Like Water and Wildlife? Support New Hampshire’s Nongame Program!
OutdoorHub 06.08.12
June is the month to appreciate “nongame” wildlife – species that aren’t fished for or hunted. You know, the creatures you might have admired on a recent visit to a river, lake or pond – a great blue heron spearing a bullfrog, painted turtles sunning on a log, or osprey winging by. Working with state and private partners, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program protects these and more than 400 other species in New Hampshire.
The deadline is coming up soon for sending contributions to the Nongame Program’s 2012 Annual Fund Drive. The State of New Hampshire offers a $50,000 challenge grant to help fund the work of the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program – but to qualify, Fish and Game must raise an equal amount in private contributions by the end of June
The Nongame Program relies on the public to support its work protecting nongame and endangered species in New Hampshire. “Hunters and anglers support much of the Fish and Game Department’s work, but license funds are not used for nongame and endangered wildlife projects,” says Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Coordinator John Kanter.
Show your support for protecting nongame wildlife by making a tax-deductible contribution before June 30. Send to: Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.; or download a mail-in donation form at http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.
Donations support field research and monitoring of nongame wildlife identified as priority species in the state’s Wildlife Action Plan, which provides New Hampshire decision-makers with important tools for restoring and maintaining critical habitats, such as wetlands. This is important for people, too. People and wildlife share fresh water in New Hampshire. Sixty rivers, lakes and reservoirs support wildlife and serve as public water supplies for New Hampshire residents. Wetlands and marshes are critical wildlife habitats that also recharge our private wells. Thousands of swamps, bogs and vernal pools are vital parts of New Hampshire’s complex freshwater system.
By contributing to the Nongame Program, you can help teams of biologists and volunteers protect nongame wildlife and the critical water habitats that are vital to sustaining wildlife populations. Just as safe drinking water is essential to people, freshwater habitat is critical to wildlife populations – common species as well as those threatened or endangered. Cleaner waters are contributing to the recent recoveries of bald eagles and osprey, not to mention better fishing. What’s more, conserving habitat for nongame wildlife also helps game species, like moose, deer, turkey and bear, thrive.
Learn more about New Hampshire’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.
