March 2011 Archives
Join Coverts Cooperator Jim Kennedy, host of this wonderful event!
Slade Brook Farm, Etna, NH (map)
Wednesday, April 13, 4:00 pm
The American Woodcock is a bird considered to be a species in greatest need of conservation in the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan. The "singing fields" and brushy habitat that woodcock need also benefit many other wildlife species.
At this workshop information will be presented to help landowners with young forest and field management, as well as a discussion on what assistance is available. We will also visit the Huntington Hill Wildlife Management Area, which has been managed for woodcock and grouse for over 25 years. The event will conclude with a walk at twilight where participants can visit local singing grounds to witness the aerial courtship display of this amazing little migratory bird!
Dinner will be provided for anyone attending the evening woodcock walk. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Friday April 8, 2011 to Jim & Deb Kennedy at 603-643-6446, or e-mail James.Kennedy@valley.net. Please be sure to indicate if you will be staying for dinner.
Stories from UNH Cooperative Extension's Forestry & Wildlife Program
A new report by the Northeast State Foresters Association describes the direct economic value of New Hampshire's forests - showing that in addition to the valuable scenic and other amenity values our forests provide, they are also an important economic engine. There are some great statistics that Coverts volunteers and other may find useful - check it out!
View the NEFA Report: "The Economic Impact of New Hampshire's Forest-Based Economy" Here
NEW Natural Communities Presentation now Watchable Online
As part of new trainings we are planning this year, the Speaking for Wildlife project will be recording and posting each of our four current presentations online. You can hear the author of the talk (and new book of the same name) Ben Kimball doing the voice-over with the slide show for "The Nature of New Hampshire." (or click on slide at right)
We should have all four Speaking for Wildlife talks ready within a few weeks. Other talks include:
- Birds, Bats & Butterflies: Keeping Common Wildlife Common in NH
- New Hampshire Bats and White Nose Syndrome
We hope the online recordings will be useful for new volunteers interested in learning the talks, and also helpful for communities trying to choose a presentation for their audience. Speaking for Wildlife Brochure (or click at left).
Through Speaking for Wildlife ("SFW") trained Coverts and Natural Resource Steward volunteers offer free public talks and walks to New Hampshire community groups. After a pilot project in the Upper Valley, we're excited to expand the program statewide.
If you think you might be interested in becoming a speaker (or inviting one to your community group!), stay tuned for a series of new volunteer trainings this year. Or email Malin Clyde to be added to our SFW email list.
Public Walk at Reney Memorial Forest, Grantham (map)
Saturday, April 23, 2011, 2:30 p.m.
Rain or Shine!
Join the Grantham Conservation Commission for a short walk through the Forest Society's Reney Memorial Forest, to learn about, examine, and explore a vernal pool at the height of amphibian season! Dress appropriately (waterproof footwear is good).
Saturday, April 16, 9am - 12, Madbury Town Hall, Madbury, NH (map)
Meet at Madbury Town Hall for an informative workshop on Vernal Pools with Matt Tarr, Wildlife Specialist for UNH Cooperative Extension Service (that's him, in the vernal pool at right!). After the indoor portion of the workshop, we'll head outdoors to learn more about the value of vernal pools and what types of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals count on this unique habitat to survive. This event is free and is co-hosted by Strafford Rivers Conservancy, Southeast Land Trust of NH and UNH Cooperative Extension.
Nanci & Charlie Mitchell, Coverts Cooperators from Gilmanton, featured in latest issue of NH Fish and Game's Wildlife Journal
The March/April issue of Wildlife Journal highlights many of the wildlife habitat improvement projects conducted by Coverts 
Cooperators Nanci & Charlie Mitchell at their Tree Farm in Gilmanton. There are great photos and lots of explanations about the importance of early successional habitat to species such as whip-poor-will, woodcock, bobcat, and many others. It's this month's sample story, so you can read and download the full article online:
"Giving Nature a Nudge" Article - NH Fish and Game's Wildlife Journal, March/April 2011
April 15, 1 - 4 p.m., Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, Greenland (map)
Our local landscapes provide valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife. You can enhance this home for birds, butterflies and other creatures using native vegetation and water features, while enjoying the
benefits of color, cooling, and sound. 
Marilyn Wyzga, author of Homes for Wildlife and coordinator of the
Project HOME schoolyard habitat program, will guide you through the process combining presentation
with hands-on field experience, including wildlife habitat concepts, inventory techniques and plant
suggestions. Find out how to create energy efficient, ecologically diverse, environmentally healthy and
aesthetically pleasing landscapes in municipal, residential or commercial settings. These landscapes provide multiple benefits including energy savings, buffer functions, improved water quality, and support
the wildlife we value.
There is not a charge for the workshop but registration is required.
To register or if you have questions call Steve at 778-0015 ext. 305 or email at
Steve.Miller@Wildlife.nh.gov to register.
Friday, April 8, 9am - 3:30pm,
Wolfeboro Community Center View Map
Learn to identify, measure, and record the biggest trees in the state with a fun team of folks who happen to think trees are great! The Big Tree Team explores NH looking for champion trees at the County, State, and National Levels. Join us in hunting for these living treasures.
Woodcock Habitat and Management at Slade Brook Farm, Etna, NH
Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 4-7:30pm followed by dinner & twilight walk
Coverts Cooperator Jim Kennedy (CC2008) will be hosting an evening workshop all about American woodcock. A talk by Northeast Woodcock Initiative biologist John Lanier will be followed by a field tour at Huntington Hill Wildlife Management Area. 
Stay for dinner (hosted by Jim and his wife Deb! A delight!), and then, when the sun goes down, attend the evening woodcock walk.
Jim's hosted this event in the past...the food, the company, and the amazing woodcock flight displays make for a great time. Save your spot today, since space is limited!
A new group of four brochures in the Habitat Stewardship Brochure Series are now available for landowners and conservation groups. The new brochures cover the following critical habitats, as identified in the NH Wildlife Action Plan: 
- Shorelines
- Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine Forests
- Headwater Streams
- Northern Hardwood-Conifer Forests
Thanks to those of you who helped find photographs to illustrate these publications - they make a big difference! New webpages are being developed to go along with the new publications - stay tuned!
View the entire Habitat Stewardship Series Online or Order Copies
In honor of the coming spring...
Coverts volunteer Mark Traeger (CC2008) sent me this link where you can watch a short video about how wood frogs freeze and then thaw in the spring. It's very cool!
Link to Wood Frog Video on Wimp.com
Workdays Planned for April 30 and May 1, 9-3pm
We're getting a head start on Earth Day! Doe Farm, a town parcel in Durham, needs the help of volunteers to help restore native plants. Get your garden gloves ready...we'll be pulling glossy buckthorn, a non-native invasive shrub that has taken over the understory of the forest at Doe Farm. Many hands make light work - we are aiming for 25 volunteers at a time - come for an hour, or come work all day. Please email us to let us know you'll be coming (for how long, which day). Snacks and water provided (but bring your own lunch if you are staying all day).
What: Removal of glossy buckthorn shrubs and seedlings to help restore native trees and shrubs
When: Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, 9am- 3pm both days
Where: Doe Farm, parking off Bennett Road in Durham, NH (map)
Who: Individuals, clubs, and community groups; school-aged kids accompanied by adults welcome. Work is physical, but not difficult.
What to Bring: heavy gloves, sturdy boots, long sleeves and pants (possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks)
Sign up to help! Email Malin Clyde: malinelyclyde@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Durham Land Stewardship Committee, Durham Conservation Commission, the Durham Trustees of the Trust Fund.
More about the Restoration Work:
Ecological restoration efforts at Doe Farm and other town lands are one of the goals of new Land Stewardship Plans crafted for several Durham parcels in 2010. Read about the Stewardship Plans online here: http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/Commissions/conservation/stewardship.html
Gilmanton Landowners Nanci and Charlie Mitchell highlighted in current issue of Wildlife Journal
Read about Coverts Cooperators and their wildlife habitat work in the latest issue of New Hampshire Fish and Game's Wildlife Journal Magazine (article by Linda Saucerman).
An excerpt:
"For Charlie and Nanci Mitchell, it was the nightly call of a bird that prompted them to begin cutting down 15 acres of trees on their property in Gilmanton."...
Lots of events around New Hampshire Maple Weekend. Find out more:
List of Participating Maple Sugaring Houses
Conservation Options Workshop Brochure
Grantham, NH, April 27, 7-9p.m.
The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, the Upper Valley Land Trust and UNH Cooperative Extension are offering an informative land conservation workshop to landowners and families. Andy Deegan, Land Protection Specialist, Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, will discuss the work his organization is doing to conserve land in the Mt. Kearsarge/ Lake Sunapee area. Phil Auger, a Land and Water Conservation Educator with UNH Cooperative Extension, will provide detailed information on a variety of permanent options with an emphasis on conservation easements. The presentation will also include information on new conservation related to income tax benefits and Federal Estate Tax, as well as news on state and federal programs that provide funding for conservation projects. Download Workshop Brochure
Pre-registration is Required: Call Deb at UNH Cooperative Extension
603-679-5616 or
email deb.stevens@unh.edu
Job Announcement: Easement Stewardship Manager
The Southeast Land Trust of NH seeks an Easement Stewardship Manager to join our team! This position is vital to the long-term protection and stewardship of more than 100 conservation easements protecting nearly 6,000 acres in southeastern New Hampshire. The position focuses on ensuring the long-term protection of our easements through annual monitoring and by building positive relationships with easement landowners. Position is based out of Exeter office with extensive field work throughout Rockingham County and supervision of volunteers. Qualifications include Bachelor’s degree in related field and three years related experience or Master’s degree in related field and one year related experience, excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, and the desire to learn and grow with our vibrant organization! The full job description is available at: http://seltnh.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=12&Itemid=22
Deadline for submission of cover letter and resume is 4:00pm on April 8, 2011. Electronic submission by PDF or Word file is encouraged.
Belknap County Forester Andy Fast Needs Your help for "A Walk in the Forest"
May 13, Meredith
Andy says, "
I have a "Walk in the Forest Field Day" planned for Friday, May 13, 9-11:30 am.m with the Inter-Lakes Elementary School in Meredith.
It would be great to have some volunteer help for each of the 4 stations (wildlife, tree id, soils, and forest measurements). If you have an interest in helping out, please let me know."
Contact Andy Fast, Belknap County Extension Educator:
603-527-5475 or email: Andrew.Fast@unh.edu
Coverts Project Annual Report Highlights
2010 was another great year for the NH Coverts Project. The program increased by 24 new volunteers hailing from 21 different towns, and Coverts Cooperators continued their amazing efforts to promote wildlife habitat stewardship in their communities. Some cool statistics from 2010:
- We have 297 active volunteers working in over 130 different communities in NH
- Coverts volunteers dedicated an astounding 44,328 hours of time to wildlife and forestry outreach in 2010 (by far a record!). Did you know this time is valued at over $900,000?
- Coverts volunteers collectively managed over 900 acres of fields as grassland habitat and performed over 5,000 acres of inventory work on their lands
- Coverts volunteers worked to conserve over 32,000 acres in 2010
The highlights report is a summary (see links, above). For the full story, you can access the full report: Coverts Project Annual Report 2010.
Operation Land Share
Do you keep your land open for hunting? Would you like access to signs that will help you manage other types of access on your land?
New Hampshire Fish & Game has a program, Operation Land Share, that assists landowners with issues that may arise with sharing their land with hunters. Landowners who enroll in Operation Land Share are provided free signs specifically designed to address the most common problems.
The only requirement of landowners who participate in Operation Land Share is that they agree to leave the majority of their property open to hunting.
Read more about the program and view the available signs at NH Fish and Game's Operation Land Share webpage.Coverts Cooperator Myra Ferguson (CC2007) suggested that many New Hampshire communities may be interested in two new publications by UNH Natural Resources professor John E. Carroll. Read more about each book in the links below:
Pastures of Plenty: The future of food, agriculture and environmental conservation in New England
THE REAL DIRT: Toward Food Sufficiency and
Farm Sustainability in New England
American Woodcock Heard in Durham - Monday, Marcy 14
I was out early this morning - still dark - and heard a woodcock peenting at a local farm in Durham. It's a sign that males have started to return to New Hampshire, and are laying claim to coveted singing grounds. A sure sign of spring! Anyone else want to share some signs of spring on the wildlife front? (Use the "comments" link, above).
Speaking for Wildlife Presentation now Watchable Online
As part of new trainings we are planning this year, the Speaking for Wildlife project will be recording and posting each of our four current presentations online. You can hear a voice over with the slide show for "New Hampshire's Wild History: 350 Years of NH Wildlife." (or click on slide at right)
Eventually all four Speaking for Wildlife talks will be online. Other talks include:
- Birds, Bats & Butterflies: Keeping Common Wildlife Common in NH
- New Hampshire Bats and White Nose Syndrome
- The Nature of New Hampshire: Natural Communities of the Granite State
We hope the online recordings will be useful for new volunteers interested in learning the talks, and also helpful for communities trying to choose a presentation for their audience. Speaking for Wildlife Brochure (or click at left).
Through Speaking for Wildlife ("SFW") trained Coverts and Natural Resource Steward volunteers offer free public talks and walks to New Hampshire community groups. After a pilot project in the Upper Valley, we're excited to expand the program statewide.
If you think you might be interested in becoming a speaker (or inviting one to your community group!), stay tuned for a series of new volunteer trainings this year. Or email Malin Clyde to be added to our SFW email list.
Invasive Pests First Detector's Training
April 7, 2011 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
at the Susan N. McLane Audubon Center, Concord (map)
The 'first-line of defense against invasive and introduced pests and diseases...we need you!'
Learn how to identify invasive insects, plants and pathogen threats to our forests and crops. Learn how to collect and submit specimens for identification. Become a member of a national network of First Detectors.
Learn more about the training and how to register here!
Rockingham County Forester Fred Borman Needs Your Help - April 20, Derry
Fred says: "I am planning a "Project Learning Tree Walk in the Forest" outdoor event with science teacher Gale Christensen for Wednesday, April 20 at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. We will have the usual 4 stations, Forest mgt., soils, Tree ID and wildlife.
Are any COVERTS volunteers available to help? That's a photo of Fred at right...you can tell he's a fun guy to work with! Shorts are optional for April 20th.
If you can help Fred, email Fred Borman, or call 603-679-5616 as soon as possible!
No matter where you live in New Hampshire, the actions you take in your landscape can have far-reaching effects on water quality. Why? Because we all live in a watershed, an area of land that drains into a surface water body such as a lake, river, wetland or coastal estuary.
Landscaping at the Water's Edge: An Ecological Approach, a book from UNH Cooperative Extension, explains how landscaping choices affect ground water and demonstrates how, with simple observations, ecologically-based design, and low-impact maintenance practices, you can protect--even improve--the quality of our water resources.
"This book will help you understand the basics of how watersheds and shoreland ecosystems function so you can use the strategies and techniques presented to help prevent soil erosion, nutrient and pesticide runoff, exotic plant invasions, and other detrimental processes associated with developed landscapes," Neal says. "Applying the principles of ecological landscaping will support wildlife and plant diversity and maintain or even improve water quality in our lakes, streams, rivers, bays and estuaries."
Download and View "Landscaping at the Water's Edge" Online
Land Conservation Workshop (click for more information)
Monday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:15 pm
Dover Public Library - 73 Locust Street, Dover NH 03820 View Map
The Strafford Rivers Conservancy and UNH Cooperative Extension are offering an informative land conservation workshop to landowners and families. Anna Boudreau, Executive Director of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy, will discuss the work her organization is doing to conserve land in the greater Strafford County area. Phil Auger, a Land and Water Conservation Educator with UNH Cooperative Extension, will provide detailed information on a variety of permanent options with an emphasis on conservation easements.
The presentation will also include information on new conservation related income tax benefits and Federal Estate Tax, as well as news on the state and federal programs that provide funding for conservation projects.
Pre-registration is required at 603-679-5616 or email deb.stevens@unh.edu
Sponsored by Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative
A wonderful weekend planned for anyone interested in the work of Aldo Leopold. Sponsored by Coverts Cooperator Carl Wallman and the Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative, there are three events planned for April 1 and 2nd:
- Friday April 1st: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Who is Aldo Leopold? Introduction and readings from A Sand County Almanac with UNH Professor Tom Lee. Followed by Potluck Supper. RVSP to Steve Bailey
- Saturday, April 2, 6:30-8:30 a.m. - Bird Walk, Woodcock Sky Dance, and Readings, with Carl Wallman and Ellen Snyder (former coordinator of the NH Coverts Project!)
- Saturday, April 2, 7-9 p.m. - Documentary Film: Green Fire, Aldo Leopold and A land Ethic for Our Time, at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, with discussion and refreshments to follow.
Learn more about Aldo Leopold Weekend with Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative
Coverts Cooperator Stephanie Barnes of Effingham, NH is the subject of the Nature Conservancy's online blog last month. It's a wonderful article with a great story to tell!
UNH Cooperative Extension's Geospatial Technologies Center has lots of workshops scheduled for March and April, statewide.
I've been collecting links to cool wildlife articles that I thought others might like:
- Small Woodlot Owners of Maine newsletter: articles on tracking and deterring deer
- Vermont Family Forests - a different type of forest certification, focused on local production
- Coverts Cooperator Ben Haubrich had his mysterious wildlife photo published in Northern Woodlands' What in the World is This Photo Contest!
- NH Outside article about roosting crows
- 10 Reasons Why Blogs are Better Than Online Newsletters...for you doubters :-)
- Woods Ghost: Bobcats Make a Comeback - in Northern Woodlands - great article!
- A Place for Wolf Trees - in Northern Woodlands - great wildlife resources in your woods!
Two more volunteers needed to help staff our booth!
Email Malin Clyde if you can volunteer to help! Choose your slot: 9-noon or noon -3
Even if you can't volunteer, bring the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H (map). Admission is free. See live animals, big fish up close, retriever dogs and trained falcons. Enjoy exhibits by dozens of environmental, conservation and outdoor organizations from around the state. Perennial favorites are hands-on activities for all ages, from wildlife crafts to archery and casting, plus a chance to get a close-up look at hybrid vehicles and discover other energy-saving, environmentally friendly ideas. Co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, with support from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire. More details at http://www.wildnh.com.
Would you be interested in sharing your enthusiasm for vernal pools? UNH Cooperative Extension is planning a new training for Coverts Cooperators and Natural Resource Stewards, to help you lead your own vernal pool walk in your town or on your land. These walks are always popular, they are easy to organize, and they are fun to lead! 
