Dear Coverts Cooperators, Partners & Friends,
It’s been awhile since my last update, so I have lots of news to pass along. So much, in fact, that I’ve put off sending this update because I anticipated needing so much time to compile it. But that’s a losing proposition as the list just keeps getting longer! My apologies to those who sent in notices for events that already occurred...Also, be sure to check out the news (under “Resources” below) about the NEW edition of Good Forestry in the Granite State, hot off the presses this week! Hope everyone is enjoying all of this snow. I’m sort of glad not to be a chickadee in this cold...
Malin
Remember, you can access Coverts Updates anytime at Volunteers Working for Wildlife.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Discover Wild New Hampshire Day, Sat. April 30, Concord: I could still use a few more volunteers to help staff our booth at this family-friendly event. Slots include:
9:00 setup – 12:00 OR 12:00 – 3:00p.m.
To sign up, contact: Malin Clyde, malin.clyde@unh.edu, or 603-862-2166
Report Sightings of Turkey Flocks
If you see a flock of wild turkeys in New Hampshire this winter, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department would like to hear about it from now through March 31, 2011. All it takes is filling out a simple electronic survey form posted on the Fish and Game website. Please do not report multiple sightings of the same flock.
Report Bobcat Sightings
If you observe the persistent presence of a bobcat on your property in the area of southern Belknap County, northern Rockingham County, western Strafford County, or eastern Merrimack County, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department would like to hear from you. Read more about this research project, how to report sightings, and view a map of the region of interest.
Unusual Request from Coverts Cooperator Judi Lindsey!
Coverts Cooperator and science teacher Judi Lindsay of Candia is looking for a few items to borrow. She writes, “My 4th grade has read Island of the Blue Dolphins and we are doing a project and display for curriculum night later in March.” She’s looking for cormorant feathers or a mounted cormorant, abalones, otter pelts or mounts. If you have any of these you can loan her, call Judi at 483-2171 or email Judi here.
WORKSHOPS
Timber Harvest Tour: Yatsevitch Forest Reservation, Cornish & Plainfield
Saturday January 29, 10 am to 1 pm; Directions and Details
Sponsored by The Society for the Protection of NH Forests. Call Tina at 224-9945 ext 313 to pre-register or visit signup@forestsoceiety.org
Hanover Conservation Council –Sponsored Outdoor Events– Details & Directions
Moose Mt. Ridge XC Ski & Snowshoe, Jan 29, 9-12
Ray School Family Snowshoe Hike, Feb. 5, 10-11:30
Rinker-Steele Natural Area Snowshoe Hike, Feb. 26, 10-11:30
Resources for Forest Landowners
Feb 2, 2011, 6:30 p.m., Laconia Details and Directions
People, programs, publications, the internet....there are many resources and a tremendous amount of information available for forest landowners. This 1-hour program will introduce participants to the basics about setting landowner objectives, making management decisions, finding educational and technical resources, and which financial resources can aid in land stewardship.
NH Farm & Forest Expo, Feb. 4 and 5, 2011, Manchester
Friday, Feb. 4: 9-11a.m., Saturday, Feb. 5
Thanks to everyone who offered to volunteer! Hope to see others at this fun event. Read more about the schedule of events, including directions and workshops.
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Annual Meeting
Feb. 12, 8:30 a.m. - afternoon (for field trip)
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways invites its members, friends, and the public to its Annual Meeting at Coe-Brown Academy in Northwood, NH. The day will include a talk by Dr. David Foster of Harvard Forest, a potluck lunch, a raffle, and a hike/snowshoe at Evans Mountain, their newest protected property (over 1000 acres!). Details, Registration, & Directions
Backyard Maple Sugaring Workshops – it’s almost that time of year again! Interested in maple sugaring on a small scale? Extension is offering several hands-on workshops to get started. Details, Registration, Directions
Feb. 2 - Sunapee
Feb. 5 – Farm & Forest Expo, Manchester
Feb. 12 – N. Haverhill
Feb. 15 - Peterborough
Feb. 26 - Andover
Mar. 5 - Keene
Forestry Tour at the Rocks Estate
Sunday, Feb. 20, 10-1:00, Bethlehem
Join staff from the Forest Society and consulting forester Jon Martin from FORECO, LLC for a tour of The Rocks Estate timber harvest operation in Bethlehem, NH. Pre-registration for the harvest tour is required. Please contact Tina Ripley at 224-9945 ext 313 or e-mail at tripley@forestsociety.org
GIS & GPS Computer Training Courses
Click here for the workshop schedule, beginning in Jan. 2011: http://extension.unh.edu/GISGPS/GISTrain.htm
Ecology & ID of NH’s Shrubs and Vines with Wildlife Value – SAVE THE DATES
Workshop will be repeated in 3 locations, each will run from 8am – 4pm and will be taught by Matt Tarr, UNH Cooperative Extension Wildlife Specialist and other County Forestry staff.
Feb. 23 – Westmoreland
Feb. 25 – No. Haverhill
Mar. 3 - Brentwood
Details and brochures to be available shortly – check our workshops page for the latest news.
Lowland Spruce-Fir Forest Workshops – SAVE THE DATES!
April 7 and April 8, in Coos and Merrimack Counties (locations TBA)
Saving Special Places Conference – SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kearsarge Regional High School, Sutton
Saving Special Places is New Hampshire's largest annual conservation event. Whether you're new to conservation and want to learn from the people who do it every day or you're an old hand wanting to network with colleagues, Saving Special Places is not to be missed. Check here for details as they become available.
RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS
NEW!! Good Forestry in the Granite State, 2nd edition
The big news this week is that the new edition of “Good Forestry in the Granite State” is hot off the presses. Every Coverts Cooperator received a copy of the green binder during your training...the new (maroon) version is now available, and has lots of new material, including new information on wildlife and habitat management. Our own Karen Bennett coordinated this mammoth effort with a long list of partners – congratulations to all on a great job. We hope everyone will help spread the word about this new and improved resource for landowners and everyone interested in forests and forestry!
About the New Edition
New Website & Online Version of the New Guide
Updated Tax Tips for Forestland Owners – a newly updated fact sheet that everyone who owns land should read
Wildlife Grants Available for Schools & Teachers
Teachers and community members interested in creating habitat projects on schoolyards, public areas or community lands can apply to the Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program for start-up funds. Grant deadline is Feb. 1, 2011.
Report Your Wildlife Sightings!
New Hampshire Fish and Game wants your reports about rare and common wildlife! To learn more check out this fact sheet or get started online at the Wildlife Sightings Database!
They Sawed Up a Storm
by Sarah Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension Forest Industry Specialist
A great new book by Sarah Shea Smith, Forest Industry Specialist for UNH Cooperative Extension's Forestry and Wildlife Program. Sarah will also be giving talks at lots of locations around the state – look for a talk near you! The book is available for $20 using this order form.
Monitoring Forest Pests by the Pool
Read about a cool research project completed this summer, searching for Asian Longhorned Beetles by surveying pool filters.
COVERTS NEWS
· I’m very sad to report that long-time Strafford County Extension Forester Don Black passed away last month. Foster’s Daily Democrat ran a nice piece about Don’s life. His family has established the Don Black Memorial Fund which will support forestry students at UNH. If you are interested in contributing to the fund, please make checks payable to the University of New Hampshire Foundation referencing the Don Black Memorial Fund, and mail to: UNH Foundation
Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824.
· Another Coverts volunteer shared with me this letter to the editor published in the Concord Monitor by Ann Davis (CC2005) about wood energy, biomass, and her perspective as a forest landowner in New Hampshire. Nice contribution to the discussion, Ann!
· Project Learning Tree, a well-established and respected environmental education program that workshop with schools statewide, is looking for a new Executive Director. For requirements and deadlines visit the PLT website.
