Cooperative Extension - Coverts

- May 30th, Canaan, NH - Can We Enhance Bird Habitat? - 4-7pm

Upcoming Workshops - from birds to beetles!

efh5 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:20:29 +0000

05/16/2013 - 1:20pm

We've got some really exciting upcoming workshops scheduled. As always, check the Forestry and Wildlife Calendar for all upcoming events, but here are a few that stand out:

This workshop will provide exciting opportunities for very close encounters with birds (see picture for an idea of how close!). Join Tree Farmer and Plymouth State College Ecology Professory, Len Reitsma, on his property as he mist nets birds and discusses the habitats they frequent. This is a rare opportunity to see some of our most beautiful birds UP CLOSE! Len will also discuss management he's undertaken on his property. Please see the event flyer for more information and how to register.

- June 1, Durham, NH - Community Tree Farm Field Day - All Day

UNH was recently awarded the Community Tree Farm of the Year! Join us in celebrating as we tour some of the exciting management and projects taking place across many of the University's properties in Durham. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the hemlock woolly adelgid, new england cottontail habitat management, invasive plant control, and forestry with cows in mind... yes, cows. Intrigued? Check out the details on our website!

- June 5, Plymouth, NH - GIS on Pennies A Day - 1-4pm

Take a variety of full-functioned, free GIS programs for a test drive! After a brief intro to the software covered in this workshop, hands-on exercises will provide a framework to learn the basics of the programs, including how to create own maps, edit GIS data and do basic processing. Paritipants are encouraged to bring their own data to use after they understand the basics of the software.

- June 14, Portsmouth, NH - Identification of NH Trees and Shrubs - 9am-4pm

This intensive, hands-on workshop will focus on dendrology and field identification of common shrub species in New Hampshire. You’ll learn keys and characteristics of identification-leaves, fruits, twigs, bark and habitat-to apply in professional fieldwork, such as surveying, mapping, and wetland delineation. A hand lens is recommended for this workshop.

- June 20, Hancock, NH - Emerald Ash Borer - What You Should Know - 7-9pm

Steve Roberge, County Extension Forester with UNH Cooperative Extension will discuss the recent discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Merrimack County and the implications this will have for the Monadnock Region. Steve will discuss; how to identify the beetle; how to monitor and slow its spread; its impacts on the forest; the implications of finding it on your property.

Consider attending one or more of these opportunities!!

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Forestry Position Open at Extension

efh5 — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:35:58 +0000

05/02/2013 - 2:35pm

UNH Cooperative Extension has a job opening for a Forest Stewardship Program Outreach Assistant. The entire position description appears below. The deadline for applying is May 31, 2013.

Applicants must apply online at: https://jobs.usnh.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=53334 or https://jobs.usnh.edu/

Please share with anyone you think may be interested in the position!

Forest Stewardship Program Outreach Assistant Position

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

Job # 0901633

The University of New Hampshire is committed to creating a more diverse community, knowing that "inclusion, diversity, and equity are values inextricably linked to our mission of educational excellence."

Location: UNH Cooperative Extension located on the main campus, Nesmith Hall, Durham, NH

Summary

This is an 80% time, benefits-eligible position, including professional development, group health, disability, life insurance, and the USNH retirement plan.

Supervised by the Extension Forestry Specialist, this person assists in the planning, organizing and coordinating assigned reporting, marketing and educational activities for the UNH Cooperative Extension Forest Stewardship Area.

Application Review: Closing date is May 31, 2013 and application review will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Those selected for interview will be asked for three letters of reference and official transcripts. Background check may be required prior to employment.

Travel:

Travel required to site-specific locations for interactions with clientele, programs, events and meetings. Personal vehicle in compliance with all New Hampshire regulations and automobile liability insurance coverage also required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Report-related

1. Collect necessary reporting data, compile, analyze and develop reports for cooperating agencies and organizations.

2. Maintain necessary records and files.

Marketing-related

1. Develop and maintain exhibits, displays and other outreach materials.

2. Maintain, update and develop content for the Forest Stewardship Area's website, facebook, twitter and other social media.

3. Conduct public outreach and marketing on behalf of the Forest Stewardship Area in coordination with staff in the program area, UNH Departments with subject matter expertise, and UNHCE communication and marketing staff (e.g., via news releases, web presence, brochures, etc.).

Education-related

1. Coordinate the Forestry Information Center, including answering inquiries via phone, email and written correspondence, making appropriate referrals to UNH Cooperative Extension resources such as the Plant and Arthropod Diagnostic Labs, the Education Center and other staff.

2. Participate in the collection of data and/or conduct surveys on program activities for evaluation purposes.

3. Assist in the organization and delivery of seminars and workshops.

4. Assist in developing, designing, writing and editing brochures, reports and other educational materials for publication and distribution.

Technical Support-related

1. Maintain databases necessary for reporting.

2. Provide staff technical support as needed.

Other

1. Perform related duties as assigned.

2. Participate in professional development to maintain and enhance skills needed.

Minimum qualifications

1. A bachelor's degree, preferably in forestry, wildlife, environmental conservation, or related field.

2. Two years of experience in planning, organizing and coordinating educational programs.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

4. Strong administrative ability.

5. Experience working in a collaborative office environment.

6. Proficient in microsoft applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint) with an emphasis on the structure and function of Access databases.

7. Valid driver’s license.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

1. Familiarity with New Hampshire forestry and wildlife agencies, organizations and businesses.

2. Familiarity with other computer programs a plus (e.g., Drupal web software, suite of Adobe software, ArcGIS)

How to Apply: A full position announcement and instructions on how to submit an application for this position can be found on-line at jobs.usnh.edu Use job # 0901633. Cover letter and resume may be electronically attached with application. Computer access/assistance is available at the Human Resources Office, 2 Leavitt Lane, Durham NH 03824 or call 603-862-0501 (TTY Users 603-862-3227). UNH is an AA/EEO Employer. UNH is committed to excellence through the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages women and minorities to apply.

Inquiries may be directed to Karen Bennett at 603-862-4861.

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New Sullivan County Forester!

efh5 — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:20:31 +0000

05/02/2013 - 12:20pm

We are excited to announce that a new Sullivan County forester has been hired. Glenn "Dode" Gladders will begin with UNH Cooperative Extension on June 3rd. We're extremely excited to have him! He'll be coming to NH from Delaware, where worked most recently for the state as a Forest Health Specialist. He was hired strategically to extend our current Forest Health expertise in our Natural Resources Program Team. He has broad experience wtih survey, management and outreach for invasive forest insects and plants. He loves to teach concepts of dendrology both formally and informally and has worked extensively with Cooperative Extension educators and volunteers in Delaware.

We look forward to welcoming him to the state. If you live in Sullivan County, consider introducing yourself to him over the next several months with a walk in the woods on your property or town!

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New and Exciting Invasive Plant Resource

efh5 — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:53:12 +0000

05/02/2013 - 11:53am

New Hampshire Fish and Game has been working on a great new tool for communities to help combat the problems of invasive plants. They have worked with the NH Natural Heritage Bureau to develop maps for each town in NH showing priority areas where invasive plants removal will have the most immediate impact and most effectively protect our native natural resources in the long-term! You'll also find a customized “early detection” list of plant species just coming into each town and a “watch list” of plant species that are not present yet, but are lurking close by. These documents describe how to use this strategy to prioritize projects right down to the individual property or stand level; you'll also be able to see how the statewide model was developed.

Be sure to check out this exciting new resource!!

More information from their website:

Picking our Battles: Enhancing Success of Invasive Plant Control Projects

Invasive plants can cause significant ecological and economic harm and are changing the face of America. They may impact wildlife by choking out natural habitats such as freshwater wetlands, causing loss of available food, or altering habitat structure.

The importance of minimizing the spread of invasive plants across the landscape means they are a common focus of restoration projects. However, invasive plants know no boundaries and can easily reestablish from surrounding areas unless a landscape-scale strategic approach is taken to prioritizing control projects.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the N.H. Natural Heritage have teamed up with over 120 community members, natural resource managers and academics to develop a statewide strategic prioritization plan for the control of upland, wetland, and intertidal invasive plant species.

Only by working together on shared invasive plant “battles” across differing land ownerships and political boundaries, can we effectively protect our native plants and wildlife habitat in the long term. Thanks for being part of the team!

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Coverts Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

efh5 — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:26:01 +0000

05/02/2013 - 11:26am

Thanks to all those who came out for our Coverts Adivisory Committee meeting this year. Some of you may remember that we had to postpone the meeting, originally scheduled to take place during the Farm and Forest Expo, due to weather. As a result we met on April 19th, 2013 at Bear Brook State Park. We had a productive meeting in the morning, followed by a great presentation and field tour about the large timber harvest that occurred in the park over the winter to prevent the spread of Red Pine Scale. The invasive insect was found in the park's red pine stand late last summer. The Division and Forests and Lands was able to work quickly to harvest most of the stand this winter, allowing the state to capture the value of the Red Pine before it was all lost to the insect.

I was able to take minutes during the meeting, but forgive me if they are not particularly detailed (note to self: don't try to take notes and run a meeting at the same time).

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Emerald Ash Borer Update

efh5 — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:27:16 +0000

04/25/2013 - 2:27pm

Please don't forget to keep checking NHBugs.org regularly for all the latest news on Emerald Ash Borer. Of interest recently, there are two upcoming public meetings for those interested in learning more.

Topics covered will include background and potential impacts of emerald ash borer, the purpose and provisions of a quarantine that restricts the movement of all hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock, ash logs and other ash forest products originating in Merrimack County, the ongoing delimitation survey to determine the extent of the infestation, and an overview of available management tools.

Attendees can participate in a question-and-answer session following the presentations, and general feedback will be elicited to help guide the state’s actions as it moves forward with responding to the discovery of this destructive pest.

Please consider attending and spread the word!

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Workshops

Subscribe to Our Calendar!

efh5 — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:18:30 +0000

04/25/2013 - 2:18pm

Did you know that if you use a calendar application (Microsoft Outlook, Windows Calendar, Apple iCal, Mozilla Sunbird, Google Calendar, etc.) you can subscribe to the UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife Calendar? It's a great way to stay completely up-to-date on all the latest Extension workshops and meetings. Just click this link: http://extension.unh.edu/events/index.cfm?e=app.subscribe and use the link listed under "Forestry and Wildlife". If you choose to subscribe, let us know how it works!

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Workshops

Stewardship Network Update

efh5 — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:00:40 +0000

04/09/2013 - 5:00pm

For those of you who may have heard Malin Clyde discussing her ideas for a Stewardship Network in New England, here's an update from her on the status of the project:

I thought an update on our progress to develop a Stewardship Network in New England might be in order. Some of you are probably planning summer field seasons, and you may wonder about the status of the project we discussed at our forum last September in Greenland, NH. Thank you for your continued interest!

As you may know, in October, UNH Cooperative Extension and The Stewardship Network partnered in submitting a joint grant proposal to the US Forest Service Redesign Grants Program. We are happy to report that our proposal has been ranked #14 out of 116 proposals submitted in the Northeastern region. We are now waiting to find out the size of the Congressional appropriation for the program and whether our project is funded. Given the budget news in Washington right now, it's anyone's guess what might happen to Forest Service appropriations. But whatever the outcome, this ranking recognizes the value and importance of bringing The Stewardship Network to the New England region. Cautious optimism is in order! You can view the proposal rankings online here (under “FY 2013 Northeastern Area Redesign Projects”): http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp/index.shtm.

Funding to support UNH Cooperative Extension and a new Stewardship Network in New England was also included in a recent National Science Foundation proposal in collaboration with partners in New Hampshire and Maine. We await news of this proposal as well. Simultaneously, The Stewardship Network is working with private funding sources to expand their network into New England. Both UNH Cooperative Extension and The Stewardship Network are committed to this project, and we will continue to work to secure funding until we have success.

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in bringing the innovative, engaging, and collaborative approach of The Stewardship Network to our part of the country. Once we have successfully garnered start-up funding, we will be contacting those of you who are interested in joining an Advisory Committee for the project and get the ball rolling!

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2013 Coverts Application Now Available!

efh5 — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:53:09 +0000

04/09/2013 - 10:53am

Do you know someone who would be a great coverts volunteer? We love when existing coverts volunteers refer people to the Coverts Training, so send us your fellow conservation commission members, neighbors, and interested friends! This year's training is scheduled for September 18-21st, 2013 in Greenfield, NH and applications are currently available online!

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Volunteer Opportunities