Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival is a Hit with Farmers, Foresters and Families

MILTON MILLS, NH — UNH Cooperative Extension and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways recently presented the Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival at Branch Hill Farm in Milton Mills, NH. Visitors young and old enjoyed guided walks and talks with nature experts, a live bluegrass concert performed by the Dave Geddes Band, and hands-on craft projects and demonstrations—all designed to provide greater insight into the natural world.

The next generation of Moose Mountains Regional Greenways members learn about the creatures that live in the Salmon Falls River at the annual Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival.

Crowds followed Dave Kellam of NH Estuaries Project to the banks of the Salmon Falls River, where he introduced visitors to the flora and fauna found along its banks. Back on the farm, nature experts from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center entertained and educated audiences with their lively reptile presentations, and volunteers from NH Fish & Game entertained kids with wildlife-themed crafts.

UNH Cooperative Extension Educator Don Black held court for a rapt audience of woodsmen at his popular “Working Your Woodlot” workshop. Participants learned how to identify the best trees for firewood, how to safely fell a tree and cut, sort and stack firewood. Elsewhere on the farm, UNH Cooperative Extension Educator and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways Board member Matt Chagnon cut round “tree cookies” from a slim pine trunk for a younger crowd to decorate.

Hayrides ran all day through field and forest, and farmers from Strafford County UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H and the NH Farm Museum offered information and insight about farming in New Hampshire. Live farm animals were in attendance—including the bull that dropped the winning “chip” at Cow Chip Bingo.

This unusual bingo variation featured an enclosed grass field as the bingo board. Players purchased numbered raffle tickets in advance, then waited for the well-fed cow to make a deposit. After an hour, the numbered square containing the largest “chip” was announced by Strafford County Registrar of Deeds Leo Lessard, who was called in to judge the event. Dave Schanzenbaker of Wolfeboro was the lucky cash prize winner.

The Forest Society led an informative nature hike through a property along the upper headwaters of the Salmon Falls River that the Society is partnering with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways to conserve. Meanwhile, the Wentworth Hunt led horsemen and women along a beautiful course through Branch Hill Farm’s fields and forests.

“This was our best year yet,” said Branch Hill Farm Owner and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways Board member Cynthia Wyatt. “We had a great mix of presenters and events—there was something for everyone. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our event sponsors.”

Trail day was made possible through the generous support of Branch Hill Farm and the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust, D.F. Richard, Downeast Energy, Eastern Boats Inc., Elbrys Networks, EOS Research, Middleton Massage Therapy and Acupuncture, Tumbledown Construction LLC, NH Estuaries Project, Ransmeier & Spellman, PC, The Siemon Company, W.C. Colbath Electrical Contractors, and Wentworth Hunt.

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways is a non-profit conservation organization that works to conserve and connect the most special undeveloped lands of northern Strafford and southern Carroll counties in New Hampshire. For more information, call 603-817-8260.

UNH Cooperative Extension provides New Hampshire citizens with research-based education and information, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that strengthen youth, families and communities, sustain natural resources, and improve the economy.