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Nicole Watkins

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NH Lakes Wildlife

Tips from Dan Coons of ILEX Wetlands Consultants on Helping the Wild Pollinators Crucial to our Food Chain.

It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees, although additionally by other insects, birds and bats.  

In the building boom we are currently seeing, and likely to see more of with the low mortgage rates, it is also important to consider the environment that is altered during the construction process.

Below this photo are some tips from Dan Coons of ILEX Wetlands Consultants on creating a bee friendly environment.

For the general do-it-yourself gardener, this will probably help:

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml 

A little more specific info on plants to consider was found below

 https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/pollinator-garden-design-for-bees/9144.html

a source of pre-packaged seeds

https://www.seedsavers.org/collection-pollinator-garden  

We have shrubs around our house that different species of bees just love. Azaleas and rhododendrons are frequented by bumblebees, the bridalwreath is another favorite, roses, milkweed. Anything with flowers, and the more colors the better. Also, species that bloom at different times of the year.

If you'd like to hire a consultant to help you understand how to work with your land and wetlands, there are many local experts in our community.  For wetlands advice and tree mapping especially, please contact Dan Coons at: Dan.Coons@ILEXwetlands.com 603.520.8533 P.O, Box 2185 Wolfeboro NH, 03894.

If you are interested in helping the birds and the bees, you should also check out this website for bird-friendly coffee: Birds and Beans (https://birdsandbeanscoffee.com/our-mission). #shadegrowncoffeecertification. 

While it is still winter, it feels as though a Happy Spring is right around the corner.  Enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

What's Your Dream Winnipesaukee Adventure? Make it Happen in 2019.

Fall in New England brings some of the best weather for enjoying the outdoors!

Setting out for a Winnipesaukee Sunset Cruise in the Mastercraft.

I hope this Winnipesaukee Adventure Video motivates you to enjoy whatever fabulous New Hampshire outdoor activities you like best!

Seize the day!

Setting off for the Tamworth Motorsports Club in a Ford GTE

Are you looking for a golf course? Canoe, boat, or water-ski rentals? 

Canoeing by 144 Veasey Shore Road Meredith NH

Remember the local Meredith, Center-Harbor, and Moultonborough area businesses below these photos!

canoeing by 144 Veasey Shore Road's Winnipesaukee Shoreline in a Winni Lifestyle Video.

Lemongrass Restaurant and Sake Bar  Meredith MarinaShep Brown's Boat Basin, a Goodhue Boat Company,
WaukewanGolfCourse
WildMeadowPaddleSportsCanoeandKayakRentals...

An Outline of the New Hampshire Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act, with ISA Master Arborist, Tim Berquist

 

Tim Bergquist,  an ISA Master Arborist and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist is a guest blogger and local expert.  His expertise with the Shoreland Protection Act is applied in his business practice.  In the below paragraphs, Berquist gives a basic outline of the New Hampshire Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act, commonly referred to as the Shoreland Protection Act.

Berquist has a bachelors in environmental forest biology and over 28 years of experience in all aspects of arboriculture. He enjoys helping to educate those interested in regulations that protect our state's shorelands, one our most fragile and beautiful natural resources.

Meredith NH sunrise along Veasey Shore

The shoreland protection act was put in place in 1991 to establish the minimum standards for the use and development of land adjacent to the state’s public water bodies.

There were many changes applied over the following 20 years with the most recent changes occurring in 2011.

  • The shoreland buffer is the 250 feet adjacent to the state’s shoreline of the sea, large ponds, lakes, and large rivers.
  • It is measured from the reference line, a point near the shoreline from which the setback is determined.

The shoreland buffer includes (2) more restricted buffers, the natural woodland and waterfront buffer,

  • The waterfront buffer is the first 50’ along the shore,
  • The woodland buffer extends from the shore to 150’ and includes the waterfront buffer.

The woodland buffers purpose is to protect the quality of public waters by:

·         Minimizing erosion

·         Preventing siltation and turbidity

·         Stabilizing soils

·         Preventing excess nutrients and chemical pollution

·         Maintaining natural water temperatures and a healthy tree canopy and understory

·         Preserving fish and wildlife habitat and the overall natural condition of the protected shoreland

Loon near senter cove

It requires that on a given lot that 25% of the area from 50 feet to 150 feet shall be maintained as a natural woodland.

Tuftonboro NH natural shoreline

The waterfront buffer is highly restricted; it was put in place to protect the quality of public waters. It does, however, still allow homeowner discretion with regard to the following:

  • Access
  • Safety
  • View-scape maintenance
  • Lot design

Meredith NH Shoreline with lovely lawn leading to 2 decks and rocky shoreline

This discretion comes with prohibitions and limitations including:

  • The use and application of pesticides and fertilizers within the buffer, the setback can be extended to include the entire shoreland buffer in areas located near the water supply
  • The removal of rocks, stumps, trees and woody vegetation
  • Limitations on the pruning of trees and shrubs
  • The maintenance of the minimum quantity of points required by the act for each shoreline segment

As measured along the shoreline, the segments are 25’ wide parcels that extend inland to the 50’ setback.  They begin at the northerly or easterly boundary.

Each segment requires 25 points of vegetation, this vegetation can consist of tree, sapling, shrub and ground cover, but does not include a mowed lawn.

The points are determined by the diameter of the tree at 4.5 feet or the caliper of a tree measured at the height on nursery standards. A one inch diameter minimum is set for trees, ground cover and shrubs are measured by square feet.

Vegetation shall not be removed from any segment which fails to meet the minimum scoring but owners are encouraged to plant non-invasive vegetation to increase point scores.

This can aid in allowing future removal of vegetation as may become necessary while still meeting the point requirements.

Dead, diseased or unsafe trees or saplings shall not be included in scoring. 

Wolfeboro NH Shoreline

They can be removed even if the points fall below the minimum quantity if they pose a hazard to structures or have the potential to cause personal injury. I recommend consulting with a qualified arborist if you have a concern but are unsure how to proceed.

Normal trimming, pruning and thinning of branches necessary to maintain the health of the planted areas as well as to protect structures, maintain clearances and provide views is permitted as long as it does not endanger the health of the plant.

Meredith NH trees and shoreline

I recommend you include qualified professionals, contractors and consultants in any plan designs that you would like to implement within your shoreland property.

There are many limitations put in place by the shoreland protection act, all of which were put in place to preserve our beautiful shoreland and watershed.

 

cheetah boat ride

Feel free to continue to browse my site for valuable information about New Hampshire Lakes Region real estate and related topics.

Search 2018 town assessed versus selling prices for the Winnipesaukee shored towns. 

Search property for sale by lake or town in all Lakes Region Lakes and Towns

Search my listings.

Set up your own Lakes Region real estate search

or contact me with questions or to set up a search for you.

 

The Beautiful Wildlife Near 125 Windermere

Bald Eagle About to Fly Near 125 Windermere Road, Moultonborough, NH

An inviting neighborhood for wildlife and a protected bay with long views are some of the features home owners in the Windermere Association enjoy.  The Bald Eagle pictured here prefers the quiet and wooded areas around the Windermere Association. 

Flying from a tall tree on Winnipesaukee, the Bald Eagle is a stunning site!

While Eagles and Loons provide some of the most beautiful sites and sounds on Lake Winnipesaukee, the Loon Preservation Committee needs support to help keep Lake Winnipesaukee a home for these rare birds.

Slowing down for Loons when boating will help keep these birds a part of our NH history.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Fact Sheets have information on how to help keep Winnipesaukee clean.

If boating regulations, including speed limits are followed, this will go a long way to help keep wildlife safe on Winnipesaukee.  

2 loons ride the large weekend waves on Winnipesaukee.

Common courtesy for other boaters and and respect for the lake is critical in the long term survival of the lake.  With extraordinary warm weather and low gas prices the lake has been more inviting to boaters this summer.  By educating ourselves on practices to keep the lake clean, we can keep the lake beautiful for future generations.

In an election year, why not ask your candidates what they intend to do to help keep NH's lakes clean?  

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the New Hampshire Lakes Management and Protection Program  need very strong support from the legislature to do their job well and to keep our New Hampshire lakes and ponds healthy.  


Water conservation is a related issue that is especially important in drought years, such as 2016. Water Conservation Practice Fact Sheets can be found on the NH DES website regarding water conservation. The Fact Sheets WD-DWGB-26-18 - WD-DWGB-26-23 are especially helpful for homeowners.  Arsenic and bacteria levels can change in years that parts of drinking wells that are usually submerged become dry.  Ask your water or well company for information on water testing.

 

 

 

 

 

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