Nature in Your Backyard

  • butterfly on pink flower
a house with a tree and woodpecker

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]

Resources & Activities:

Forest Ecology 101

pine seedling

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.

Watch the Presentation:
 

Watch [Video]

Resources:

Landscaping to Attract and Support Wildlife 

backyard with a tree and bird house

“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.

Watch the Presentation:
 

Watch [Video]

Resources:

Identify Common Trees and Upland Invasive Plants

a hand touching an invasive plant

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. 

Watch the Presentation:
 

Watch [Video]

Resources:

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

a bee on a pink flower

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.

Watch the Presentation:


Watch [Video]

Resources:

Biodiversity:

Rewilding:

Bees:

Ticks:

Pesticide Safety:

UNH Extension Diagnostic Services:

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 .

Watch the Presentation:


Watch [Video]

Resources:

Insects and Diseases:

Invasive Species:

Tree Care:

Hiring an Arborist

There are numerous companies offering landscaping, tree care, tree removal, “hazard tree removal," and related services in New Hampshire. For the best tree care (for both trees and people), I always recommend working with a certified arborist AND doing due diligence to hire the right arborist for the job. It’s worth taking the time to talk to several companies and get several estimates before deciding who to work with. Arborists are not required to be licensed or certified in New Hampshire and it can be surprising to learn how many tree services don’t have a certified arborist on staff.

  • The New Hampshire Arborists Association and the International Society of Arboriculture both have voluntary certification programs, and some nearby states (Maine, Massachusetts) either require licensure or have their own state certification programs. It’s important to recognize that both ISA and NHAA certification are based on written tests and not practical skill application. Certification indicates a baseline level of knowledge of a broad range of tree care topics and a commitment to safety and best practices.
  • The New Hampshire Arborists Association (NHAA) has some good information about what to look for in an arborist and a list of New Hampshire certified arborists. The NHAA list unfortunately is only organized alphabetically, so I also recommend Googling “arborist [your town] NH” and doing a bit of cross-referencing with other sources below and reading reviews.
  • The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)’s Trees are Good site also has a “Find an Arborist” tool which has the advantage of being searchable by town/zip code and lists additional skills such as the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
  • The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) also maintains a directory of consulting arborists, who may provide a different set of services than other tree care companies, including things like tree risk assessment, structural support system installation, plant healthcare, etc. ASCA has a good breakdown of types of arborists on their website with a link to their consulting arborist directory at the top of that page.
  • The New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA) also has a directory of professionals. with the option to sort for those who are arborists (presumably this means ISA or NHAA certified, though this is not specified) and licensed pesticide applicators. I would recommend verifying that an arborist is certified using the NHAA or ISA directory, and ensuring that anyone applying pesticides is licensed by the NH Division of Pesticide Control, (603) 271-3550. 

Before Hiring an Arborist

  • Ask about professional membership and certification through NHAA, ISA, or ASCA, or company accreditation through TCIA
  • Ask for (and verify!) proof of insurance; a reputable arborist should have insurance to cover personal and property damage and worker’s compensation
  • Ensure the arborist you’re considering is familiar with the ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards (2023), the ANSI Z133 Safety Standard, and the relevant best management practices
  • Ask for (and check!) references
  • Don’t be afraid to get several estimates. As is often the case, the lowest bid may not be the best option
  • Have a contract that outlines the scope of work, specifications and standards, clean-up expectations, and costs

Tree Risk Assessment & “Hazard Trees"

Tree risk assessment is a specific service that an arborist may offer either as a stand-alone service or in addition to other tree care services. ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) training and methodology is most common in the US. There are a few levels of risk assessment, which are explained well here: https://www.bartlett.com/tree-risk-assessments.cfm (this is not an endorsement of Bartlett as a company, but they are among the tree services using TRAQ). TRAQ uses a systematic approach to assess the likelihood of failure for a whole tree or a given part of a tree and the likelihood of the tree/part of the tree impacting a given target. The combination of the likelihood of failure and likelihood of impact (combined “likelihood” rating) is then combined with the consequences of failure and impact to come up with an overall risk rating.

A complete tree risk assessment should always include a specified timeframe and will also include options for mitigating risk and an assessment of residual risk assuming mitigation measures are taken. ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment form, designed to be used for Level 2 Basic Risk Assessment, is available publicly for anyone who wants to check it out for informational purposes, but it should only be used by qualified arborists with TRAQ training.

Plant Health Care

Plant health care (PHC) refers to a holistic approach to preventing, monitoring, and treating health problems in trees and shrubs within their surrounding landscape. PHC incorporates the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and may include the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides to assist in controlling insects and disease. Not all arborists provide PHC services.

Anyone using pesticides or herbicides on a property they do not own needs to be licensed by the New Hampshire Division of Pesticide Control. You can contact the Division of Pesticide Control at (603) 271-3550 for a list of licensed applicators in your area.

Fire in New England's Forests: Historical Context, Ecological Benefits, and Protecting Your Property 

a forest fire

Fire has long played a role in shaping New England’s forest, changing species composition and structure, and in turn influencing wildlife habitat. Paradoxically, fire suppression over the past 100+ years, combined with shifts in climate, weather patterns, and past forest management practices, has resulted in increased fuel loads and subsequent risk of wildfires.

In the first half of this recorded session, we delve into historical fire regimes and ecology to learn how fire—and its absence—has shaped our current forested landscape. In the second half, we discuss why wildfire risk is increasing and offer actionable steps you can take to assess and reduce the risk of wildfire around your property and neighborhood while preserving forest and wildlife habitat benefits. 

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

Watch the Presentation:

Coming Soon

Resources:

Coming Soon

stone wall in the woods
deer fawn
large tree in the forest
birds on a bird house