June 1^st, 2013: 9am -12:00pm The Nature Conservancy’s Great Bay Office

Join the Seacoast Weed Watcher Team in learning how to help a regional effort to protect the natural habitat in our coastal watershed threatened by invasive species.  The event will include early detection training on how to identify and report a sighting to the following species: Garlic Mustard, Thorn-apple, Ornamental jewel-weed, Costal pepperweed and Japanese stiltgrass. The event will also include a work session to pull a nearby stand of garlic mustard.

Please RSVP to Joanne Glode at jglode@tnc.org or 603-659-2678 ext 12

For more details: Seacoast Weed Watcher Program

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces $59,300
Available for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in New Hampshire.

USDA NRCS is currently seeking project proposals from potential applicants through its Conservation Innovation Grant program. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.

“CIG projects can further the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies to help build sustainable communities in New Hampshire,” said State Conservationist Rick Ellsmore. “This competitive grant program helps us advance environmental goals that also contribute to, and protect, local economies.”

In the past, the NH State CIG program has funded grants, including, but not limited to: developing an energy-efficient wood-fired evaporator for the maple sugaring process; demonstrating low-till and no-till farming equipment and techniques; assisting immigrant and refugee farmers to access technology, land, and markets for agricultural production; and developing a sustainable approach to managing invasive species that reduces cost, avoids chemicals, and incorporates bio-fuel technology.

Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers.

The application deadline is 4:00 p.m. EDT on May 17, 2013. Applicants should describe the innovative technologies or approaches which will be used to address a natural resource conservation concern. Other requirements are identified in the Announcement of Program Funding located on the NH NRCS website www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the lead conservation agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We are a technical agency that provides trained soil conservationists, technicians, soil scientists, agronomists, engineers, economists, biologists, foresters and other experts to help landowners and land users with conservation.

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CONCORD, N.H. – Officials from the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) and Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (DAMF) have confirmed that the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, is in New Hampshire.

A suspect tree was spotted in Concord on March 28. Insect specimens from the tree were collected and sent to scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ), who have confirmed the insect’s identity.

New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill says the insect’s arrival was not unexpected. “We have been monitoring the emerald ash borer’s eastward march and preparing for its arrival here,” Merrill said. EAB now occurs in 19 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

Brad Simpkins, state forester with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, said state agencies have implemented the action plan that has been in place in anticipation of the insect’s arrival. The first step will be to determine how widespread its presence is.

Simpkins says Concord residents should be prepared to see Division of Forests and Lands personnel surveying ash trees in the area in the days and weeks to come. “This work will be critical to developing a management program for this unwelcome pest,” Simpkins said. “Residents’ cooperation would be greatly appreciated.”

Emerald ash borer attacks and kills North American species of true ash, and tree death occurs three to five years following initial infestation. The detection in Concord is the first for New Hampshire and is the easternmost detection in North America.

Ash makes up about six percent of New Hampshire’s northern hardwood forests, and it’s a commonly used landscape tree.

For more information about emerald ash borer, please contact the UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry Information Center hotline at 1-800-444-8978. Visit www.nhbugs.org to learn the signs and symptoms associated with ash borer or to report a suspect ash tree

Save the Date! May 9, 2013. 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM at the NH DES Pease Field Office, Portsmouth, NH

The workshop will be held May 9, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (registration begins at 8:30) at the NH DES office, 222 International Drive, Portsmouth, NH 038o1.

Registration is free, but required. Click here to register.

Questions? Contact James Houle at the UNH Stormwater Center: james.houle@unh.edu

Funding for this project was provided in part by a Watershed Assistance Grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services with Clean Water Act Section 319 funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Rockingham County is holding their second soil health workshop and equipment demonstration!

When: Wednesday April 24th 9:00am -12:00pm
Where: The Rockingham County Farm
110 North Rd, Brentwood

Attend and learn more about ways to improve soil health and productivity!

Also learn about our rental program for specialty equipment that can benefit your soil and see the equipment in action!

The workshop is FREE, but please RSVP:  603-679-2790 ext 16,  or send and e-mail to natsci@rockinghamccd.org

Find out more about RCCD projects and activities from the 2012 Annual Report!

Rockingham County Conservation District Annual Report 2012 PDF

Visit the NH Fish and Game Department’s Website for more information about the development of strategies for invasive plant control. These local priorities will help guide projects on an individual level and protect the landscape statewide!

Learn more: http://wildnh.com/invasives/

Federal Financial Assistance Available to
New Hampshire Farmers and Forest Landowners
Under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill)

Find out more about the next application cut-off date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP); explains programs, offers next steps for interested reader.  Financial Assistance is available for on-farm energy, seasonal high tunnel, organic farming, and New England Cottontail habitat conservation practices.

Durham, New Hampshire, February 8, 2013 — Agriculture or forest landowners in New Hampshire:

If you are interested in protecting, conserving, or restoring the natural resources on your property through technical or financial assistance, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office to begin the conservation planning process.

Once an NRCS Conservation Plan is developed, you can work with NRCS to determine which programs would best suit your conservation needs.  Applications for NRCS programs and initiatives (see below for details) may be submitted at any time year-round; however, the next application cut-off dates are March 8, 2012 for EQIP on-farm energy, seasonal high tunnels, or organic practices, and April 1, 2013 for WHIP New England Cottontail practices. In order for your application to be considered when project ranking occurs on April 19^th for EQIP and May 17^th for WHIP,landowners/operators must submit a complete application packet (including eligibility paperwork) by the application cut-off date of either March 8^th or April 1^st. Additional application cut-off dates may be announced, if funding becomes available.

Click here for more information

Or contact your local NRCS office: www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov.