BREAKING NEWS!

Wolfeboro Joins Moose Mountains Regional Greenways

Wolfeboro has joined Moose Mountains Regional Greenways as the seventh town being served by MMRG. Founded in 2000 and serving the towns of Wakefield, Brookfield, New Durham, Farmington, Milton and Middleton this membership-driven organization represents a dynamic collaboration between community leaders, private landowners, concerned citizens, and public and private conservation organizations. MMRG is very pleased to include Wolfeboro among its member towns. Michael Hodder of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission said, “The WCC feels that multi-jurisdictional alliances such as MMRG will become more and more common as citizens understand that their local environments don't end at their town borders.”

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Dan Coons Joins MMRG Board of Directors

Daniel Coons of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission has joined the MMRG Board of Directors. Dan is the Chairperson of the WCC and is a Wetland Scientist. Dan is also affiliated with the NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists. Previously Dan worked as an insurance claims property adjuster and continues to volunteer with several organizations including the Muddy Moose Trail Race which he founded and is a director.

Jappe Property Conserved in Milton Mills

With support from private donations, multiple federal, state and local government sources, and a bargain sale by landowner Howard Jappe, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests acquired 284 acres adjacent the Salmon Falls River in Milton Mills. The Forest Society will manage the land as one of its 160 permanently conserved forest reservations.

The property includes a mile and a half of frontage along the Salmon Falls River. The land has been traditionally open to public pedestrian access and will remain so. The woods road leads to viewpoints along the shore, where anglers fish and birdwatchers observe the numerous waterfowl. The 284 acres also include a productive 11-acre hayfield with fertile agricultural soils located on a ridge overlooking the Salmon Falls flood plain and the White Mountains to the north.

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New Durham Couple Donates Conservation Easement

New Durham, NH - New Durham residents Don and Gail Holm recently donated a conservation easement on 33 acres to the Town of New Durham. The generous couple has kicked off what the town’s conservation commission hopes will become an ongoing land conservation program.

"The Holm’s generous donation of this conservation easement gave the Town of New Durham the incentive to gear up for the long-needed task of stewarding its public lands," said New Durham conservation commission member Bill Malay. Malay was the project’s local champion.

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RECENT EVENTS

Climate Change Effects on Fish and Wildlife

Almost 30 people attended a presentation on climate change effects on fish and wildlife and their habitats. Eric Orff, a retired biologist, began by talking about how ice and winter conditions have changed over his 30 year span with NH Fish and Game Department. One of his first jobs was to check wood duck nesting boxes each winter. He began doing this on snowmobile and then gradually by foot because of thinning ice. In recent years the nesting boxes have been surrounded by open water all winter.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Branch River Paddle - Sat. May 30th

Join Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust (Branch Hill Farm), and UNH Cooperative Extension on a guided two-hour paddle of about 4.5 miles down the pristine Branch River on Saturday, May 30th.

Participants will embark at 10:00 a.m. from the intersection of Route 125 and Applebee Road (just south of Spaulding Turnpike exit 18) in Milton Mills. We’ll follow the Branch River 4.5 miles to the Salmon Falls River around Sandy Point, meeting natural resource experts along the way who will describe the importance of the river, wetlands and other habitats. Geoffrey Njue from UNH Cooperative Extension (UNHCE) will describe the importance of buffers in protecting water quality. Bob Craycraft, also from UNHCE, will show the role that bugs, mussels, snails, crayfish, worms, and other invertebrates play in demonstrating water quality. Deb Goard, UNHCE, will give a brief initial presentation as will Kari Lygren, Educational Coordinator of MMRG.

Paddlers will disembark on Branch Hill Farm conservation land for a picnic lunch hosted by Branch Hill Farm. Transportation back to parked vehicles will be provided.

All paddlers must provide their own watercraft and wear US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. All children must be accompanied by adults.

Pre-registration is required. Please contact Moose Mountains Regional Greenways at 603-817-8260 or 539-5899 or info@mmrg.info. Give us your name and contact information, and let us know how many people will attend. Registrations must be received by May 23. A $5.00 donation is requested to cover the cost of lunch, 12 and under are free.

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways is a nonprofit land conservation organization that works to conserve the most important natural resources of northern Strafford and southern Carroll counties. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. University of New Hampshire, U.S. Department of Agriculture and N.H. counties cooperating.

Edible Plants Workshop

June 13

On June 13 join naturalist Sally Cornwell as she leads us on a tour of edible and medicinal plants found in our backyards. Sally has been teaching nature programs for adults and children for over twenty years through the Libby Museum, in the local elementary schools, for the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and from her own home. She has led edible wild food walks along the Bridge Falls path in Wolfeboro, snowshoe tracking hikes in Sewall Woods for the Cross Country Ski Association, and trecks to a pond for the annual yellow-spotted salamander mating dance. A self-taught naturalist, Sally believes the best teacher is nature herself - up close and personal. This June event will be delicious! Rain date June 14. Keep watching for updates.

Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival

August 1

Our 7th annual, will be held August 1st at Branch Hill Farm in Milton from 10-3. Food, hayrides, animals and great learning experiences! Come for the day; we have several new events planned as well as popular favorites. To volunteer or become a sponsor contact Kari at 817-8260.