The Andover Conservation Commission’s “Taking Action for Wildlife” project continues in July with two public events and a wildlife photo exhibit in the Andover Public Library.
Here’s the lineup:
Bluewater Farm Walkabout
On Thursday, July 11, from 9 AM to 11 AM, Dave Anderson, education director at the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests and well-known nature writer and speaker, will offer a”Taking Action for Wildlife” presentation on the grounds of Bluewater Farm on Bradley Lake. Open to the public at no charge, the presentation will include an easy walk along lakeside and wooded trails, which are located in an area of town that receives the highest rating for support of wildlife.
Bluewater Farm is located on Bradley Lake Road, reached from Lawrence Street in the center of Andover. A sign identifies the driveway to the main lodge, where the event will begin.
Goal of the presentation, according to Mary Anne Broshek, conservation commission chair, is to help local residents – especially those in the Bradley Lake watershed area – better understand what they can do to make their properties more attractive to wildlife, and why such action is important. Anderson’s organization, also known as the Forest Society, works toward “protecting our lands, preserving New Hampshire’s quality of life.”
Dragonfly Appreciation Event
On Wednesday, July 31, from 3:00 to 5 PM, Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust’s land protection specialist, Andy Deegan, and Carrie Deegan of the N.H. Forest Society, will lead a Dragonfly Appreciation Event on the 69.2-acre Hiller Conservation Easement at 57 Valley Road (off State Route 11) in East Andover.
The Hiller property has prime wetlands and important frontage on Sucker Brook and its tributaries. It offers varied wildlife habitat including forest, wetlands and small fields – some ranked as among the best in the state. The Deegans will share their love and knowledge of the life history and value of local dragonflies and damselflies. The walk will be easy and is appropriate for everyone – including children of all ages. Bring normal hiking attire and an insect net if you have one. The event will include catching individual “dragons” for identification purposes and releasing them once photos are taken. Light refreshments will be served. This walk is dependent on the weather, so call Ausbon Sargent’s office (603.526.6555) if you have any questions.
Wildlife in our Back Yards
Throughout the month, an exhibit featuring the wildlife photographs of about a dozen local residents (age range from 8 to 80+) is up and running in the entry room of the Andover Public Library in the Town Hall. Participants as of June 19 include Lew Allison, Donna Baker-Hartwell, Joyce Bourdon, Susan and Larry Chase, Lorraine Cline, Ed Hiller, Rick (“MooseMan”) Libbey, Marty McAuliff, Bob and Rita Norander, Dot Skeels, Caleb Warzocha, and Molly Williams.
The exhibit will also include maps of Andover showing “hot spots” where wildlife has been spotted, as identified by residents on the last Town Meeting Day.
The exhibit is free and open to the public during normal library hours.
The Conservation Commission’s “Taking Action for Wildlife” project has been guided by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. You can learn more about the state program and view the Andover wildlife maps at Wildlife.State.NH.us/Wildlife/wildlife_plan.htm. For additional information, contact ACC chair Mary Anne Broshek at MABandSadie@nullgmail.com or 648-2539.