CONTACT:
Michael Marchand: (603) 271-2461
Jay Martin: (603) 271-3211
May 15, 2025
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program has worked tirelessly to restore endangered species in New Hampshire, but these victories would not be possible without the support of Granite State residents and visitors. Tomorrow, on National Endangered Species Day, the Program is asking supporters to contribute to the 2025 Annual Appeal. The State of New Hampshire offers a $100,000 challenge grant to fund the work of the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, but to qualify the program must raise an equal amount in private contributions by June 30, 2025. These funds are also critical in order to meet federal grant-matching requirements. Visit www.wildnh.com/nongame to donate.
There are currently 51 species on the New Hampshire threatened and endangered wildlife list. Of these, 12 are also protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, volunteers, and landowners to conserve and recover these species. As one example, bald eagles have been delisted on both the state and federal endangered wildlife lists as a result of these strong partnership efforts. With continued public support through private donations, the Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program has led efforts that have successfully worked toward the restoration of populations such as the piping plover, Karner blue butterfly, Canada lynx, and Roseate tern.
“Once a species is imperiled to the point that it is listed as endangered, recovery is often difficult and can take many years,” said Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Supervisor Mike Marchand. “We are thrilled that bald eagles are now recovered in both New Hampshire and across the country and that we are having success recovering other species.” In addition to the effort invested in recovering federally endangered species, the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program and partners are investing in conserving a large number of species, before federal listing is warranted, such as Blanding’s and spotted turtles. The NH Wildlife Action Plan identifies actions necessary to conserve 169 species in greatest need of conservation, along with the diverse habitats in which they exist.
Historically, a few islands off the coast of New Hampshire known as the Isles of Shoals supported the most significant tern colony documented in the Gulf of Maine, which peaked at 1,500-2,000 pairs of common terns and 50–60 pairs of Roseate terns between 1928 and 1938, but the colony declined and was completely lost by 1955. The Isles of Shoals Seabird Restoration Project was initiated in 1997. Since 1998, through efforts of the NH Fish and Game Department and various other conservation partners, the tern colony has experienced significant growth. The colony at the Isles of Shoals is once again one of the most significant tern colonies in the Gulf of Maine. During the 2024 season, 131 nesting pairs of Roseate terns were documented and it marked the fifth consecutive year that common terns exceeded 3,000 nesting pairs on the Isles of Shoals. Despite the program’s tremendous success, there are ongoing threats to the tern colony that require continued management. To learn more about the Seabird Restoration project, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species/nongame-projects/tern-restoration-project.
To help restore species such as the piping plovers, Canada lynx, Roseate terns, and others, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking the public to support its 2025 appeal for its Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species to learn more about the program and to donate.