IC AT LAKES /ATLANT GRERE E REGIONAL OFFIC New Hampshire 2010 Conservationation RReporteport | GGreatreat LakesLakes / AtlanticAtlantic RegionalRegionaRegional OfficeO Offifficece

DU WORKS FOR WATERFOWL CONSERVATION SUMMARY: THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY Ducks Unlimited conserves habitat at the continental scale to meet the life- cycle needs of ’s waterfowl. New England is part of the Atlantic Flyway, A strong biological foundation has always been providing important migration, breeding and wintering areas for many of the continent’s the cornerstone of Ducks waterfowl such as American black ducks, greater scaup, brant and Canada geese. Over the Unlimited’s conservation past 20 years, DU’s New England conservation program restored 30,796 acres of programs since the and adjacent habitat while completing 166 projects. Connecticut’s conservation projects organization’s founding in are designed to maximize the quantity and quality of migration, breeding and wintering 1937. DU remains true to waterfowl habitats, as well as improve conditions for waterfowl production. Your support of this foundation as it works to Ducks Unlimited will help achieve that goal! guide development of national policies that benefi t waterfowl. PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: UPPER MERRIMACK OXBOW Th e North American A new project that came to us late in 2009, involves the protection of 294 acres Wetlands Conservation Act and legislation involving clean of wetlands and forestlands along the Merrimack River in the Town of Canterbury. Th is water, climate and energy are among the current priorities eff ort is lead by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest and along with for the DU staff in D.C. Th e Farm Bill, although not DU includes the National Marine Fisheries Service, NH Fish & Game Department, set for renewal until 2012, also remains on DU’s radar NH Department of Environmental Services and the Town of Canterbury Conservation because Farm Bill programs like Conservation Reserve Commission. Th e towns of Concord and Canterbury are experiencing rapid loss of their Program and have signifi cant remaining forest and agricultural lands as growth pressures extend beyond the I-93 implications for waterfowl habitats. corridor. Th e Upper Merrimack Oxbow parcel has tremendous strategic importance as it adds two miles of riverfront to a 1000-acre chain of recently protected lands upstream and Th e Clean Water Restoration Act passed the Senate downstream, and enhances the signifi cance of this river corridor. Th e Oxbow land is well Environment and Public Works committee in 2009. recognized in the region by its stunning river bluff s, and includes a globally rare sand plain Th is was a positive move toward reinstating protections habitat, exemplary plant communities twenty six acres of wetlands and habitat for several for wetlands important to breeding ducks and small listed plant and animal species. Th e property provides highly valued recreational resources streams connected to many of the nation’s drinking water resources. Progress on clean water legislation stalled in and is cherished by hikers, sportsmen and boaters. Once acquired, the land will be turned the House, but DU remains poised to work with House over to the NH Fish & Game for long-term management. leadership to ensure waterfowl interests are considered in future bills. GREAT BAY RESOURCE PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP PROTECTS ANOTHER SIX PROPERTIES IN 2009 At the end of 2009, a bill that will enhance the power of Th e Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, made up of state, federal and private NAWCA unanimously passed the House and the Senate organizations, including the USFWS, NH Fish & Game, the Nature Conservancy, DU, Environment and Public Works Committee. It will go Th e Society for the Protection of NH Forest, NRCS, Audubon Society and the Great to the Senate fl oor for a vote some time in 2010. Th e bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, had another very successful year in protecting bill would allow increased investment from Canadian resources to fulfi ll the requirement for private funds to critical and upland habitats within the Great Bay watershed of coastal New match the federal contribution. Hampshire. Th is year the Partnership closed on six properties, protecting nearly 250 acres. Since its inception, the GBRPP has protected through and fee title To receive DU’s latest policy news go to purchase, over 5,000 acres of critical waterfowl and other fi sh and wildlife habitat within WWW.DUCKS.ORG/CIB and subscribe to the the Great Bay . Numerous state and federal grants have contributed to this eff ort Conservation Issues Briefi ng. resulting in millions of public/private funds being leveraged for future generations of fi sh and wildlife and people. NNewew HampshireHampshire CConservationonservation RReporteport 22010010

CCampaignampaign ProgressProgress 1/1/041/1/04 – 11/30/0911/30/09

North America’s Vanishing Wetlands: Facing the Challenge

Poets write about it. Conservationists strive to continue it. Sportsmen dream about it. Th e migration of North America’s waterfowl and other birds is one of nature’s grandest and most anticipated events.

Wetlands make this migration possible. Wetlands also provide the foundation for North America’s water supply. We rely on them for clean and abundant water, fl ood protection and recreation. Wetlands are vital to us all, yet every 10 minutes another acre of wetlands is drained. www.ducks.org/wetlandsfortomorrow Ducks Unlimited: Answering the Challenge

To answer the challenge to save North America’s wetlands, grasslands and waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited has embarked on the Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign, an ambitious continental eff ort to raise at least $1.7 billion for wetland .

With a proven track record of partnering with the private sector, government and other conservation organizations for nearly 70 years, Ducks Unlimited has restored and conserved nearly 12 million acres of crucial habitat that benefi ts waterfowl, other wildlife and people.

Please join us to learn more about Wetlands for Tomorrow and the initiatives to conserve North America’s critical wetlands.

5-Year Goal DU New England CT Grassroots & 5-Year Actual Conservation: MA

2004 - 2008 ME

Th e minimum NH conservation goal for each state is to spend the equivalent of 7.5% of total RI grassroots income raised in that state. Th is is based on VT a fi ve-year average. 2468101214

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats alsobenefit other wildlife and people.