Nature in Your Backyard

Resources for Smaller Acreage Landowners

Owners of even just a few acres can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices, as outlined in The Nature in Your Backyard Series. These resources are specifically curated (though not exclusively) for smaller landowners with properties under 20 acres. Whether you have woods in your backyard or a larger woodlot, your land can support wildlife, protect water quality, produce firewood and other forest products, and offer recreational opportunities. From adding native plants to your yard and enhancing bird habitat, to assessing tree health or cutting trees for firewood, these resources will guide you in becoming a better steward of your property.

Upcoming Workshops

Questions? Contact Lindsay Watkins at Lindsay.Watkins@unh.edu or 603-749-2529 ext. 704.

Workshop Recordings & Resources

Get to Know Your Property

woman standing in the woods wearing a hat and backpack

Individual parcels can have a real impact when it comes to providing habitat for wildlife and protecting natural resource values and functions. In this recorded presentation, we will help you identify what is important to you about your land and begin collecting information about what is currently there. Have you outlined your goals for your property? Are you familiar with your property’s boundaries and possible legal constraints? We will help you inventory what you have and get you to explore how your property fits into the broader landscape. We’ll help you map your property, identify actions you can take to help you meet your goals, and set reasonable expectations.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below.

Watch the Presentation:

Watch [Video]

Presentation Slides

Resources & Activities:

Forest Ecology 101

New Hampshire is home to more than 80 native tree species and a variety of forest types, from the boreal spruce-fir forests of the White Mountains to the Appalachian oak-pine forests found in the southern part of the state. In this recorded presentation, we’ll discuss how factors such as individual species adaptations, soils, topography, climate, natural disturbances, human land use history, and species interactions have shaped the forests we see today. With an understanding of the fundamentals of forest ecology and why trees grow where they do, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate and enhance the trees and forests in your backyard.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below (coming soon!)

Watch the Presentation:

Coming Soon

Resources:

Coming Soon

Landscaping to Attract and Support Wildlife

“An abundance of wildlife” is one of the best indicators of an ecologically well-designed landscape. By understanding how pollinators, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians select their habitats during each season of the year, we can design landscapes that effectively attract and support a diversity of wildlife. This recorded presentation will provide practical methods for how to design your landscaping to attract and benefit a diversity of wildlife species.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below (coming soon!)

Watch the Presentation:

Coming Soon

Resources:

Coming Soon

Identify Common Trees and Upland Invasive Plants

Identification of trees and shrubs is an important skill in managing your land or learning more about the natural world around you. During this recorded presentation you will learn some essential tools used in identifying different woody plants, and how to apply these skills to common trees and upland invasive plants that occur throughout New Hampshire. This session will cover tips and clues for identifying woody plants in all seasons, not just when leaves are out. In addition to foliage, we will discuss clues such as overall plant shape, branching patterns, buds, bark, smell, taste, cones, fruits, and habitat. This session will spend about two-thirds of the time on native tree identification and one-third of the time on upland invasive tree and shrub identification.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below (coming soon!)

Watch the Presentation:

Coming Soon

Resources:

Coming Soon

Buzz and Balance: Rewilding Your Backyard to Support Pollinators While Minimizing Tick Encounters

Explore what it means to live closer to nature by rewilding your backyard to support pollinators like bees while managing the risk posed by tick encounters. In this recorded presentation, learn how to design a yard that nurtures wildlife, promotes biodiversity, and provides a safe environment for your family. We’ll cover practical strategies for creating pollinator-friendly spaces with native plants and tips for managing tick populations. Whether your goal is to attract more bees, create a more sustainable landscape, or balance benefits for pollinators with tick safety, this session will provide you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions as you transform your landscape into a haven for wildlife and your loved ones.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below (coming soon!)

Watch the Presentation:

Coming Soon

Resources:

Coming Soon

Keep Your Trees and Forests Healthy

a tree impacted by emerald ash borer with missing bark

In this recorded presentation, we’ll cover some of the more common insect and disease issues in New Hampshire’s trees and forests, including diagnosis and control options. We will also discuss invasive plants, the challenges they present, and management techniques. Trees near homes, power lines, and other frequently used spaces can raise concerns about tree health and risk. We’ll discuss how to promote the development of structurally stable trees through proper tree care practices as well as some of the considerations involved with assessing the health and stability of trees in more developed landscapes.

You can access the recorded presentation and associated resources by visiting the links below (coming soon!)