Odiorne Point State Park

Habitat Restoration

Rye, New Hampshire

Over the past 350 years, native ecosystems at Odiorne Point State Park have been significantly degraded by human activity. This disturbance has facilitated the spread of non-native invasive plant species, which now pose one of the most serious threats to the park’s coastal habitats. Odiorne is home to some of New Hampshire’s rarest native ecological communities, including dune complexes, overwash coastal marshes, and maritime cobble beaches. Since 2010, the Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD), in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) and other collaborators, has been working to restore these critical ecosystems.. 

In 2008 an ecological restoration plan was created by Biologist Alan P. Ammann which broke Odiorne into several distinct habitat types of which were then labeled by field number. Ammann's plan focused on the restoration of native and historic human dominated ecosystems within the park with a particular emphasis on control of invasive plants which were thought to be the most damaging ecosystem stressor.

In 2010 the Odiorne Point State Park Invasive Plant Management Plan was adopted to restore native plant communities, control invasive species infestations, eradicate new infestations and improve aesthetic and recreational opportunities and public safety at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH.

When the Plan was created, at least 18 of 26 prohibited species on the state invasive plant list have been documented at the park, and since that time additional species have been located. The Plan determined that 230 acres of the 330-acre, just over 88% of the park, was heavily invaded by invasive plants. So RCCD and its partners set out to work and began restoring those acres. 

Follow the Progress

  • 2023

  • 2022

  • 2020

  • 2018

  • 2016

  • 2012

  • 2009

  • 2024

What Might You See While Visiting the Park

Invasive Plant Mowing

Using an excavator with a mounted drum mower, areas in the park with some of the most dense invasive plant populations were mowed in December, 2022. As we continue to work towards reestablishing the native plant population in this location as well as other areas of the park, volunteer efforts, integrated pest management (IPM) practices, native planting efforts, and significant partner coordination will be vital. 

    • Allows appropriate access for habitat restoration

    • Promotes rapid regeneration of certain native plant species such as sumac, dogwoods and  willow

    • Creates early successional habitat critical for many species such as the New England cottontail, ruffed grouse, and American woodcock

    • Removes excess bittersweet vines that are weighing down and strangling native tree species

    • Removes biomass of invasive infestations

    • Opens up the area to allow native species regeneration and supplemental native plantings where appropriate

Native Species Plantings

Active planting of native species is and has been completed in a variety of coastal habitat types throughout the park in an effort to promote the establishment of diverse plant   communities. Historical plant species data is utilized in determining what plants were   native to Odiorne Point prior to the monoculture of invasives, and is used as a guide for current restoration plantings. Additional considerations for determining species plantings include climate, growth rate, vegetation structure, soil conditions and sea level rise. Deer covers, stakes and flagging may be seen where plantings have taken place.

    • Greater diversity means greater resilience to change or disturbance

    • Erosion control

    • Increased water quality

    • Supports a greater variety of wildlife species

    • Increased soil carbon storage

    • Healthy soils

Volunteer Efforts

Volunteers are an invaluable part of this project and we could not have had such great ecological success without their assistance, thank you! Over 10,000 volunteer hours has contributed to ongoing habitat restoration efforts at the Park. Volunteers learn about native plant communities and invasive plants in the park while assisting with various restoration techniques such as cutting and/or pulling invasive plants, pollinator site preparation, native planting and seeding, watering plants, brush removal and more!

Check Out Some of The Latest Press Releases:

Restoration of Coastal Forest and Shrub Habitat And Pollinator Enhancements at Odiorne Point State Park

Restoration of Shrubland and Maritime Shrubland Habitats at Odiorne Point State Park 

Odiorne Point State Park: A Decade and More Ecosystem Restoration- Progress Update Winter 2022-2023

Want to learn more about invasive plants?

Thank You to Our Partners

University of New Hampshire Extension

NH State Conservation Committee