CONTACT:
Rachel Stevens: (603) 778-0015
Jim Oehler: (603) 271-2461
February 7, 2020
CONCORD, NH – Six all-new workshops have been scheduled for this spring based on the principles developed in the recent New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s publication Trails for People and Wildlife, a guide for planning recreational trails that enables people to enjoy nature while also allowing wildlife to thrive. The workshops will be held throughout the Granite State and will be hosted by partnering regional conservation organizations.
Intended for landowners, conservation groups, and natural resource professionals, the objective of Trails for People and Wildlife workshops is to help facilitate the placement of thoughtfully located networks of well-maintained trails that help people get outside while minimizing wildlife disturbance. While hiking, biking, and bird watching are just some of the ways people engage with their environment, these seemingly low-key activities can have a negative impact on wildlife by reducing their abundance, reproductive success, or even survival.
Preregistration for Trails for People and Wildlife workshops is required and is first-come, first-served. These free evening events are scheduled for the following dates in conjunction with local hosting partners:
March 4, 2020: UNH Cooperative Extension, Lancaster, NH – Workshop scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more and preregister.
March 11, 2020: The Forest Society, Concord, NH – Lunchtime workshop scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. To preregister and for venue details please visit https://naturegroupie.org/experiences/trails-people-and-wildlife.
March 19, 2020: Lakes Region Conservation Trust, Center Harbor, NH – Workshop scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To preregister and for venue details please email lrct@lrct.org.
March 24, 2020: Southeast Land Trust, Greenland, NH – Workshop scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Learn more and preregister.
March 25, 2020: Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, New London, NH – Workshop scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. To preregister and for venue details please email kheath@ausbonsargent.org.
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April 7, 2020: Milford Conservation Commission, Milford, NH – Workshop scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. To preregister and for venue details please email conservation@milford.nh.gov.
“Understanding where sensitive habitats are located on your property, such as vernal pools, can make a huge difference,” said Rachel Stevens, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Wildlife Ecologist. “We want to help ensure that wildlife will be there for all of us to enjoy for years to come while providing trail builders with the resources needed to achieve their public access goals.”
Trails for People and Wildlife can be downloaded and used by both private landowners and professionals to select locations for new trails and to determine where it is best to maintain, reroute, or decommission existing trails to optimize human experience and minimize wildlife impact. Visit www.wildnh.com/trails to read and print the entire guide.