CONTACT:
Michael Marchand: (603) 271-2461
December 10, 2024

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, which was established in 1988, is the steward of the state’s nongame wildlife. The program works in cooperation with other state agencies and organizations to develop and implement effective conservation strategies to protect and enhance these diverse wildlife species. The Nongame Program, which relies on private donations, is once again seeking tax-deductible donations by December 31, 2024. To donate, please visit https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species/donate-nongame-program.

In addition to directly funding its work, the Nongame Program also uses donations from the public to help as match in order to receive state and federal grants to support its mission. Nongame staff work to protect over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians as well as thousands of insects and invertebrates. Each year the program must raise $100,000 through private contributions to receive a matching grant from the state.

“We could not do this important work of protecting the diversity of species in New Hampshire without public support,” said Nongame Program Supervisor Michael Marchand. “Our wildlife and its habitat is one of the reasons that people visit and live in our beautiful state and it is becoming ever more critical that we preserve this rich legacy for future generations to enjoy.”

This year is especially significant for the Nongame Program, which is leading the extensive process of revising the state’s Wildlife Action Plan, an assessment of the health of New Hampshire’s wildlife and habitats and a blueprint for conserving them. The New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan is essential because it lays the framework for protecting wildlife and habitats facing threats, while also defining the specific actions needed to ensure that common species remain common. This plan provides a strategic vision for conserving the Granite State’s most vulnerable wildlife species and habitats so that the Nongame Program and its partners and stakeholders can participate in essential conservation efforts. The next several months will be critical because staff will be updating the species and habitat assessments using the best available science and incorporating information from various stakeholders and the public to develop effective and strategic conservation actions.

For more information about the NHFG Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, its projects, and funding mechanisms, visit www.wildnh.com/nongame.