Land of the Shakers
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Land of the Shakers
To benefit the area's wildlife, New Hampshire Fish and Game biologists are transforming
a piece of property once held by a Shaker community back to its 19th-century
state. Back then the land was home to the celibate religious organization that
supported itself through agriculture.
At the Lower Shaker Village Wildlife Management Area in Enfield, N.H., trees
are being clear-cut so that agricultural fields can be reclaimed. The fertile
ground will yield various food sources to support the wildlife in this landscape.
The WMA encompasses more than 1,000 acres of woodlands and grasslands -- now
conserved for wildlife habitat value and hunting opportunities. Click
here for a map and more information.
Wild
Ways: Edible Plants
Lisa Densmore samples some of nature's bounty with Al Stoops, a biologist and naturalist.
Staghorn sumac, eaten raw, has a lemony flavor. Some of nature's delicacies
need to be cooked or prepared to be enjoyed. Lisa and Al feast on groundnuts
sauteed with purslane and hazelnuts, as well as boiled milkweed. Being able
to recognize and prepare edible plants from the forest is more than just a survival
skill -- it's also finding a new place for gourmet treats.
Tomorrow's Hunters
Up north in Berlin, New Hampshire, young people at a camp in the White Mountain
National Forest learn how to be prepared in the outdoors - some also learn to
become responsible hunters. At Barry Conservation Camp, a camp co-sponsored
by UNH Cooperative Extension 4H and New Hampshire Fish and Game, kids are exposed
to traditional outdoor sports and wildlife conservation skills that'll make
their woodland experiences more rewarding and fulfilling. Part of Barry Camp
includes a special week set aside for youth wanting to prepare for the New Hampshire
hunter certification test -- a defining moment for all future sportsmen and
women in the state. Click
here to learn more about Barry Camp.
Wild
Places: Alpine Gardens of Mt. Washington
Climb Mt. Washington or any of the high peaks of the White Mountains and you'll
pass through several distinct ecological zones. One very stunning zone near
the summit of Mt. Washington includes alpine gardens where hikers can see summer
wildflowers that flourish above timberline.
At the base of Mt. Washington is a forest of northern hardwoods, followed a bit higher by a forest of spruce and fir. As more elevation is gained, trees become small and stunted. These gnarled, dwarfed trees of the sub-alpine zone are called krummholtz. The area above treeline is called the alpine zone. The short growing season, soil acidity and the destructive effect of high winds on ice-covered foliage at the higher elevations create an environment in which trees cannot survive. Many of the plants of the sub-alpine and alpine zones have special adaptations to cope with the extreme conditions. Hikers are advised to stay on marked trails when visiting the alpine gardens to avoid damaging the fragile flora.
Click
here to learn more about visiting Mt. Washington State Park.
