Become a Nature Steward and Increase our Biodiversity
Love the outdoors? Want to explore and enhance Amherst’s natural habitats?
Become a Nature Steward!
Learn the details behind our endangered species' needs for food, cover and water and how you can gradually increase the biodiversity in our local habitats on town lands.
The Nature Steward explores territories between the roads and behind the houses; deep forests, soggy wetlands, waist-high grass and shrubby thickets. You will participate in projects to increase food and cover opportunities needed by our animal species in all these habitats. Check out the following areas of special interest.
(Illustration by Tony Auth)
Buck Meadow Demo
Buck Meadow is the ACC’s demonstration property for wildlife habitats. This 68-acres area is home to three major New Hampshire habitats with small mammals, numerous bird species, amphibians and reptiles. A large parking lot, clubhouse and perimeter trail make it very accessible. These features allow for steward instruction, upskilling and initial researches.
What you can expect at a Nature Steward training session:
* One-on-one with an ACC or experienced steward instructor for a few hours
* Determine your preferred stewardship.
* Establish an account on the preferred phone app (iNaturalist, eBird).
Contact the ACC with your interest.
Age: 14-Adult
Difficulty: Low
Requires: Interest
Time: Once, 2 hours
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially about Permethrin)
You’ve picked up and read some of the Habitat Stewardship brochures
... and ...
Now you’d like to do something about biodiversity and enhancing Amherst natural habitats!
For example:
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Locate beaver lodges and assess their food supplies
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Harvest wildflower seeds in the fall and plant in grasslands for summer bird seeds
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Build and place bee hotels for native pollinating insects
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Locate and verify vernal pools
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… and many more!
Contact the ACC with your interest.
Age: 14-Adult
Difficulty: Low -to- High
Requires: Interest
Time: Periodic/As You See Fit
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially about Permethrin)
South of Souhegan Steward
South of Souhegan is an area bounded by the Souhegan River, Route 122, Boston Post Road and Route 101A. This area includes Buck Meadow, Ponemah Bog and Stump Pond. It has high habitat values with low development density which makes for excellent wildlife observation and research. A major powerline runs through the area which grows into a tall shrubby corridor hosting many birds and small mammals. The four boundaries make this a somewhat closed wildlife sanctuary. The easy access provides opportunities for continual observations and research projects.
Presentation: Intro to Wildlife Habitats
Contact the ACC with your interest.
Age: 14-Adult
Difficulty: Medium
Requires: iNaturalist
Time Required: Weekly or Monthly
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially Permethrin)
Highest Ranked Habitats Steward
Highest Ranked Habitats are large contiguous areas of Amherst (interactive map) blessed with food, water, cover and scant human development allowing most wildlife species to thrive. These areas were arrived at through complex analysis by the US Federal and NH State governments with on-the-ground inputs by local conservation organizations. You can help verify the range of species (vegetation, animal, avian, insect, etc.), and abundance through the use of the iNaturalist app and educational research projects. You will be off-road, deep in woods and creek bottoms, gaining a new appreciation for biodiversity.
Presentation: Intro to Wildlife Habitats
Contact the ACC with your interest.
Age: 16-Adult
Difficulty: Medium
Requires: iNaturalist
Time Required: Weekly or Monthly
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially Permethrin)
Young Forests Steward
Copyright UNH Coop Extension
Young Forests are areas in our woodlands, 2-10 acres in size, that are deliberately disturbed to increase biodiversity. They need to be monitored over time for results. Your data will add to UNH and Fish & Game studies of wildlife usage in young forests.
* “Monitoring” will involve assessing wildlife presence, density and foraging habits. The ACC forester will monitor plant growth.
* As the young forest matures, the steward will remove small trees (saplings) and preserve shrubs.
Presentation: Intro to Wildlife Habitats
Contact the ACC with your interest.
Age: 16-Adult
Difficulty: Medium
Requires: iNaturalist
Time Required: Monthly
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially Permethrin)
Vernal Pool Steward
Vernal pools are wetlands with a seasonal cycle of flooding and drying. There are no fish, allowing various amphibians and reptiles to breed and grow. As a Vernal Pool Peeper you will verify vernal pools on town land (map). You will be expected to:
* Assume responsibility for a few pools and survey each one for known characteristics.
* In mid-late February to mid-May visit each pool seeking egg masses, tadpoles and other signs of amphibian activity.
* Fill out the Harris Center form and record observations on iNaturalist.
Contact the ACC with your interest.
More About Vernal Pools
Age: 16-Adult
Difficulty: Medium to High
Requires: iNaturalist, Waders, Gloves, Dip Net
Time Required: A few days once a year in early spring
In all Cases Take Tick Precautions (especially Permethrin)