October 2010 Archives
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-29
Had a great afternoon hike in Shelburne last Friday at the Coverts Gathering hosted by Larry Ely (CC98). We had a small but stalwart group of Coverts volunteers and neighbors--I’ve posted some pictures online here. Thanks to Marjorie Goodson for sending me some good ones! You can access the content of this message anytime at our online blog: Volunteers Working for Wildlife.
Also note a new section of these email updates: “Coverts News.” If you send me news of what you’re doing, I’d love to share your stories too!
Cheers,
Malin
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NEWS FOR COVERTS COOPERATORS – Take the Annual Coverts Survey Today!
The annual Coverts survey is ready for all Coverts Cooperators except the newest class, who don’t have to fill it out until next year...enjoy your rookie year, Class of 2010!. The survey has some new questions this year, in an effort to coordinate our data with other New England states who run Coverts-like programs. But it should still only take 15 minutes. Please take it today, since you know I’ll keep bugging you until you do! Thank you so much for your help! J
- Click here to connect to the online survey
- Click here to email Malin if you want a paper survey instead.
WORKSHOPS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Bobcats, Bears, Moose and More – Detecting and Interpreting Wildlife Uses of Habitat
Friday, Nov. 5, 1:30 – 4 p.m.
North Country Resource Center, 629B Main St (Rte. 3), Lancaster
Click here for more information
Please join us for “Bobcats, Bears, Moose and more – Detecting and Interpreting Wildlife Uses of Habitat,” featuring Susan Morse, Program and Research Director for Keeping Track, Inc. This program is part of a Tree Farm Program inspectors training, but the afternoon session with Sue Morse is open to the public. The program is sponsored by the NH Tree Farm Program in collaboration with UNH Cooperative Extension, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, NH Timberland Owners Association, and Granite State Division/Society of American Foresters; Please contact Rita Carroll at 603-224-9945 ext 331 for additional information and to register; There is no charge for this program.
Asian Longhorned Beetle Field Trip to Worcester, MA
Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, 7:30 a.m. start time
Departure from Bedford, NH (Macy’s parking lot)
Learn first hand about the ALB impact on community forests, current restoration efforts and the threat to forests further north and more. Please arrive no later than 7:30am at Macy's Parking lot - 125 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110. The bus will return to Macy's at 2:45. There is a $20.00 fee to cover bus trip. Please make check payable to UNHCE and mail to UNH Cooperative Extension, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101. Click here to learn more and to register. Please choose the 11/8 session. If you have any questions. please email Rachel Maccini at rachel.maccini@unh.edu or call 603- 629-9494.
Science Myth & Future of Forestry in New England
Thursday, Nov. 4, 3:15 – 6:30 p.m.
White Mt. National Forest Headquarters, Campton
Bill Leak and Mariko Yamasaki are the featured speakers at this event sponsored by the NH Timberland Owners Association. Learn more, including registration information, at their website: http://www.nhtoa.org/
Speaking for Wildlife Training – Sign Up Today!
Dec. 3, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., NH Fish & Game, Concord
You’ve heard about this program piloted in the Upper Valley last year...and guess what? Now Coverts volunteers from other parts of the state can get involved too!. The Speaking for Wildlife program allows you to join a speaker’s bureau and learn how to deliver basic (but fun!) wildlife-themed programs to groups in your local community. Upper Valley Coverts Cooperators spoke to dozens of groups this year about wildlife, conservation, and the history of wildlife in the New Hampshire (to rave reviews!). And we have new topics in the works for this year, including ones on natural communities, gardening for wildlife, and New Hampshire’s Bats. Learn more about Speaking for Wildlife here. To register or for questions about the training, contact Malin Clyde at 603-862-2166 or malin.clyde@unh.edu
Bear Paw Regional Greenways Workshops – click here to learn more and register
- Land Conservation Options & Estate Planning, Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m., Deerfield
- Annual Meeting with speaker David Foster of Harvard Forest, Feb. 12, 2011
COVERTS NEWS
Some nice stories I’ve been hearing about Coverts volunteers...here, a few notes:
Mark Trager (CC08) of Sandown reports on an exciting new purchase by the Sandown Conservation Commission: “The Sandown Conservation Commission in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) completed the purchase of 74 acres of protected open space on Friday 9/24/2010 from the children of Ward A. Porter. [A] 58 acre parcel abuts Sandown’s existing Green Wood-Hooke Town Forest and the Exeter River, creating a wildlife corridor of 116 acres and protecting approximately one-half mile of the Exeter River.”
The Coverts Project office was delighted to hear that Dave & Tanya Tellman (CC96, 95) of Bethlehem are finalists for the 2010 Spirit of New Hampshire Award, a volunteer service award given out by the governor. The award cites the Tellman’s as “natural resource educators who volunteer for NH Fish & Game, UNH Cooperative Extension, the Forest Society, NH Project Learning Tree, NH Tree Farm, and the NH Timberland Owners Association. They are committed conservationists who are enthusiastic about quiding visitors of all ages through New Hampshire’s natural world.” Congratulations, Dave & Tanya!
Andy Powell (CC95) of Merrimack (and Danbury) invites Coverts Cooperators and friends to the site of his new cabin: “Planning for spring construction at Wild Meadow Woods. A portable mill arrives on November 8-9 to cut up about 2,500 board feet of pine with a bit of nice cherry that will work its way into the new construction as siding, post and beams plus more. If anyone is interested they can view the milling process – weather permitting. A call to me is appropriate if they want to stop by.” (Andy’s phone number: 603-881-5238).
PUBLICATIONS HIGHLIGHT
Best Management Practices for Forestry: Protecting NH’s Water Quality
Check out this handbook that describes Best Management Practices, or BMPs, for protecting water quality during timber harvests in New Hampshire. You can read it online, or order a full-color copy for $6. Among many topics, the book includes sections on stream crossings, roads, harvesting and landings; a great how-to resource with full-color photos and lots of excellent illustrations.
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-19
Coverts Cooperators, Friends & Partners,
The weather last Friday was frightful, but according to our Coverts Gathering host Larry Ely, "the oranges and yellows are still strong" on the trees in Shelburne. I hope more of you will consider skipping work and responsibilities to join us for our workshop this Friday, Oct. 22, noon-4:00 in Shelburne!
Complete information is available online here including:
- What you'll see and hiking options
- Photos of the property
- Directions and parking information
- Malin's cookie recipe (just kidding...but I'll give it to you if you come to the workshop!)
The event is free, but registration is required. Please bring a bag lunch, appropriate rain-gear, day-pack, and sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Larry and Ginger will provide hot and cold drinks and dessert. Malin will bring cookies. Registration will be open through Wednesday, October 20; contact Malin Clyde at (603) 862-2166 or malin.clyde@unh.edu.
Hope to hear from you!
Malin
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-14
Due to a grim weather forecast for tomorrow, we have decided to postpone the Shelburne Coverts Gathering until next Friday, October 22, 12-4 p.m. So if you couldn’t make it tomorrow, maybe you can make it next week! The leaves may have turned a bit more, but it’s still an incredible property with amazing views.
Please register by next Wednesday, Oct. 20 -- call Malin at 603-862-2166 or email at malin.clyde@unh.edu. Here’s the newest press release:
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FALL FOLIAGE HIKE IN SHELBURNE RESCHEDULED TO OCTOBER 22
Due to a stormy forecast, a public tour of First Mountain Forest in Shelburne has been rescheduled from Friday Oct. 15 to Friday Oct. 22. First Mountain Forest is a 130-acre property in Shelburne, NH that was recently protected with a conservation easement through the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The October 22 hike will focus on wildlife and habitats, and will take place from noon until 4 PM, and will be hosted by landowners Larry Ely and Ginger Lawson.
The event is free, but registration is required. The hike is being organized through the NH Coverts Project, a wildlife volunteer program sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and NH Fish & Game. Larry Ely is a NH Coverts Project volunteer, and is hosting the workshop as part of the “Coverts Gathering” series.
Larry and Ginger's property provides a wildlife corridor connecting the Carter Moriah Range of the White Mountain National Forest to the Mahoosuc Mountain Range across the Androscoggin River. The property visit will start with a picnic lunch and include several hiking options, including a path to the mountain summit with incredible mountain views and shorter hikes through adjoining properties that include a variety of wildlife habitats.
Please bring a bag lunch, appropriate rain-gear, day-pack, and sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Larry and Ginger will provide hot and cold drinks and dessert. Registration will be open through October 20; contact Malin Clyde at (603) 862-2166 or malin.clyde@unh.edu.
For complete information, including directions to the property, go online to: http://extension.unh.edu/Wildlife/NHCovrts/Ely_Lawson_Profile.htm
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-13
Wildlife Volunteer Help Needed – Oct. 30 in Rochester
Can you tell a red fox from a skunk? A coyote pelt from a bobcat? If so, please help us! A local watershed group will be working with Rochester school kids stocking trout and learning about river habitats. They need a Coverts volunteer to show the mammal pelts to the kids. It promises to be low-key and fun – no experience necessary! The event will go from 10-noon on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Waste Management in Rochester. If you can donate 2 hours of your time (and a measure of enthusiasm for wildlife!), please contact Strafford Co. Forester Deborah Goard by Friday Oct. 15 by calling 516-8114 or email at Deborah.goard@unh.edu . Thank you!
Fall Foliage Hiking Trip - Coverts Gathering in Shelburne, NH
Friday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Click here to learn more, get directions, and check out photos of the property!
Has your calendar cleared? Want to go for a hike this Friday afternoon? Go ahead, skip work and join us! Please register by tomorrow, Oct. 14 by emailing Malin .
Feeding Birds in Winter
Oct. 20, Rocks Estate, Bethlehem, 7 p.m.
Naturalist (and new Coverts Cooperator!) David Govatski will present a program on "Feeding Birds in Winter" on October 20, 2010 at 7 PM at the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem. The program will feature methods and techniques to optimize attracting birds to your home in winter. Learn about the winter finch forecast and which birds we will likely see this winter. Free handouts on feeding birds will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring one favorite bird feeder to the program to share why this feeder works so well. This free program is sponsored by New Hampshire Audubon and the Rocks Estate.
Invasive Plant Workshop & Workday
Saturday, Oct. 23 9 -2:30 p.m., Northwood
Learn about invasive plants and then head out into the field to help remove them at Northwood Meadows State Park! Dr. Tom Lees. Associate Professor of Forest Ecology at UNH will present at Northwood Town Hall starting at 9 a.m. Trips in the field to follow. Sponsored by the Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative (NALMC) Click here email NALMC if you have questions .
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PUBLICATIONS HIGHLIGHT
Managing Grasslands, Shrublands, and Young Forest Habitats for Wildlife: A Guide for the Northeast
This guide will provide you with important and practical information on how to maintain and restore grasslands, shrublands, orchards, and other types of early-successional habitats on the lands you own or manage. Whether you are a novice or an experienced land manager, this guide will provide helpful information anyone can use to better manage early-successional habitats.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Northeast_Hab_Mgt_Guide.htm
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-08
Dear Coverts Cooperators, Friends, and Partners,
As a way of introducing the newest Coverts Cooperators, you’ll find in this post an excerpt from the Action Plans each developed at the end of the workshop (used with permission). Also check out (anonymous) photos from the 2010 workshop posted online here .
Also, please consider coming to the upcoming Coverts Gathering in Shelburne! For those wondering, Yes, I will be bringing cookies. Click here to register .
As always, this information is also available anytime on the Coverts blog Volunteers Working for Wildlife .
Hope to see you next Friday!
Malin
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
SAVE THE DATE
Speaking for Wildlife Training
Dec. 3, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., NH Fish & Game, Concord
You’ve heard about this program that we piloted in the Upper Valley last year...and guess what? Now Coverts volunteers from other parts of the state can get involved too! Come to a new training scheduled for Dec. 3 (click here for flyer ). About Speaking for Wildlife: you can join a speaker’s bureau and learn how to deliver basic (but fun!) wildlife-themed programs to groups in your local community. Upper Valley Coverts Cooperators spoke to dozens of groups this year about wildlife, conservation, and the history of wildlife in the New Hampshire (to rave reviews!). And we have new topics in the works for this year, including ones on natural communities, gardening for wildlife, and New Hampshire’s Bats. Learn more about Speaking for Wildlife
New Hampshire Red Tide Survey
Extension Researchers at UNH want to know how much people know or understand about red tides, in order to design a new educational campaign. Please help by taking 5 minutes to fill out an online survey about red tide! Click here to take the survey , and thank you!
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Fall Foliage Hiking Trip - Coverts Gathering in Shelburne, NH
Friday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Click here to learn more, get directions, and check out photos of the property!
I hope you’ll join us for an upcoming tour of First Mountain Forest, a 130-acre parcel recently protected with a conservation easement through the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The gathering on October 15 (noon - 4 pm), hosted by Coverts Cooperator Larry Ely (CC98) and his wife Ginger Lawson, will be a great chance to see fall foliage in the White Mountains. Coverts Cooperators, friends, neighbors, and families are all welcome. It will be a great chance to get some exercise, see a beautiful property, and learn more about Larry and Ginger's land stewardship. Larry and Ginger's property provides a wildlife corridor connecting the Carter Moriah Range of the White Mountain National Forest to the Mahoosuc Mountain Range across the Androscoggin River. The event is free, but please register by Wednesday, October 13, 2010 to: Malin Clyde (malin.clyde@unh.edu ) or calling 862-2166.
NEW! Annual Meeting of the Bedford Land Trust
Oct. 28, 6:30-8:15
At 7:30, Dave Anderson, Director of Education & Volunteer Services at the Forest Society will present “Cultural Landscapes: How land conservation saves local legacies and the untold stories of our predecessors.” Learn more about the program, including directions, here .
Caring for Your Forest Workshop Series
Merrimack County Offices, Boscawen, NH
Oct. 29 – GPS on Your Woodlot
Nov. 5 – Roads and Trails on Your Woodlot
Nov. 12 – Silviculture for Landowners
Nov. 19 – Selling Timber and Timber Harvesting Laws
Another great series of introductory workshops for landowners! All workshops run 12:30 – 4:30 and take place in the field. Cost for each workshop is $10. Click here for complete program information, including registration materials. Tell your friends and neighbors!
GIS Training – Tamworth Community School
Oct. 27, 3:30 – 6:00
Workshop for teachers, upper level students, and the public about how to create GIS maps using free softward. Cost is $20 each. Click here for more information and to register online !
INTRODUCING THE NEW COVERTS COOPERATORS, CLASS OF 2010
New! Click here to view an online photo gallery from the 2010 workshop!
Carol Andersen-Botsford of Bedford is looking forward to sharing what she learned at the workshop with her school classroom, where they’ll be taking field trips to town conservation properties.
Chris Bogard of Epping is passionate about turtles, and hope to incorporate information from the workshop into outreach presentations about the importance of wetlands, land conservation, and vernal pools.
Marilyn Brock of Bedford wants to increase the public outreach of the Bedford Land Trust, where she is a board member, perhaps by writing newsletter articles or hosting presentations using materials gathered at the workshop.
Lorraine Cline of Andover would like to lead tours on her property, including snowshoe, x-c skiing, and walks in the woods.
Brian Dubois of Wentworth will be hiring a consulting forester (within 30 days, he says!) who will help draw up a forest management plan for their 56-acre property. When work gets underway, he’d also like to invite the local school to a Field Day.
Jean Eno of Greenland is excited to use her writing skills on a new series of articles for her local newspaper on conservation, wildlife habitat, grasslands, and forest stewardship.
Clint Furnald of South Hampton would like to join his town’s Conservation Commission and get involved in doing outreach about invasive plant species, using his own property as an example.
Tressa Gaffney of New London wants to create a new trail system at the Fells, where she works, to focus on habitat features and wildlife.
David Govatski of Jefferson plans to lead a series of birding field trips and deliver wildlife-themed presentations, as well as write a magazine article and create a Facebook page.
Carol Irvin of Greenfield looks forward to leading walks on properties the Conservation Commission is hoping to protect, and will also work towards developing a management plan and a conservation easement for her own property.
Kim Kelley of Antrim is looking forward to getting involved in the “Speaking for Wildlife” program to deliver wildlife presentations in her community.
Leon-C Malan of Bradford will be developing outreach for Northeast Organic Farming Association related to the link between wildlife and agriculture.
Ian McSweeney of Weare plans to create a forest management plan for his property, and to complete the restoration component of the Wetland Reserve Program project on his land.
Jill Montgomery of Sunapee looks forward to getting involved in Speaking for Wildlife, especially programming on Gardening for Wildlife and also working with the Lake Sunapee Protective Association on shoreland and upland habitat conservation.
George Montgomery of Sunapee will incorporate Coverts lessons about conservation planning in the field trips he and Jill lead for the Fells.
Kristen Murphy of Dover (and Exeter) liked what she heard from Betsy Hardwick about sponsoring after-school walks on conservation lands. Kristen plans to do the same with Woodman Park Elementary in her hometown of Dover.
David Outhouse of Greenland is looking forward to working with Greenland Elementary School to host a field trip on his property focused on habitat diversity and land stewardship.
Joseph Oyer of Roxbury will be requesting a site visit to his property by County Forester Steve Roberge and perhaps a wildlife specialist too, with an eye towards creating management goals and a plan for the land.
Beth Penney of Lyndeborough wants to work with her own Conservation Commission and those of neighboring towns on land conservation and trail building, and also looks forward to getting involved with Speaking for Wildlife.
Janet Renaud of Greenfield also likes the idea of Speaking for Wildlife, and also hopes to get involved with stewardship of the Greenfield Town Forest.
Joseph Warner of Unity would like to reach out to several of his neighbors to discuss things he learned at the Coverts workshop and how they could develop complementary objectives for their properties.
Nick Wrighton of Brentwood wants to invite his company to an “off-site” event at his property to both talk science (the company’s technology) and share some of the things he learned at the Coverts workshop.
Robin Wrighton of Brentwood wants to work on having their land be a demonstration forest for others interested in wildlife and habitats. She also wants to see a moose in her backyard!
Sherry Young of Contoocook will be incorporating many of the wildlife messages from the Coverts workshop into her work on several newsletters, including those for the Merrimack County Conservation District and the Small & Beginner Farmers of NH.
OTHER NEWS
When’s the Last Time you visited the Online Coverts Library?
Click here for Wildlife Publications
Click here for Online Coverts Library
Publications Highlight
Issue of “Habitats” newsletter focused on invasive plants
This is an oldie but a goodie (winter 2002). It helps explain in laymen’s terms why invasive plants are a problem for ecosystems, for people, and for wildlife. Also look for pieces on controlling, recognizing and strategizing around invasive plant problems. For other up-to-date information in invasive plants, go to nhinvasives.org
Follow UNHCE Forestry & Wildlife on Twitter!
Do you use Twitter? You can follow us by visiting our Twitter page – you’ll be the first to hear about all kinds of forestry & wildlife news!
Malin Clyde wrote:
2010-10-01
Dear Coverts volunteers, Friends, and Partners,
I have lots to report about another terrific Coverts Project Workshop last week, though I will save the details for another post next week. I want to introduce the new volunteers, and I haven’t had a chance to pull together their stories yet!
But I DO have a few key pieces of news for you, including information about the upcoming Coverts Gathering scheduled for Friday, October 15, 2010 in Shelburne, NH . It is gorgeous fall foliage country, north of the White Mountains in the Mahoosic Mountain Range, near the Maine border. I hope you’ll consider an afternoon trip to join us! See details, including registration information, below. All are welcome!
Malin
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
Wildlife Volunteer – Raymond Schools, Oct. 8
We are looking for a Coverts volunteer who is game (ha ha) for putting the wildlife kit materials to use with school kids at a nature day planned for Oct. 8. There will be 6 stations, and you would staff a Wildlife booth during 2 sessions (9-10:50 and 12:45 – 2:45). If you think you can help, please email Malin (malin.clyde@unh.edu ) and I’ll put you in touch with Phil Auger, UNHCE conservation specialist who will work with you to plan the day. Thank you in advance – we’ve tried all the regional staff and everyone has a conflict! Please help!
Speaking for Wildlife Training
Dec. 3, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., NH Fish & Game, Concord
You’ve heard about this program that we piloted in the Upper Valley last year...and guess what? Now Coverts volunteers from other parts of the state can get involved too! Come to a new training scheduled for Dec. 3 (click here for flyer ). About Speaking for Wildlife: you can join a speaker’s bureau and learn how to deliver basic (but fun!) wildlife-themed programs to groups in your local community. Upper Valley Coverts Cooperators spoke to dozens of groups this year about wildlife, conservation, and the history of wildlife in the New Hampshire (to rave reviews!). And we have new topics in the works for this year, including ones on natural communities, gardening for wildlife, and New Hampshire’s Bats. Learn more about Speaking for Wildlife
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
**NEW!**
Fall Foliage Hiking Trip - Coverts Gathering in Shelburne, NHFriday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Click here to learn more, get directions, and check out photos of the property!
I hope you’ll join us for an upcoming tour of First Mountain Forest, a 130-acre parcel recently protected with a conservation easement through the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The gathering on October 15 (noon-4 pm), hosted by Coverts Cooperator Larry Ely (CC98) and his wife Ginger Lawson, will be a great chance to see fall foliage in the White Mountains. Coverts Cooperators, friends, neighbors, and families are all welcome. It will be a great chance to get some exercise, see a beautiful property, and learn more about Larry and Ginger's land stewardship. Larry and Ginger's property provides a wildlife corridor connecting the Carter Moriah Range of the White Mountain National Forest to the Mahoosuc Mountain Range across the Androscoggin River. The event is free, but please Register by Wednesday, October 13, 2010 to: Malin Clyde (malin.clyde@unh.edu ) or calling 862-2166.Caring for Your Forest Workshop Series
Merrimack County Offices, Boscawen, NH
Oct. 29 – GPS on Your Woodlot
Nov. 5 – Roads and Trails on Your Woodlot
Nov. 12 – Silviculture for Landowners
Nov. 19 – Selling Timber and Timber Harvesting Laws
Another great series of introductory workshops for landowners! All workshops run 12:30 – 4:30 and take place in the field. Cost for each workshop is $10. Click here for complete program information, including registration materials. Tell your friends and neighbors!
GIS Training – Tamworth Community School
Oct. 27, 3:30 – 6:00
Workshop for teachers, upper level students, and the public about how to create GIS maps using free softward. Cost is $20 each. Click here for more information and to register online !
OTHER NEWS
Follow UNHCE Forestry & Wildlife on Twitter!
Do you use Twitter? You can follow us by visiting our Twitter page – you’ll be the first to hear about all kinds of forestry & wildlife news!
