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.

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.

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%.

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!

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.

NH Sierra Club will lead a paddle on the Merrimack River on June 20th. Enjoy the day on the River and learn from Eric Orff, a local wildlife expert, about the environmental and public health effects of burning coal on the Merrimack and beyond. Bring your own boat or reserve a canoe or kayak with the Contoocook River Canoe Company at a reduced rate. The public is welcome but we will keep the group small, 10-14 people.

Get your Butts off the Beach. Please.

News from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302-0095
For information online, visit www.des.nh.gov
James P. Martin, Public Information Officer
(603) 271-3710; jmartin@des.state.nh.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 18, 2009
CONTACT: Chris Nash, NHDES Shellfish Program Manager, (603) 568-6741
Tim Bridges, EPA, (617) 918-8603 or (617) 223-1373

DES and EPA Conduct Dye Study on Little River in North Hampton
Study will help define bacterial pollution to the Atlantic Ocean

According to a press release that just came my way, the state is getting $730,000 in federal money to restore 1,200 acres of habitat for the New England cottontail. The full news release follows:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, national news release
April 20, 2009
Contact: Joshua Winchell, 703 358-2279, Joshua_winchell@fws.gov

Celebrate Earth Day by bringing the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day -- Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on Hazen Drive in Concord. Admission is free. This festival is fun for all ages - kids can try archery, cast with the "Let's Go Fishing" program or do wildlife craft projects. See retriever dogs in action, big trout and salmon in a real stocking truck, trained falcons and battling bull moose. Check out gas-saving hybrid vehicles and ideas for conserving energy and protecting our environment. Throughout the day, enjoy ongoing exhibits, presentations, walks and demonstrations. (Full schedule and details: www.wildlife.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q1/DWNH_Day_2009.html)