COMMISSIONER'S COLUMN

Celebrating Wetlands for Their Incalculable Value

It was another lovely Earth Day in New Hampshire on April 22, and I took the opportunity to celebrate it by joining NHDES staff and partners on a field visit to a local vernal pool to study the area for evidence of amphibian and salamander eggs. Vernal pools are a type of wetland that provides critical wildlife breeding habitat, and they typically only “appear” from March to May every year.

Dover Cidery First of its Kind Recognized for Sustainable Practices

North Country Hard Cider in Dover is the first cidery in New Hampshire to be recognized in the New Hampshire Sustainable Craft Beverage Program. NCHC’s mission is “to make the best tasting, purest hard cider on the planet – uncompromised.” While it requires more work to produce an all-natural hard cider, it is what sets them apart from other cider producers.

WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT!

Make Sure to Be on the Lookout for Cyanobacteria Blooms This Summer

As the weather warms this year, be on the lookout for potentially harmful cyanobacteria blooms! Always perform a personal self-risk assessment of the water, looking for discoloration or unusual growth before recreating or letting your pets in the water. If you see something unusual, take pictures and report it.

$510,000 Awarded for Watershed Assistance Projects

The NHDES Watershed Assistance Section has awarded seven Watershed Assistance Grants for watershed protection and restoration projects totaling $510,000.

More News from NHDES

• New Signs Promote Streamflow Stations
• Celebrate Small Business Week April 30-May 6, 2023
• NHDES-nominated NH small business, professional win awards
• ARM Fund awards for Concord, Bath Finalized
• It’s Never Too Early to Start Preparing Your Firewood

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