January 2012 Archives
The Coverts Project collects all kinds of information about the work of our program and our 315 active volunteers. Did you know:
- Coverts volunteers work in over 130 different NH communities?
- Coverts contirbuted over 40,000 hours of volunteer time in 2011, valued at over $850,000?
- Coverts helped protect and conserve over 10,000 acres of land in
NH in 2011? - Coverts volunteers connected with over 100,000 people in 2011 - through conversations, workshops, walks, presentations, newletter articles, media outreach, etc.
These statistics and more are found in our Annual Report, available online. The 2011 report has just been posted - check it out!
or check out
- 2011 Highlight Report - a quick summary of the Coverts Project in 2011 (or click on cover at right)
Workshop Tomorrow! Tuesday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m.
Backyard Maple Syrup and Care of Storm Damaged Trees
Milford Blue Seal Foods, 274 Elm St. Milford, NH
Have you ever had questions about how to care for storm damaged trees and shrubs on your property, or had an interest in making maple syrup in your backyard? Join county foresters Steve Roberge and Jon Nute tomorrow in Milford for this great workshop!!
http://extension.unh.edu/fwt/docs/Milford_Maple.pdf
New Speaking for Wildlife Presentation will have test-run at training on Feb. 10
Location: NH Fish and Game, 11 Hazen Dr., Concord
The Speaking for Wildlife program will be offering a training workshop for new and existing volunteers on Friday, Feb 10 from 1-4 pm (with optional computer training from 12-1).
Click here to download a flyer about the training
A new presentation, "Landscaping for Wildlife," will be shown at the training, and volunteer feedback sought. 
"We need to hear from our future presenters about what works and what doesn't," says Extension staff member Emma Carcagno, who helped draft the new talk. Extension staff Matt Tarr, Mary Tebo, and Malin Clyde also had a hand in the new presentation. "I think that Natural Resource Stewards and Master Gardners will also be interested in this new talk," says Mary. "It covers a lot of ground - invasive plants, using native species in landscaping, Integrated landscaping concepts, as well as basic wildlife habitat principles."
Speaking for Wildlife is a program that trains volunteers to deliver natural resource presentations and walk in their communities. To learn more, go to:
Mark your calendars! Coverts Cooperator Jim Kennedy (CC08) will be hosting his annual Woodcock Walk at his property in Etna on Friday, April 13 in the evening. This is always a terrific program - with (almost) guaranteed woodcock sightings!
Jim reports, "We just finished some brontosaurus work, and (my neighbors at Huntington Hill Wildlife Management Area) did a lot of bronto work on the Goodfellow Road fields and around the main pond, so we will have a lot to see in the field."
More information TBA!
group announces another hike, scheduled for Sunday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. on the Samuel A. Tamposi Water Supply Reserve (SATWaSR) Conservation Land. Depending upon conditions, it will be a walk or snowshoe or cross country ski event and will be led by John Wallace. SATWaSR consists of 1435.6 acres in the southeast corner of Barrington and is town owned property with extensive wetlands and trails throughout it.
The Town of Barrington placed the property into a conservation easement in 2001. The acquisition of this valuable property was made possible as a result of a donation from the Tamposi Corporation and a grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services ”Water Supply Protection Program”. This conservation area is forever protected from development by a Conservation Easement held by The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
For more details about the hike as it gets closer to the event, check the Barrington Conservation Commission web site at http://barringtonconcom.org/ or contact John Wallace at 664-5974 or email him at Crawford@metrocast.net .
The successful candidate will serve as a front line contact for the users of our 2000 acre facility and educational programs. Responsibilities include answering phones, program registrations, tracking and follow-up with supporters, scheduling volunteers, database entry and use, and providing assistance to staff for programs, grants, and organizational functions. Click here to download Job DescriptionLots of winter workshops available. View more at UNHCE forestry & wildlife workshops page here.
Backyard Sugar and Care of Storm Damaged Trees and Shrubs
January 24 in Milford - Link directly to the flyer here.Annual Meeting January 28, 2012 • 9am-3:30pm Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Northwood.Mark your calendars for a day of good food, fun, and news of Bear-Paw’s land conservation efforts. The guest speaker will be Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Please pre-register at info@bear-paw.org, www.bear-paw.org, or 603-463-9400, so that Bear-Paw can provide adequate materials for everyone. For more information see Bear-Paw's website here.
Winter "Scoutland" Snowshoe Walk & Tour of Col. Paul Wentworth House, Rollinsford, NH Sunday, January 29, 2012 - 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Join the Strafford Rivers Conservancy and our co-hosts, the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) for a Winter Walk on the "Scoutland" property in Rollinsford. This conserved land is located on the Salmon Falls River and the walk (on snowshoes or boots depending on whether we get enough snow!) will take us along the Salmon Falls River and through the woods to end at the historic Col. Paul Wentworth House (www.paulwentworthhouse.org). There we'll enjoy hot cocoa or coffee, warm cider (with or without rum!) and other goodies provided by ARCH, SRC board members and volunteers. Families welcome. General Admission is $5.00 (no cost for children) and FREE for SRC or ARCH members. Please REGISTER HEREWebb Timber Harvest Tour February 4 - Sunapee Direct link to event info: http://extension.unh.edu/events/index.cfm?e=app.event&event_id=24980
Timber Harvest Tour February 18 – Grantham Direct link to event info: http://extension.unh.edu/events/index.cfm?e=app.event&event_id=24979
Hanover Conservancy Programs for Winter 2012
Snowshoe ramble at Balch Hill on January 21, led by Rob Harris of our Balch Hill Stewardship Committee. March 3 moonlight hike at Slade Brook. We're not sure which part of this annual favorite we love best - exploring the night woods or the bonfire afterward. We're fortunate to have a woods-wise group of able leaders, including naturalist Alcott Smith, the Ray School's Janice O'Donnell, and our own Hugh Mellert and Gail McPeek. Indoor Programs include a visit to Greensboro Ridge with our biologists on January 23 (7pm) as they present their discoveries at the Howe Library. In February, we'll host showings of Green Fire, the new and much-acclaimed documentary about legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold.
Conservancy trips are always open to the public free of charge - no registration required. Details are also posted on our website, along with reports from past trips.
It’s time again to begin planning for Discover Wild NH Day which will occur this year on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10 am- 3pm at Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord.
Our Coverts Project volunteers always do a great job staffing the booth at this large, family-friendly event - over 4500 people attended last year!
We need at least 4 Coverts Cooperators who can volunteer during the course of the event, split into two shifts: 9-noon (including setup) and noon-3:00 (including take-down).
Please email Malin if you are willing to help with this event! No experience necessary. No, you do not need to hold a falcon, like Nancy Cowan, at right. Email Malin Clyde here, or call 603-862-2166 to volunteer.
Thanks!
Coverts Volunteers Needed!
We have not held a meeting of the Coverts Project Advisory Committee for several years. As a result, we are seeking broad participation (e.g. any and all Coverts Volunteers!) in this year's Coverts Project Advisory Committee Meeting:
Saturday, February 4, 2012, 9:15-11:15 at NH Farm & Forest Expo
Directions to Farm & Forest Expo, Manchester, NH
We need your input on how the NH Coverts Project is doing, what we are focusing on, and how to grow in the future (particularly in an uncertain financial climate). If you can, please come to this once/year meeting and help us! RSVP to Malin at: malin.clyde@unh.edu or call 603-862-2166. RSVP by Feb. 30th
What's on the agenda, you ask?
- Update on Extension re-organization and how it may impact NH Coverts Project
- Speaking for Wildlife - statewide initiative
- Continuing Education for volunteers - new ideas
- Analysis of Coverts volunteers' impacts - 2011 annual report
- Workshop location - proposal to consider new locations
- Taking Action for Wildlife and the Coverts Project - intersections?
IF YOU VALUE THE COVERTS PROJECT, please help us by coming to this meeting! Email Malin Clyde to RSVP by Feb. 30
There are some good forestry/wildlife-related workshops being offered at the Farm & Forest Expo, Feb. 3-4, 2012 in Manchester. No signup necessary, but put these on your dance card! A complete workshop list is on the Farm & Forest website here.
Friday 2/3, 9-10:30 a.m.
Powerlines, Beaver Meadows and Other Shrubby Places: Critical Habitats for NH Wildlife (Pierce)
Shrub habitats have always been a component of the NH landscape, but many factors have contributed to their steady decline over the last 50 years. decline. Wildlife that require these shrubby habitats have also been declining causing many to be listed as species in greatest need of conservation. This presentation will provide an overview of the history of shrub habitats in NH, the wildlife species that require them, where these habitats occur today, and the important role private landowners can play in providing critical habitat for wildlife. Presenters are Matt Tarr (UNHCE) and Emily Brunkhurst (NH FIsh & Game).
Friday, 2/3, 1-2:30 p.m.
Field Trip 101: How to Lead a Nature Walk on Your Farm or Woodlot (Pierce)
There's nothing more engaging for people than being invited "behind the scenes" to a farm or woodlot, to hear directly from landowners about how they work their land. But leading a group can be intimidating. This workshop will show you that you don't have to be a naturalist or a professional to lead a great tour. We'll cover the basics of planning and delivering a guided walk or hike, including developing a theme for your walk, dos and don'ts, grop safety, and how to get the word out. Presented by Malin Clyde and Emma Carcagno of UNH Cooperative Extension
Friday, 2/3, 2-4p.m.
Is Tree Farming for You?(Hale)
Join Wendy Scribner and Andy Fast, Foresters with UNH Cooperative Extension, to find out what the New Hampshire Tree Farm Program is all about. Learn how tree farmers use their property for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. We will also discuss what is required to be a tree farm and what it means to be green certified under the national program.
Friday, 2/3, 3-4:30 p.m.
Buying Local Lumber (Pierce)
New Hampshire's forests provide consumers with a wide variety of wood products - from paper to fine furniture. This session will review the species of trees that grow in the state, who owns the forest, who works in the forest, the wood produced from native species, where it is processed, and how a consumer might purchase local lumber. This workshop will also describe the New Hampshire Native Lumber Law which enables local New Hampshire people to use local lumber in their construction projects.For questions on this workshop, please contact Sarah Smith of UNH Cooperative Extension.
Friday 2/3, 5-7pm
Chainsaw Operation & Maintenance (Pierce)
Jon Nute, the Hillsborough County Forester with UNH Cooperative Extension, shares tips about safe tree cutting and saw handling. Valuable maintenance tips will be offered as well. Feel free to bring your own saw for hands-on learning!
Friday 2/3, 5-7pm
Good Forestry in the Granite State: Recommended Voluntary Forest Management Practices for NH (Stark)
Good Forestry in the Granite State is a new book full of useful information for woodlot owners interested in taking care of their land. This workshop will help landowners interested in realizing the potential of their land. Topics covered include: creating a plan, growing and harvesting trees, improving wildlife habitat, keeping the woodlot healthy, and how to work the land while recognizing and protecting water quality and sensitive sites. Questions? Contact UNHCE's Karen Bennett.
Saturday, 2/4, 9:15 - 11:15am
NH Coverts Project Advisory Committee Meeting (Stark)
An annual meeting with the Project's advisory committee to review practices, brainstorm ideas, and plan for the next year. All Coverts Project volunteers welcome. For more information, contact UNHCE Project CoordinatorMalin Clyde.
Saturday, 2/4, 11:30-1:30pm
Exotic Plants & Wildlife (Hawthorne)
Fruits, seeds, and insects produced on shrubs and vines provide wildlife with the energy they need to breed, raise young, migrate, and survive winter. These plants also provide wildlife with cover they require for breeding and avoiding predators. Interestingly, many species of wildlife readily use non-native, invasive plants as habitat; but do wildlife select these plants out of choice or necessity, and do these plants provide the same habitat value and function as the native plants they’ve replaced? This presentation will explain and provide examples for how invasive plants compare to native plants in their ability to provide wildlife habitat. Contact Matt Tarr, UNHCE, with questions.
The NH Farm & Forest Expo is coming up on Feb. 3-4, 2012. This event, at the Center for New Hampshire in downtown Mancester, is a great event for landowners, farmers, forestland owners, and those interested in land and conservation in the state. It's fun too! Click here to learn about the Expo, including workshops and meetings taking place.
The UNH Cooperative Forestry & Wildlife Program needs volunteers to help staff our public booth. This is an informal and fun role - there will be a staff person there too, so no experience is needed. Just enthusiasm and enjoyment of talking with the public!
We need volunteers for the following time shifts:
Friday, 2/3 at: 1-3pm, 5-7:30pm
Sat. 2/4 at:
9-11, 11-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-4:45pm (includes cleanup)
If you can volunteer in any of these times, please email Kristina Ferrare: kristina.ferrare@unh.edu with your first and second choices. Thank you!!
