green Mountain Conservation Group Events:Monday, August 4th: Freedom Town Forest & Trout Pond Hike. Explore the town forest and learn from foresters about its natural history and recent timber harvesting and wildlife habitat improvement projects. Meet at the end of Shawtown Road, past Danforth Bay campground, at 9:30 a.m. Call Beth Earle 539-7357 FMI. Sponsored by Freedom Conservation Commission & Forest Advisory Committee. This hike is part of the Green Mountain Conservation Groups 10 Hikes for 10 Years series in 2008, sponsored by Sugar Hill Retirement Community. Please bring plenty of water, bug spray, snacks, and layers. We will be hiking until approximately 12:30 p.m., trail level is easy-moderate.
Thursday, August 7th: Green Mountain Hike. This hike is part of the Green Mountain Conservation Groups 10 Hikes for 10 Years series in 2008, sponsored by Sugar Hill Retirement Community, and the Freedom Old Home Week Committee. Please bring plenty of water, bug spray, snacks, and layers. We will be hiking the Dearborn Trail until approximately 12:30 p.m., trail level is moderate. Meet at the ball field at Freedom Elementary School at 9:30 a.m. Call John Shipman 539-5799 FMI.
Monday, August 18th: Macroinvertebrate Sampling Training. 10-2 p.m. Huntress House, Effingham, N.H.
