Franklin-McElheny Preserve News and Updates

Published April 10, 2020 In times of uncertainty, it’s natural for us to want to connect with something constant, and being out in the Franklin-McElheny Preserve is something we can do that still seems normal. There’s no doubt being in nature can help relieve the stress of our current circumstances! As such, we hope you’ve been able to enjoy the optimism of early spring in the forest. If you’ve visited the Franklin-McElheny Preserve recently, you likely have noticed some of the trees marked with blue paint, along with the boundary trees marked in bright orange. As we have previously communicated, and consistent with the consensus plan endorsed by the Franklin-McElheny Working Group, SELT will initiate phase one of the management to mitigate the damage caused by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) this year. The trees with blue paint have been marked by licensed forester, Charlie Moreno, to be removed when the harvest occurs. While we had originally planned for the work to begin this spring, t

Published October 3, 2019 The Franklin-McElheny Working Group hosted a walk on the Preserve the evening of Monday, August 26th.  The walk gave the opportunity for the public to visit the Preserve, hear about the management consensus from Working Group members, ask questions and provide feedback.  The walk was well attended with great questions and discussion about the management activities that would occur.   Following the walk, at their September meetings, both SELT’s Land Stewardship Committee and Board of Directors unanimously voted to accept the Working Group’s recommendation for the two-phased management plan.  An overview of the two phases can be reviewed here  For the first phase of management, SELT will contract with Licensed Consulting Forester Charlie Moreno, who will mark the areas to be included in Phase One in late fall of 2019 or early winter of 2020.  After the areas are marked, SELT will hold a public tour to view those areas that will be included in Phase One and answe

Published on July 17, 2019 In This Update Working Group Reaches Consensus Recommendation for Response to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at the Franklin-McElheny Preserve in Rollinsford Community Site Walk Scheduled for Monday, August 26 from 4-6 PM to Explain Proposed Plan. Overview The Franklin-McElheny Preserve Working Group met monthly from December 2018 to June 2019, including one meeting when the Group was led by Kyle Lombard from the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands on a walk through the Preserve to observe current conditions. During the course of its deliberations, the Group considered a wide range of factors affecting the Preserve and plans to manage forest health in light of the infestation by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA).  These included: the intentions of the initial deeds by the landowners when the land was conveyed to SELT, the rate and spread of the HWA infestation, the current and anticipated state of wildlife habitat in the forest, property use by Bald Eagles, tr

Published April 5, 2019 Since December 2018, a group made up primarily of Rollinsford residents has been working with SELT to understand the issues at play in managing the Franklin-McElheny Preserve (the Preserve) in Rollinsford, NH. Over a six-month period, this group has worked to learn together and will be recommending a management plan for the property to SELT’s Stewardship Committee and Board of Directors by June of 2019 that reflects SELT’s role, mission, and the preferences of the community. To date, the group has done the following: Determined a process to arrive at a balanced decision that draws upon accessible and understandable information to identify two or three management options; Monitored and discussed feedback received from concerned citizens regarding the forest management of the Preserve; and Learned about topics critical to understanding how to approach a management plan, including: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid’s (HWA), biology, life cycle, and threat to the Preserve;

Published March 13, 2019 SELT is aware that Bald Eagles have been sighted on the Preserve during daylight hours throughout the year.  In addition, SELT has long been aware of a known nest site nearby at the Three Rivers Farm.    To understand if/how eagles are using the Preserve, SELT has consulted with eagle experts Chris Martin, Senior Biologist-Raptors, with NH Audubon and Tom Wittig, Eagle Coordinator, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Northeast Region.  Specifically, SELT has discussed with them:  the proximity of the Preserve to the known nest location downstream; any documented winter roosting sites on the Preserve as well as the potential for winter roosting on the Preserve; daytime sightings of Bald Eagles on the Preserve and; considerations we should make for management of the land given the potential for foraging or roosting activities.    To determine impacts to the Bald Eagle wildlife biologists consider three primary behaviors:  Nesting, roosting and foraging activities on

Published January 24, 2019 The Franklin-McElheny Working Group held its second meeting on January 15 and planned its work for the next several months. SELT has asked the group to fully explore and evaluate the pros and cons of different management options for the Franklin-McElheny Preserve, toward the goal of addressing the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)infestation present on many of the property’s Hemlock trees. Six Rollinsford residents are serving on the Working Group, including Nancy Carmer, Jonathan Ordway, Lucy Putnam, Herbert and Nancy Ueda, and SELT Board member Linda McGivern. The group also includes Kyle Lombard who is the Forest Health Program Coordinator for the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Land, Deborah Goard (SELT’s Stewardship Director) and Beverly Shadley (SELT’s Deputy Director). The group is being facilitated by Bruce Mallory of New Hampshire Listens . Topics to be studied and discussed include: The current state of the Preserve and its projected level of fores