Interpretive Nature Hike for the Lyndeborough Trails Association

The newly formed Lyndeborough Trails Association (http://lyndeboroughtrails.blogspot.com/) seeks to improve and expand the trail network in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. Joe Trudeau led a half-day hike up "The Pinnacle" to describe to the group the history, flora, fauna, and natural communities along the trail. Additionally, Joe created a trail map based off of the work he did for the Natural Resources Inventory earlier in the year. The Pinnacle features the headwaters of Cold Brook, an important tributary to the Piscataquog River, as well as uncommon dry shrubland communities giving habitat to more than 20 native shrub species. The views are among the finest in the Monadnock Region, encompassing a panorama from the Wapack Range, to Monandnock, Crotched Mountain, and all the way to the Presidential Range 100 miles north.

The view from The Pinnacle, two days after the 2008 Ice Storm

Clement Hill Forest Management Plan, Deering N.H.

We were asked to prepare a forest management plan for a 54 acre forested property in Deering, NH. Most of the land is protected by a Conservation Easement held by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. It is part of a conservation block totalling over 2,600 acres that straddles the Hillsborough, Henniker, and Deering borders.

The project was a challenge as it was logged over the past winter, and part of our job was to inventory what was there, not just what is there now. We collected data on wetlands, hydrology, understory flora, wildlife, overstory trees, regeneration, stand dynamics, and harvest effects on the residual stand.

A major highlight was locating a unique enriched hardwood seepage forest featuring black ash, basswood, elm, hornbeam, and a very rich herbaceous understory. We also observed breeding rose-breasted grosbeaks, an uncommon bird in the northeast in the spring. Unusual plants like oak fern and baneberry occurred in the mature forests low in the property, while the closest areas to the road featured great early successioanl forest habitat in dense pole stands of aspen and mixed hardwoods.

To protect private property rights we are choosing to not post the management plan for public viewing, but if you own land and would like to see a sample of this type of work feel free to contact us and we can show you portions of some management plans to give you and idea of what we can do for you and your property.