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Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative
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NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup
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Think Blue Exeter!
Exeter has gone to the DUCKS! Exeter has launched a new educational outreach program about the harmful effects of stormwater pollution. Keep an eye & an ear to local TV & radio for the ducks & THINK BLUE EXETER!
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Street Team Needed!
PREP needs some street team volunteers to help us out with promotion & staffing for our upcoming events!
Could you represent PREP at the Clean Water Community Table at an event?
if you're interested in volunteering for PREP! |
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Welcome to Your Estuaries Partnership News!
Not only do flowers bloom and birds return with the arrival of spring but our research and science community take to the field for their research projects. Our fisheries scientists are knee deep in the rivers counting fish returns, our ecologists don their muck boots and wade in the salt marshes for restoration projects and boats are deployed all over Great Bay measuring eelgrass meadows and oyster beds. All around the Seacoast there's scientists conducting valuable research that we rely upon to make responsible management decisions not to mention use in our State of Our Estuaries Report.
This month's feature presents a tremendous opportunity for anyone looking to join in the science and research. The Coastal Research Volunteer organization provides fantastic opportunities for citizens to get out in the field and help collect data, conduct monitoring and help to build our collective understanding of the dynamic and fascinating watershed that surrounds us. Please consider joining in this valuable effort - we need YOU!
From all of us at PREP, thank you for reading and most importantly for caring,
 Jill Farrell Community Impact Program Manager
The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) |
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Feature Story
Get out in the Field with The Coastal Research Volunteers!
A new program has been launched in the coastal watershed and is looking for active volunteers! The Coastal Research Volunteers (CRV) organized by NH Sea Grant and UNH Cooperative Extension's Alyson Eberhardt is kicking off its 2013 field season with a full docket of projects and opportunities to get out into the watershed. The CRV is a non-advocacy group whose mission is to support and enhance local research and to participate in meaningful science and stewardship relevant to the NH Coastal Watershed. The group has been organizing for the past two years but with the arrival of Alyson has taken on a wider scale and purpose. The core goals of the program are three-fold:
Volunteers working side-by-side with researchersCreating meaningful, authentic experiencesIncreasing capacity of scientists to conduct researchThe projects folks can participate in are quite varied and all projects include volunteer training and varying levels of engagement depending upon the volunteer's time and interest level.2013's PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES: | | Collecting mussels for tissue sampling in the Hampton-Seabrook salt marsh |
Horseshoe crab monitoring
Horseshoe crabs populations and habitats are largely unknown in our watershed. Assist a UNH graduate student with monitoring 6 locations to better understand horseshoe crab populations within Great Bay. Read more about Helen Cheng's valuable research here.Glass eel/elver monitoringA requirement of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's fishery management plan for the American eel is active monitoring of populations. Volunteers are needed to work with NH Fish and Game to monitor the ingress of juvenile American eels (glass eels/elvers). With CRV volunteers, NHFG is expanding monitoring from one site to two. Read a great article from a citizen scientist who counts glass eels in New York from the New York Times.PhenologyWith environments changing through human activities including global climate change, we can track the seasonal changes, or phenology, of plants and animals to learn more about our natural world and how we can adapt to these changing environments.Volunteers will collect data on seasonal changes in plants and animals (e.g., migration, egg laying, changing leaf color) for climate change research. The data will be used by local scientists as well as by a regional and national network of scientists. For more information on the national phenology network click here.Oyster restoration
 | | Measuring oyster size in Great Bay |
Great Bay oysters can filter up to 20 gallons of water a day, keeping the water clean and healthy. Recently, Great Bay's oysters have been on the decline but, you can assist The Nature Conservancy and UNH in restoring 5 acres of oyster reef in Great Bay Estuary. Volunteers will work on cleaning recycled shell and counting and measuring spat (baby oysters). For more info on the oyster restoration efforts in Great Bay click here.
Future Projects on the Horizon:
Beach microplastics
The issue of global plastic pollution is growing, the expanding Pacific gyre and plastic bag bans across the country are bringing this topic to forefront. With this project, volunteers can work with NH Sea Grant/UNH Cooperative Extension and the Blue Ocean Society on a first of its kind research project in NH to evaluate the abundance and composition of microplastics on our NH beaches.
Sand dune restoration
It's been widely reported that the communities with intact sand dunes in New Jersey spared a lot of damage from Superstorm Sandy. Here in our coastal watershed our sand dunes can be found in the Hampton-Seabrook estuary. The CRV, if funded, will play a major role in restoring and enhancing the sand dunes and building a natural defense from future coastal storms. Volunteers will inventory and remove invasive species, erect sand fencing, and plant native dune species.
Stormwater monitoring
Stormwater has been researched as a substantial delivery method of the pollution entering our region's waters, but what exactly is in that stormwater? And when is it the heaviest? Are there locations where it's worse? Last year CRV trained volunteers in the Winnicut River Watershed and the Exeter-Squamscott Watershed to monitor their neighborhood storm drains. This pilot project is ready to be expanded to other communities; CRV can function as a partner in future programs to help seed local volunteer efforts and help with training of new volunteers. As our cities and towns face new federal permits for stormwater this service of trained volunteer stormwater monitors could prove quite beneficial.
This important work is dependent on volunteer help to be completed. What could be better than getting out into our gorgeous watershed with other community members getting your feet wet, muddy or sandy while conducting important and enlightening research?
 | | Volunteers monitoring ascophyllum on the coast with researcher Alyson Eberhardt |
For more info & to join the CRV visit their website or contact Alyson Eberhardt at alyson.eberhardt@unh.edu or 603.862.6709.
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Watershed Watch
Our Watershed Watch feature is dedicated to sharing our partners' and others latest research and reports. If you have, or know of a report you would like us to feature in an upcoming issue of Downstream, please contact us and we will be happy to include it.
Great Bay Nitrogen Pollution Source Study
By: NH Dept. of Environmental Services
In PREP's 2013 State of Our Estuaries it was reported that 68% of the nitrogen that ends up in Great Bay Estuary originates from sources spread across the watershed rather than direct discharges from "point sources", like sewer treatment facilities. So, 68% is considered "non- point sources" such as atmospheric deposition (air pollution), fertilizers, human waste disposed into septic systems and animal waste. But, what's what in this 68%? What's coming from where? After two years of work NHDES released this report in Mid-May that takes a stab at answering those queries. Overall, it appears that lawn and agricultural chemical fertilizer and human waste from septic systems each make up 27% of the total non-point source nitrogen respectively, 33% is from air pollution and the remaining 13% is from animal waste. The study used a combination of computer modeling, surveys, aerial imagery and peer reviewed research to determine the results.
Read the full report here.
More Habitat Means More Fish
By: Restore America's Estuaries
Habitats for fish go far beyond the big bays, like Great Bay or our oceans, some 600 species of fish rely on the small streams, tucked
away ponds and even wetland in the estuary for parts of their life
cycle. The more habitat we can work to preserve the more fish we will have to catch, meaning more jobs and more money into our local economies. This report looks at the relationship between habitat loss and species loss across the country and gives research facts and figures on the value of restoring different habitats like oyster reefs, eelgrass beds and small rivers. Check out this great, informative & highly engaging report here.
VIDEO: Water Blues - Green Solutions
By: Penn State Public Media
A new, interactive, multimedia documentary project telling stories of communities creating green solutions for our nation's water blues - flooding, pollution and scarcity.
"Floods. Drought. Overloaded sewers. Acres of pavement. Pollution. We're in a water crisis. Meet the innovators who are teaching America to "soak it up." America's deteriorating water infrastructure demands repair and expansion. Some communities are testing new solutions. Water Blues ~ Green Solutions tells the stories of visionary leaders in four cities-Philadelphia, New York, San Antonio, and Portland-who borrow strategies from nature to clean and protect water."
 | | Water Blues - Green Solutions: Trailer |
Explore the interactive website here.
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PREP's Clean Water Champion
Jen Kennedy - Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
 | | Jen Kennedy on White Island, Isle of Shoals, Summer 2012 |
PREP's Clean Water Champion is a monthly feature that
profiles people and partners working to make a difference around our watershed. This month we catch the very busy Executive Director of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, Jen Kennedy. Jen co-founded the BOS with a fellow whale watch naturalist when she felt frustrated with the lack of translation of open ocean research into information that could be used by the public. Jen's tireless efforts have focused on the health of the Gulf of Maine, particularly a special habitat called Jeffrey's Ledge. Based in Portsmouth, BOS has protected marine mammals by removing litter and marine debris from our beaches through regular beach cleanups, documented and educated on the varied and fascinating inhabitants of our waters, and inspired countless residents and visitors through their touch tank and shoreside education. We are so lucky that this fantastic organization calls the Seacoast home.
PREP: How long have you been a champion for clean water?
Jen: Unofficially, probably since birth! I grew up on Lake Ontario, so clean water to drink, swim in and as a habitat for animals has always been important. I went to Cornell and received a BS in Natural Resources. My career working around water started in 1995 as an intern and deckhand for the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company. From there, I did an internship with the Whale Center of New England in Gloucester (where I met Blue Ocean Society's co-founder, Dianna Schulte), and went back to ISSCo for several years before Dianna and I founded Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. Along the way, I also got my MS at UNH in Resource Administration and Management.
PREP: How'd you get started in protecting clean water?
Jen: Oops, I think I answered that above! But I remember as a kid having an interest in whales and the environment, and doing what I could to help.
PREP: What's your favorite thing to do with or on water?
Jen: Anytime I'm on a boat, I'm happy. But watching whales or other marine life is an obvious first choice. But I love swimming, walking on the beach and kayaking when I have time.
PREP:What's been your proudest moment as a clean water champion?
Jen: I'm proud every day of how Blue Ocean Society has grown in the past 11 years, and how much we have accomplished with such a small staff. It is really the thousands of interns, school program participants, and volunteers that has made that happen. But I was also proud in 2007 when Dianna and I received the Gulf of Maine Visionary Award.
PREP: What's one simple thing you would tell somebody to do to protect the places around the Seacoast they love?
Jen: Pick up litter when you're on a walk, at the beach or out in a boat.
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Land Protection Transaction Funds Now Available!
PREP is offering matching grants of up to $5,000 per project to assist with transaction costs for permanent land protection projects within the Piscataqua Region coastal watershed. Grants can be awarded to either qualified nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) conservation organizations or units of government.
Proposals due June 7, 2013.
The Request for Proposals instructions and application form are available HERE.
State Revolving Fund Loan
Pre-Applications Now Available!
The State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan pre-applications are now available to municipalities for all types of water quality related projects. This is the second year funds have been set aside for projects addressing stormwater or nonpoint source pollution problems.
This is a funding source to help address stormwater problems that you don't have the resources to fix.
DES will also hold a "State Revolving Fund Informational Meeting" on June 6, 2012 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
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 The Clean Water Community Calendar
As the Community for Clean Water, one of PREP's goals is to keep you informed on the latest outings, conferences, workshops and FUN happening around our watershed so that you, your family, friends & neighbors can get involved!
Below is our run-down for June. If you have, or know of an event that you would like us to feature in an upcoming issue of Downstream, please contact us!
Saturday, June 1st
Open Farm Day at Rustlewood Farm
11:00am - 3:00pm
Rustlewood Farm, 110 Wilson Rd. (Rte. 101), Kittery, ME
Come celebrate spring at Rustlewood Farm and experience the land that Kittery Land Trust is working to conserve with help from Great Works.
Bring your family and friends for some farm fun. Food will be available, but you're welcome to bring a picnic. Activities include hay rides, pony rides for kids, and cow patty bingo. And with some spring time luck, a calf might be born at the event, as it was at last fall's Open Farm Day! (Raindate June 2). For more information: Kittery Land Trust
Early Detection Rapid-Response of Invasive Plants -
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
9:00am - 12:00pm
The Nature Conservancy's Great Bay Office, 112 Bay Rd.,  Newmarket, NH
Join The Nature Conservancy and the NH Coastal Program to learn how you can help in a regional effort to protect the special places in our coastal watershed from the early invasion of five nuisance plants (pepperweed, garlic mustard, Japanese stiltgrass, ornamental jewelweed, and jimson weed). This event includes: training on how to identify these early invaders, instructions on how to report a sighting, and a work event to pull a nearby stand of garlic mustard. Please bring clothing and boots appropriate for working outdoors.
Check out the flyer for more details.
Powwow Pond Clean-up -
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
8:00am
Fish & Game Ramp, New Boston Rd., Kingston, NH
Join the Powwow Pond Council and pitch in to help clean up the pond for the summer season. Many hands make for lighter work!
Contact Diane Coll diane@dianetcollcpa.com for more info & to sign up to help.
Visit Powwow Pond Council's Website
Thursday, June 6th
Project Design & Evaluation for Restoration Workshop
8:30am - 5:00pm
Mather Auditorium at the Wells Reserve, Laudholm Farm Rd., Wells, ME
This workshop is geared to restoration practitioners and will provide valuable knowledge, skills and tools to enhance your ability to design targeted projects that have a greater chance of achieving restoration success.
Cost: $20
To Register & see full agenda visit the website
For questions contact Annie Cox via email acox@wellsnerr.org or Call her at 207-646-1555 ext. 157
Saturday, June 8th
Salmon Falls River Paddle with AWWA
9:30am-12:00pm
Salmon Falls River
Join the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance's Jeanne Achille and NHDES's Sally Soule on a wonderfully peaceful and educational
 journey. Learn how the water is tested and monitored in the river while taking in the gorgeous scenery.
Preregistration is required and space is limited.
Family Celebration of World Oceans Day 2013
9:30am - 12:00pm
Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH
Join the Seacoast Science Center and NERACOOS in a family-friendly World Oceans Day Celebration! Adults, spend the morning with national and regional experts to learn how ocean observations have shown changes in our ocean's chemistry. Join in presentations and discussions about ocean acidification, its impact on the ocean and ways we can help decrease this problem. Children, ages 5 and up, spend the morning with Center staff, engaged in fun, hands-on activities that teach about the importance of a healthy ocean.
The event is FREE, but registration is required to ensure free admission and proper programming for children.
Contact SSC Education Director Perrin Chick
603-436-8043, ext. 17 or Email
More Info HERE.
Wednesday, June 12th
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail on the Gundalow: Peter Wellenberger
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Join Peter Wellenberger, Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeperaboard the Gundalow Piscataqua for a sunset sail while learning about Peter's valuable work to protect and preserve the Great Bay Estuary.
Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 TWO WEEKS prior to the sail date to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Tuesday, June 18th
UNH Stormwater Center Pourous Pavement Workshop
8:45am - 4:00pm
UNH Stormwater Center, Durham NH
This workshop provides stormwater management professionals with the most up to date characteristics of successful porous pavement applications. This full-day training includes field visits to a variety of on-the ground porous pavement installations throughout the UNH campus and the region. Participants will learn key design principles necessary to successfully design, evaluate, specify, and install porous pavement for stormwater management.
Cost is $225 and includes course materials, lunch, transportation.
For more info & to register visit UNHSWC site, click here.
Wednesday, June 19th
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail on the Gundalow: Rachael Miller
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Join Rachael Miller with the Rozalia Project aboard the Gundalow Piscataqua for a sunset sail while learning about the efforts Rozalia Project is undertaking to clean up our waters from marine debris.
Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 TWO WEEKS prior to the sail date to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Northeast Regional Ocean Planning Public Meeting
4:00pm-7:00pm
NH Dept. of Environmental Services Coastal Office, Pease Tradeport, Portsmouth, NH
Have your voice heard on the future of ocean planning in New England! Three draft goals were developed by the Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and advance regional ocean planning over the next few years. The group is now looking for public input on these goals and future plans.
Proceedings from their first two meetings are available at:
NH Surfrider Beach Clean-Up
3:00pm
The Wall (12th St.) at Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Shop
STATE OF OUR ESTUARIES ROLL OUT EVENTS:
If your club, organization, neighborhood or group would like to host a State of Our Estuaries Roll Out Event in 2013, please e-mail us and we'll be in touch to organize a date!
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