July 26, 2010
  
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Landscaping is about more than just looks

According to New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services, you can reduce your cooling and heating bills by as much as 30 percent by landscape planning.

And – you knew we were going to say this, didn’t you? – the way you landscape your yard has a big effect on the environment.

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Give your dirt a helping hand

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a teaspoonful of healthy soil contains about 4 billion organisms. That community of beneficial soil creatures keeps our landscapes healthy by:
• Creating a loose soil structure that allows air, water and plant root growth into the soil.
• Recycling nutrients and making them available to plants.
• Storing water until plants need it.
• Protecting plants from some pests and diseases.

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Is your grass greener?

Plant native species suited to the area, and look for plant and grass species that require less water. What types of grasses are growing in your lawn? Says New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services: Where you need to have a lawn, a mixture of grasses (such as fine and tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass), clover and legumes is the ideal combination.
The mix of the different species requires less nitrogen fertilizer, less water, is more resistant to diseases and pests, and provides a more hospitable environment for beneficial insects.
Some tips from the EPA:

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The joys of having a septic tank

According to NHDES, whether you want to or not, you should be thinking about your septic system in the spring.

Property owners are responsible for maintenance, and septic tanks should be inspected annually and pumped every two to three years.

If accumulated solids aren’t regularly removed from the tank, they’ll enter the leaching field, and ultimately the system will fail, says DES.

A failed system dumps pollutants such as nutrients, chemicals, bacteria and viruses into the ground or surface water. And if you have a well? well water for your drinking water supply.

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Scoop it . . . or else!

We’ll try to get this over with quickly. Scooping your dog’s doo doo isn’t just a courtesy: According to DES, pet waste can be a big source of water pollution. When left in the open, it can be carried by rain or snow runoff directly into nearby water bodies or into storm drains (which empty into water bodies).
Untreated animal fecal matter and wastes can become a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients in water: People who swim in it or drink from it are at risk of getting sick.
So reuse those plastic bags, or find another receptacle. However you do it, please scoop!

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Outside Green Community

Merrimack County Conservation District's Annual Tree, Shrub, & More Fundraiser

By merrimackcounty... | March 16, 2011

It's time for Merrimack County Conservation District's fundraising sale of trees, shrubs, perennials, books, tools and equipment. The annual sale features native and locally grown plants suitable for Merrimack County's growing conditions. Native plants improve water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, reduce wind and soil erosion, help clean the air, reduce energy costs and beautify your property.

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NH Sierra Club Hike In Hill, NH

By sierraclub | May 03, 2010

Sign up to hike the Hill pedestrian bridge site in Hill, NH.
SATURDAY May 8th
Starts at 9:30AM
Ends around 2:30
We'll hike in the Franklin Falls Flood Control Area, along the old roads and through open fields, past what was once Hill Village to the site of a proposed pedestrian bridge over the Pemigewasset.
We'll talk about some of the plans for connecting trails as well, including one on the old Franklin & Bristol RR right of way. On the way we'll pass lovely Needleshop Brook and Profile Falls. Total distance 4-5 miles, mostly level Car-spot.
Easy/Moderate.

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Raingardening in Your Watershed workshop at Lake Sunapee Protective Association

By merrimackcounty... | May 03, 2010

Rain gardens are an environmentally beneficial means of improving water quality and decrease storm water runoff; they are also a beautiful addition to any landscape.
A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rain runoff and storm water from roofs, paved walkways and compacted lawn areas to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and surface waters. Storm water causes erosion, water pollution, flooding and diminishes groundwater quality. Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%.

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CALLING ALL ARTISTS: KIDS WANTED FOR STATE-WIDE POSTER CONTEST!

By BlueOceanSociety | July 08, 2009

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: KIDS WANTED FOR STATE-WIDE POSTER CONTEST!

The Blue Ocean Society, a Portsmouth-based non-profit organization is looking for artwork from students K-8 for use in a poster advertising the Annual Coastal Cleanup in New Hampshire! The NH Coastal Cleanup will be held on September 19th, and all posters will be decorated with one lucky student’s design. If the kids are bored this summer, sit them down with crayons and paper and give them the chance to have their design displayed up and down the entire coast of New Hampshire!

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Any outdoorswomen out there?

By keepnhpretty | July 07, 2009

I just got this e-mail -- sounds pretty cool!

REGISTER NOW FOR BECOMING AN OUTDOORS-WOMAN CANOE CAMPING TREK

CONCORD, N.H. -- The N.H. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (B.O.W.) Program is teaming up with the Contoocook River Canoe Co., LLC, to offer a 3-day, 2-night guided canoe/camping trip on Lake Umbagog from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2009. If you are a woman who enjoys paddling, exploring, camping, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching and relaxing by the campfire, this trip is for you.

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