|
NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup
|
|
Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative
|
|
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!
|
|
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! |
|
Welcome to Your Estuaries Partnership News!
New England in the summer time - long days, hot beaches, cool swims. We hope you're enjoying the start to summer and you've gotten out into our wonderful estuary to soak up the sweetest of seasons. Please share your adventures with us on our Facebook page - we love to see shots of folks enjoying the fabulous places we work to protect.
This month we're heading up north to the headwaters of our watershed, 40+ miles north from the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth to the Great East Lake, Province Lake, Lovell Lake, Wilson & Horn Ponds and more in Wakefield, New Hampshire and Acton, Maine. The tireless work of our partners, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance helps to keep our headwaters protected and clean so that those of us downstream can enjoy clean, healthy, swimmable waters. MMRG & AWWA are a big part of the Community for Clean Water and we're lucky to have them here in our watershed!
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) |
|
Feature Story
Update from the Headwaters
Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance - Engaging Students in Pollution Control
The headwaters of the Great Bay estuary form in Wakefield, NH and Acton, Maine. A series of lakes and ponds converge to form the Salmon Falls River which flows south, meets with the Cocheco River to form the mighty Piscataqua River and that flows south into Little Bay, Great Bay and/or out into the Atlantic. Not only does water flow south through the watershed but so does pollution, soils that have eroded and nutrients. Actions to prevent pollution at the headwaters are vitally important to addressing pollution problems downstream so as to avoid an even larger cumulative effect.
The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) has been working on preventing pollution in the headwaters lakes, ponds, rivers and streams since 2005. With the help of the NH Dept. of Environmental Services Watershed Assistance Grant Program AWWA formed the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in 2006.
 | | The 2013 AWWA Youth Conservation Corps |
The YCC is starting their 8th season this year installing erosion control Best Management Practices (BMPs) on lakefront properties in Wakefield and Acton. The YCC provides local youth with summer jobs and gives the students an opportunity to learn about lake health, develop essential job skills and be part of a team that is doing meaningful and necessary work. The crew leads a tour of the project sites at the end of the season and their pride in their work is very evident. This year's tour will be on Friday, August 16th (Time & Location will be announced on AWWA's website).
 | | Waterbars & Erosion Control Mulch installed by the YCC on Great East Lake |
Over the past 7 field seasons, the YCC has installed 476 BMPs (e.g. infiltration trenches; waterbars; erosion control mulch, rain gardens) on 10 waterbodies. The erosion control BMPs were installed at 123 project sites. AWWA also provided another 230 technical assistance designs to homeowners interested in doing their own work. The projects that have been completed have stopped an estimated 244 tons of sediment and 207 lbs. of phosphorus from entering the lakes annually.
Moose Mountain's Regional Greenways Gets a Big Win for Land Protection
Another effective method for preventing pollution into headwater streams is to conserve and protect the land surrounding the waterways. In Wakefield, NH there's a new 122-acre Wildlife Management Area. It was through the collaborative work of NH Fish & Game, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), the Town of Wakefield Conservation Commission and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests that this land protection project was brought to fruition. NH Fish & Game acquired the property to protect its outstanding wildlife and water resources and to provide the public with recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, hiking and more. The property brings protection to more than a mile of shoreline on the Branch River and Union Meadows.
 | | A carpet of bluets on the trail into Union Meadows. Photo by V. Long |
"The Branch River is home to the bridle shiner, a state threatened species, and the lower stretch of the river along the property is great waterfowl habitat, as is all of Union Meadows," said Rich Cook, a N.H. Fish and Game land agent. "This property has been identified in the state's Wildlife Action Plan as the highest ranked habitat in the State by ecological condition."
Funds for the purchase came from a variety of sources. MMRG helped write grants to raise funds for purchase of the property and also contributed more than $18,000 from its own conservation fund to cover expenses for surveys, appraisals, and legal work. Other funders were N.H. Fish and Game, which allocated $100,000 of federal Wildlife Restoration funds to the purchase; the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), which awarded a $50,000 grant for the project; and the PREP Land Conservation Transaction Grant Program, which provided $4,000.
Want to visit this little spot of paradise? The trail entrance is off Marsh Road in Wakefield right next to the bridge over the Branch River. Limited parking on the street. Marsh Road is a dirt road off of Whippoorwill Rd which is off Rte 153 between the villages of Union and Sanbornville.
|
|
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.
Film: Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn in a New Era in Ocean Stewardship
By: Blue Planet Productions
Click on the video to watch
In 2010 President Obama established the nation's first National Ocean Policy in order to protect, maintain and restore our ocean, coastal and Great Lakes natuaral resources for present and future generations. The best way to manage our oceans for the present and future is through stakeholder-driven, innovative planning and cross-sector, unlikely collaborations. This film is a condensed version of a 90-minute full-length film and features on-the-ground reporting from places across the country that are at the forefront of implementing promising new approaches to ocean and coastal management.
New England is leading the way on developing a regional approach to ocean planning. Stay tuned with the efforts of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council as they develop the way forward for New England's oceans. Check out their website for upcoming meetings & PLEASE VOICE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEWLY DEVELOPED DRAFT GOALS. Public Comment Period Ends mid-July.
Infographic: Sea Level Rise & Global Warming
By: Union of Concerned Scientists
This infographic created by the Union of Concerned Scientists visually shows the accelerating rate of sea level rise, especially along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Along the East Coast, changes in the path and strength of ocean currents are contributing to faster-than-average sea level rise.
Click on the Infographic to expand
Read the full facts & science behind the graphic here.
|
|
PREP's Clean Water Champion
Candace Dolan - Hodgson Brook Restoration Project and the Southeast Watershed Alliance
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 tracked down the ever-busy, ever-awesome Director of the Hodgson Brook Restoration Project, Candace Dolan. Candace has been working tirelessly on protecting and improving water quality in the Seacoast region for over 20 years. Serving on the board of the Southeast Watershed Alliance and being a vocal advocate for the Hampton-Seabrook estuary Candace's long-term effect on our environment is nothing short of incredible. Candace has a strong belief in the power of collaboration and cooperation so she puts a lot of effort into bringing in new and varied partners on her efforts and is always inspiring new citizens and homeowners to join in the purpose, be it through installing a rain garden on their property or convincing a local business to install a tree box filter in their parking lot. If we could clone Candace, we would - she is the epitome of what it means to be a clean water champion.
 | | Candace with her car - talk about getting the word out! |
PREP: How long have you been a champion for clean water?
Candace: Well to be honest the first time someone asked me to help with a water quality project I thought water quality sounded really boring but was I wrong! It has been almost 20 years and it has become more challenging every year.
PREP: How'd you get started in protecting clean water?
Candace: Back in 1995 I began helping with a citizen science group named "Great Bay Watch" . One of my first tasks was to help NH DES with a pollution source identification study along the coast and into Great Bay. This meant getting up really early in the morning and traipsing around the marshes and river banks locating pipes and outfalls and collecting water samples to be tested for bacteria. As a kid who grew up on Hampton / Seabrook Harbor it was the first time I had a chance to even see Great Bay and defiantly the first time I had a chance to think about water pollution being an issue. Then in 2006, I was brought in to manage the Hodgson Brook Restoration Project in Portsmouth. This small urban brook is a poster child for all that is is bad about impervious roads, parking lots and roof tops. There was an immediate and huge learning curve that came with championing changes to regulations and installing small and large scale stormwater treatment systems in established neighborhoods. It is never dull when you are working with great people and there are a lot of great people, city staff and residents in the city of Portsmouth.
PREP: What's your favorite thing to do with or on water?
Candace: I love to be out off the coast on a boat as the sun comes up. The first light is so clear and bright and the day always looks so promising. The next best thing is paddling at night through the marsh.
PREP:What's been your proudest moment as a clean water champion?
Candace: I appreciate the way my two interests clean water and phytoplankton go hand in hand. There is evidence in some cases increases in harmful algal blooms (more commonly known as red tides) in both fresh and salt water can be related to poor water quality. We have been monitoring NH Coastal waters for red tides since 1999 so to be able to connect adults and students to the critical importance of both and then link them together is extremely satisfying. Two students who were volunteer phytoplankton monitors for me during high school are now working on their PhD's in the field. I believe I am as proud of them as their parents are!
PREP: What's one simple thing you would tell somebody to do to protect the places around the Seacoast they love?
Candace: Get engaged ...learn about the issues and get involved. We need thoughtful, educated individuals who are willing to consider all sides of the issues and push for balanced solutions for all our coastal areas.
To learn more about the Hodgson Brook Restoration Project & how you can volunteer with them visit their website
|
|
2013 Integrated Habitat Monitoring
This season PREP is pleased to announce a new partnership in our annual effort to gather field data on eelgrass, salt marsh, macro algae and oysters. PREP and six communities participating through the Municipal Coalition have pledged support of $30,000 for the acquisition of high resolution imagery, ground-truthing and photo interpretation services. The data will be useful in understanding the full range of habitats we monitor.
Stay tuned for more on this summer-season project, and a big thank you to our community partners for making this possible!
|
 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 July. If you have, or know of an event that you would like us to feature in an upcoming issue of Downstream, please contact us!
NH Surfrider Beach Clean-Up
The Wall (12th St.) at Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Shop
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail aboard the
Gundalow with UNH Stormwater Center
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Join Jamie Houle, Program Manager for UNH Stormwater Center aboard the Gundalow Piscataqua for a sunset sail while learning about up to date solutions to pollution. Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail aboard the Gundalow with  Heather Ballestero from UNH
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Dr. Ballestero will discuss the fate of oil after it's spilled in marine environments and the human dimensions of oil spills. Specific examples will include the Arctic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Paddle the Salmon Falls River with AWWA
9:00am - 3:00pm
Launching spot on Hopper Rd., Acton, Maine, 1/2 mi. North of the Dam
This is a terrific opportunity to learn about the plants that live in the river and how to spot problem invaders. Laurie Callahan and Melissa Brandt of the York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP) will lead a morning workshop and an afternoon paddle session. During the morning workshop, from 9-12, attendees will learn about invasive aquatic species of concern in southern Maine and New Hampshire and basic identification techniques - with a PowerPoint presentation and some live plant samples. Then, during the afternoon paddle, the group will head out onto the river from 1-3 to see what's there and to use their "new-found" knowledge - checking plants that we see to determine if they are native species or ones we need to suspect as possible invaders. YCIASP is a grant funded project sponsored by York County Soil & Water Conservation District. Lunch will be provided. (Paddling portion rain date is Friday, July 19.)
Preregistration is required for all paddles and space is limited so call or email AWWA today - (603) 473-2500 or info@AWwatersheds.org.
Wednesday, July 17th
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail aboard the Gundalow with Ray Grizzle (UNH) & Ray Konisky (The Nature Conservancy)
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
UNH Zoology Professor Ray Grizzle joins Ray Konisky, marine conservation ecologist for The Nature Conservancy, with an update on oyster restoration and other efforts to protect the estuary.
Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Wednesday, July 17th
GBNERR's Bayviews Program: Wild Edibles
7:00pm
Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland
Russ Cohen and his wife Ellen have hosted eight "Harvest Parties" for which they prepared several dozen dishes (appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, desserts, condiments, and hot and cold beverages), utilizing wild ingredients they foraged for themselves! Learn how!
Free (donations accepted). Light refreshments served. No registration required.
For more info visit GBNERR's Website.
Thursday, July 18th
Paddle the Salmon Falls River with AWWA
9:30am - 12:00pm
Launching Spot on Hopper Rd., Acton, Maine, 1/2 mile north of the dam
Join AWWA's Linda Schier and members of the Salmon Falls  Watershed Collaborative as they explore the midsummer river activity and share stories about the work they are doing to protect the river from its headwaters to the sea. The Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative, an ambitious inter-state effort to protect drinking water supplies for more than 47,000 residents in Maine and New Hampshire, has been named a 2012 U.S. Water Prize award winner by The Clean Water America Alliance.
Preregistration is required for all paddles and space is limited so call or email AWWA today - (603) 473-2500 or info@AWwatersheds.org.
Saturday, July 20th
Aerial Bug Squad: Bats!
7:00pm-8:30pm
Summit of Mount Agamenticus, Cape Neddick, ME
Join the Center for Wildlife at the Summit of Mount A. for a new view of bats from their natural history to their unique physique, study bats and their impact on New England ecology. Play a game of "Bat & Moth" & use a sonar detector to find them in flight.
Monday, July 222nd
Managing Stormwater in Your Community
9:00am
City of Somersworth, NH
Join the Wells Reserve Coastal Training Program (CTP) and the City of Somersworth NH's City Planner Dave Sharples on a guided tour through the city examining examples of sustainable development practices that will reduce polluted runoff from developed areas. Mr. Sharples will explain benefits and hardships Somersworth faced along the way with adopting and implementing Low Impact Development (LID). Including: feasibility, funding and gaining support in the area.
Tuesday, July 23rd
Water, Weather, Climate & Community Workshop VII: How is Climate Change Affecting NH's Wildlife Right Now?
5:00pm-8:30pm
Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland, NH
Workshop is FREE, but space is limited. A light dinner will be provided.
Wednesday, July 24th
Contemporary Coastal Issues Sail on the Gundalow with Rachel Rouillard from PREP
Evenings throughout the summer
Gundalow docks, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
This series is FREE FOR TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Join PREP's own Rachel Rouillard aboard the Gundaow Piscataqua for a sunset sail in the estuary. Learn about PREP's monitoring work, our State of Our Estuaries Report & the "What you can Do" tips for keeping the places we love clean & healthy.
Call the Gundalow Office 603-433-9505 TWO WEEKS prior to the sail date to reserve your spot on these cruises.
Land Conservation & Estate Planning Workshop
7:00pm-9:00pm
New Durham Public Library, New Durham, NH
Join the Moose Mountains Regional Greenways Director of Land Conservation Keith Fletcher and Kathryn Williams, Estate Planner to discuss conservation easements, trusts and other ways to ensure the legacy of your land.
Event is free. Pre-Registration is suggested.
Phenology Monitoring Training
9:00am - 11:30am
Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland, NH
Phenology is the study of the seasonal timing of cyclical life events, such as animal migration; insect emergence; plant leafing, blooming and color changing; egg-laying; and emergence from hibernation. Join NH Sea Grant in the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center for this informative and hands-on training that will teach you how to collect important climate change data in your own backyard! Space is limited to 20 participants.
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!
|
|
|
this workshop hosted by the 
