Volume XXI, Issue IV Autumn 2017 A Quarterly Publication for the Ossipee Watershed Published by the Green Mountain Conservation Group Heath Pond Bog is a national natural treasure By Celia Abrams sphagnum rubellum-small cranberry Bog visitors are asked to stay on the moss carpet. The outermost, and trails of the surrounding uplands and Heath Pond Bog, at the south end largest, ring is a leatherleaf-sheep not venture out onto the peat mat. of Ossipee Lake, is one of New laurel dwarf shrub community, with Other bogs in the state, such as Hampshire’s exemplary kettle hole scattered stunted black spruce and Philbrick-Cricenti Bog in New bog systems. Because of its great larch. Viewed in aerial mapping London, have boardwalks that cross diversity of peatland plants, the bog software, game trails can be seen the peat mat and allow visitors a was designated as a National Natural criss-crossing the shrubland. close-up view of the unusual plants Landmark in 1977. A trail leads Bogs present many challenges to of these peatland communities; go in southeast through the uplands from the plants that grow there. Sphagnum late June or July to see the orchids the parking lot on Route 25, and a moss underlies most of the vegetated and pitcher plants in bloom. short walk brings visitors to an portion and absorbs much of the overlook on the north end of the limited nutrients. This perpetuates pond then down to the edge of the the acidity of the water and Celia Abrams is a UNHCE Covert bog. incomplete decomposition of the Volunteer. The Kettle hole bogs were formed as peat. Peatland plants have developed Coverts Project volunteers promote glacial ice retreated from the wildlife habitat conservation and landscape and large chunks of ice forest stewardship. For more broke off and were buried in the information on NH Coverts Project glacial outwash. As these chunks of ice melted, they became ponds. With little or no water inlet or outlet, nutrient and oxygen levels were low, and the water was very acidic, slowing the rate of decomposition of any vegetation. Over thousands of years, layers of peat, partially decomposed vegetation, gradually several strategies that enable them to built up around the edges and filled live in these waterlogged conditions in much of these ponds. with low pH (< 4.0), low oxygen, Heath Pond Bog today is a 5 acre and low nutrient levels. The pond within a 40 acre heath bladderworts, pitcher plants and shrubland. The vegetation in some sundews are carnivorous, capturing portions of the bog is ungrounded insects and tiny aquatic animals to and floats on a peat mat. The pond is supply their nutrients. Some peatland contact Haley Andreozzi at surrounded by concentric rings of plants have formed symbiotic (603) 862-5327. three different peatland plant relationships with bacteria and fungi communities. The ring closest to the to obtain nutrients, while others use open water is a narrow black band, specialized tissue, aerenchyma, to the liverwort-horned bladderwort transport oxygen from their leaves to mud bottom community. The bright their root zone to support respiration. yellow flowers of the bladderwort The bog is a fragile habitat and the can be seen in midsummer. Next is a floating portions can also be somewhat broader red ring of dangerous to walk on, so Heath Pond

The Watershed News The Watershed News As leaves fall, reflections grow

The Watershed News is a quarterly publication of the Green Mountain By Blair Folts It is with a heavy heart that I write to let our Conservation Group, a non-profit, Fall is a poignant time for many of us. readers know that this is Corey Lane’s last 501(c ) 3, charitable organization We are reminded of the cycles of life season as the Water Quality Coordinator. established in 1997 and dedicated to the particularly with this season’s passing. Corey will be leaving GMCG in December. preservation of the natural resources in the Ossipee Watershed. The towns of Summer’s bounty is now withering and She has been such a strong and passionate Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Madison, passing into a renewal in the soils. Birds are leader with the water monitoring program and Ossipee, Sandwich and Tamworth make moving on to new climes, bees are closing up has guided so many volunteers over the past up the boundaries of the Ossipee hives for a winter rest and with GMCG our five years that she will be greatly missed. We Watershed. This watershed includes one of the largest and deepest stratified drift summer water will be aquifers in New Hampshire. GMCG also quality season is celebrating partners across the border into winding down a Corey’s time with Parsonsfield and beyond. Water does not have any political boundaries. few weeks early us at our annual due to funding Cookie Swap in GMCG’s purpose is twofold: constraints. December so Personally, I please join us as 1. To provide an organizational structure for a coalition of citizens have been we bid her a and local officials interested in challenged with hearty and warm identifying sensitive areas within my own farewell. the Watershed in need of protection; family’s With the arrival struggles as my of autumn, I sit by 2. To offer public educational events mother has been facing health issues. I am the vernal pool at Blue Heron House and am about conservation issues and grateful to the many volunteers, staff and mesmerized by the reflection of this new possible solutions regarding the preservation of unique natural board members who have supported me all home-to-be for the organization. Each month resources. summer though some difficult days. brings us one step closer to completion. The Philosophical ponderings have been doubly framing, insulation, electric, plumbing, Through research, education, advocacy expanded as I have also been reflecting all sheetrock and mudding are all completed. We and land conservation we strive to promote an awareness and appreciation summer on the past twenty years of my own have had some wonderful volunteer help over of our watershed’s natural resources and work with GMCG that many of you have the past summer but are needing to reach out encourage a commitment to protect been following on our Monday Memories again for more help as we enter this next them. posts. So many wonderful volunteers, phase. We need help with interior painting, Board of Directors interns, staff, board members and colleagues kitchen and bathroom installation and flooring have graced my life and I am humbled to installation. Please let us know if you have Blair Folts, President have had the opportunity to work and partner any extra time or expertise and can help Larry Wogman, Chairman Open, Vice Chairman with so many great folks across New volunteer weekends through the fall and early Nancy Wogman, Treasurer England. As the leaves fall, I am also winter. We would be happy to include you on Aysia Morency, Secretary reminded that all things come and go and our volunteer task force! Thanks.

Town Representatives come again—-just not always in the same In sitting by the pond, one can listen to the way. force of the river, marvel at the water that fills Eaton, Kristine Foster-Carbone Summer visitors have also shared many the pond via underground springs, watch the Effingham, Susan Slack stories with me this season about their own pond overflow into the vernal pool and wind Freedom, Alice Custard Madison, Jay Buckley observations of changes across the watershed its way to the creek and to the river and Ossipee, Emilie Talpin from land use changes to water course ponder that this one spot is the exit of all the Sandwich, Mark Longley changes to re-birth changes in terms of things water from the entire Tamworth, Kit Morgan like eagles coming back and more loons. Maine, Peter Zack Watershed as it heads to Maine and the Saco Again, things come and go and come again. River and the sea…..we are all connected by Staff Conservation work is sometimes very water. Peaceful blessings to you all this fall. difficult because it is a constant reminder of Executive Director, Blair Folts Water Quality, Corey Lane the three “ps”: the need to be patient, Education Coordinator: Karen Deighan persistent and to pace yourself. Nature is much better at this than we are. Take a moment to observe a tree and note that fall brings with it a chance to watch this transition in action.

2 GREAT VOLUNTEERS help GMCG complete 15th year of water monitoring

With help from over thirty dedicated Bays for deep water sampling from ice waters to cooler deep water) is high. volunteers every other week, May out through fall turnover. This anoxia usually develops slowly through October, thirty tributary sites All of this data is essential to the as summer progresses. Temperature have been monitored throughout the Ossipee Watershed Management Plan and oxygen profile data from Dr. Ossipee Watershed for the 15 th year. which is in the final stages of Phase 2 Doner show that Danforth Pond, from The collection of this data helps track with FB Environmental. May to Aug 2017, had oxygen levels the long term chemistry of the water and Recommendations with the report are at 10 feet that were as depleted as at provides information about changes to expected to be available at gmcg.org by the bottom, at 65 feet—basically the system. While volunteers are a December. Funding for the watershed “zero.” central part of collecting the water management plan is provided through a quality data, not to be forgotten are the Watershed Assistance Grant from the local businesses around the watershed NH Department of Environmental that assist with the exchange of the Services with Clean Water Act Section meters and monitoring equipment so that 319 funds from the U.S. EPA. testing can be completed before 9:00 am Update on Lower Danforth Pond: per EPA protocol. After three years of continuous, year- The winter testing of ten sites will round monitoring for temperature and continue to be monitored once a month sediment influx, the Danforth Pond from November through March. Once initiative by Plymouth State University again we are grateful to Dave Downs researcher Dr. Lisa Doner is wrapping and Rich Dandeneau who continue to up. While many of the findings are still take this task on without a complaint. being assessed, one of the most Thanks to UNH's Water Resource important findings about the water Research Center for support with quality there is that the pond is in a state analysis of grab samples for the of continuous severe anoxia below the RIVERS program as well. thermocline from April to December. GMCG is also grateful for all of The Most lakes experience some anoxia VLAP volunteers (Volunteer Lake near the bottom during the summer Tim Otterbach, left, collects deep Assessment Program) who made months, especially when the thermocline water samples on Ossipee Lake. monthly trips five times on the Lake and gradient (the transition from warm upper Source Water Protection grant to provide homeowner brochure With over 75 residents from around the Watershed easy ways they can protect shared groundwater resource participating in the Aquifer Protection Steering including suggestions for using non– toxic alternatives Committee through a NH Department of Environmental to pesticides; disposing leftover chemicals and paint at Services Local Source Water Protection Grant, there is annual household hazardous waste collection days; hope that a permanent, watershed wide non-regulatory checking your fuel storage tanks for leaks; inspecting committee will be established in the near future. The your septic tank every year and pumping it every 3-5 creation of a regional Aquifer Advisory Board will years and how to avoid damage to your leach field by ensure that shared drinking water resources will be keeping vehicles, livestock and other heavy objects off protected from incompatible development. your leach field. The brochure will also outline ways to As you may know, education is part of GMCG’s keep absorbent materials such as rags, pads, “Speedi- mission and it is a strong tool for water quality Dry” or kitty litter near work areas and the need to protection. With the aquifer being highly susceptible to refuel or repair engines over an impervious surface, contamination, educational brochures will be available such as a concrete floor or tarp. Finally, the brochure around the watershed and at gmcg.org soon. You will will also note the need to follow medicine disposal also be able to find a business brochure that will have a guidelines described at www.nh.gov/medsafety because checklist to assist businesses with meeting Env-DW these products, too, can contaminate ground water. 401 NH State Rule Requirements if they have five We can all make a difference by learning about how gallons or more of a Potential Contamination Source to protect our water and following Best Management (PCS) as well as emergency contact info in case of a Practices (BMPs). spill. The Committee is currently creating a homeowners brochure that will be distributed across the watershed. This document will help educate homeowners about 3 The Watershed News Fall school programs commence with VBAP and to analyze and present their data at a community meeting. Participating schools this year included sixth graders from KA Brett School in

Fall is time for the Volunteer Biological Assessment Program (VBAP)! GMCG is now in the 12th year of this program. This additional Effingham student collecting samples monitoring program, created by former GMCG Program Director Tara Ossipee. A new school has also Schroeder, provides a way to engage Sandwich students by Cold River been added this year —our down youth in data collection and water stream neighbors at Sacopee Valley quality analysis in the streams that are Tamworth who collected data from the High School in Maine. sampled through the adult water ; fourth, fifth and sixth If you would like to learn about quality monitoring program. Students graders from Sandwich Central School the program and the water quality are trained to collect who gathered water quality information in our tributaries, please join us on macroinvertebrate samples, assess for the 12th year in a row on the Cold November 30th when students will water quality and stream conditions River; Effingham Elementary School come together at Madison students who spent an afternoon on the Elementary School and give a South River across the border in community presentation on water Parsonsfield, Maine sampling for “bugs;” quality. Thanks to all the teachers, Ossipee Central School who sampled schools, students and volunteers for water quality in the Swift River in another successful fall sampling! Tamworth and Madison Elementary School whose students were responsible Brett students sampled Bearcamp for collecting data on the in Pequawket Foundation supports Water Literacy programs in Madison

The Ossipee Watershed Water Literacy- Educator Standards. Guide has been created and thanks to funding from the GMCG will pilot this Pequawket Foundation of New Hampshire Charitable free educational program Foundation, will be piloted with teachers from Madison to students and teachers in Elementary School. Madison. The programs The purpose of this guide is to act as a resource for will run over the course of educators in the Ossipee Watershed. The guide outlines the 2017-2018 school hands-on programs which encompass discovery and year. GMCG is deeply problem solving while allowing students to explore and grateful to the Foundation learn about their local watershed. As part of their for their support. discovery process, students will explore a research question, conduct investigations, collect evidence, use the evidence to describe their findings, and communicate their findings to an audience. Additionally, students will learn and practice map skills, such as reading and recognizing map components, spatial and geography awareness, and how to convey Dennis Morgan, President of The Pequawket Foundation, Education Coordinator, Karen Deighan with a check for science through technology. The programs and activities $2000.00 for youth water literacy programs. in the guide correlate to the Next Generation Science

4 The Watershed News Quick Reference Guide to Winter De-Icing can help protect water quality

By Mark Longley vegetation on the borders of your our favorite choice last year but is no walkway, driveway, or parking lot. longer available in the area. Again, Here's a list of products commonly Tracking sand into the home can be an take care to avoid claims such as used by home owners to improve issue with the person doing the 'enhanced with CMA', since most of traction on icy sidewalks and cleaning. these blends contain less than 5% driveways. There are over 100 CMA. commercially available products, most Wood Ash: Sprinkled on walks and of which are blends of the basic driveways, wood ashes will melt ice and Kitty Litter or Oil Absorbing components shown below. We suggest provide traction. They don't work quite Pellets: These silica-clay based that you focus on product composition as well as salt, and they can be messy if materials don’t contain salt, but also rather than the claims on the package. you don’t take steps to prevent the ashes don’t melt ice and may present a For example, many manufacturers tout from getting tracked into the house. But cleaning problem when tracked into the environmental and safety benefits they're free, and they won’t damage your house. of one of their product's components alkali-loving plants, animal paws, or when, in fact, that component paved surfaces. One cord of wood The Town of Sandwich continues to comprises only an insignificant part of produces about 50 lb. of wood ash. follow its low-salt approach to winter the blend. You might have to ask for a You may want to screen raw wood ash road maintenance. In fact, the town's MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) if before use. sand/salt blend has one of the lowest you’re not sure of the composition. chloride levels in New Hampshire. Please keep in mind that chlorides Magnesium Chloride: (MgCl2.6H2O) Many New England towns are contaminate our soils and water, so the In its pure form, this chemical melts ice abandoning road sand as this goal is to choose a product that is down to 13 deg. below zero Fahrenheit. commodity becomes more and more effective, safe, and economical while Pellets are more effective than flakes. A expensive, but fortunately for keeping chloride levels to a minimum. 50 lb. bag costs about $18 - $25. The Sandwich, our proximity to the Of course, it is always a good idea to chief advantage of Mag is that it Ambrose Pit helps keep our costs to remove as much snow and ice releases 40% less chloride ions to the a minimum (for now). mechanically before applying traction environment than sodium or calcium controls. We hope this short list helps chloride. It is relatively safe for This information provided by the you find a product right for your concrete and pets. Sandwich Agriculture Commission application. Bob Butcher (chair), Maggie Porter, Calcium Chloride: (CaCl2) This Dick Devens, Holly Cook, Pure Sand: Sand is very inexpensive product is effective to -25 deg F. and Pat Russell, Betty Alcock, Pat and readily available at hardware and costs about $15 for a 50 lb. bag. This Russell, Ginger Heard, Mark big box stores. Play sand is grittier than chemical is also used for dust control. Longley all-purpose sand, and is therefore a Unfortunately, it is harder to store (may Questions? Call 284-6294 better choice. Pure sands add NO become soggy), harmful to skin & chlorides to the environment. Sand paws, and releases as many chloride Mark Longley is the Sandwich improves traction on surfaces but ions as sodium chloride. Representative on the GMCG Board doesn't melt ice and in cold weather of Directors. may slide on top of the ice surface Sodium Chloride: (NaCl) Also called while giving a false sense of security. 'rock salt', this material is very You'll probably need to sweep the sand inexpensive but doesn't melt ice below buildup at the end of the season. 25 deg. F. and adds significant sodium and chloride ions to our soil and water. Town Sand: Residents may fill five 5- Acetates & Other Non-Chloridic gallon pails of sand at the highway Compounds: Although these products garage on North Sandwich Road, contain no chlorides, they are very courtesy of the Highway Dept. and expensive or less effective than the Town of Sandwich. This sand contains products listed above. CMA (Calcium about 3% (by volume) sodium Magnesium Acetate) has the best chloride, so be careful where you apply properties available. It is free of it because even at this low level chlorides, non-corrosive to metal, and is sodium chloride will kill grass and safe for concrete as well as pets. It was

5 The Watershed News Conservation Conversations

Editor’s Note: Conversations is During the summer months and intended to provide a forum for the continuing into the fall, the Ossipee seven towns of the Ossipee Watershed Conservation Commission (OCC) has to share news of their conservation been involved in their ongoing and planning activities and an process of conducing site opportunity to find creative solutions observations of land parcels currently to challenges. held in Conservation Easement. As Eaton part of this effort, the Conservation Commission will be identifying those parcels which have natural features Tamworth and size to warrant creating site access with a trail or trails through Hikin’ Herons are a group of This summer the site, a designated parking area, hikers who have hiked six blueberry management on Foss and an informational kiosk. This Tamworth trails maintained by Mountain continued. Loam was effort is being pursued in order to the Tamworth Conservation delivered to Brooks pasture to fill provide access to some of these natural areas for the pubic (in a low Commission. At each trailhead holes. Also, sulfur was spread on the there is a mailbox with maps of Brooks pasture fields and by the end of impact manner) to enhance the the summer positive results were seen. experience of living in or visiting that area. Hikers are recognized Kristy Foster Carbone led a hike on Ossipee. with an official Hikin’ Herons Foss Mountain. patch. The Hikin’ Herons Foss Mountain is 1647 feet tall and is The OCC is also in the process of challenge encourages people to an easy hike. The trail is a 0.9 mile designing and eventually fabricating discover, use and enjoy trail located near Eaton, New and erecting signage identifying Tamworth’s trails. This summer, Hampshire. It has scenic views and is major parcels currently held in a group of thirteen students from used for hiking. Foss Mountain has conservation easement. It is Brett School earned their Hikin’ two summits and blueberries (in anticipated the first of these signs will Herons patch. For more season). There is a trailhead kiosk. be erected in the spring. Several of information go to the parcels have unique wildlife www.tamworthconservationco Effingham habitats and special ecosystems; mmission.org/hikin-herons. along with great views.

The commission is also in the process of performing some site maintenance at the Windows on the Ossipee Mountains. This will enhance the spectacular views of the Ossipee Mountains. The Ossipee Conservation Commission continues Sandwich The to monitor both development and forest management activities within Sandwich is home to many top Effingham Conservation Commission Ossipee to ensure these activities are rate trails; from easy walking paths held a grand opening at the Pine River conducted to benefit the town’s to long bike trails you’ll find them Cherubini Preserve on Pine River overall environmental value, as well in Sandwich. Many trails are pet Road. They were celebrating the new as, accommodate economic growth. friendly. For more information, trail that connects the property to an visit old logging road and then continues to http://www.sandwichnh.org/ the river. The ECC boasted that this is information/area_hiking_trails.php the best view of nature in Effingham. This trail is open to the public and all are invited to visit!

Ossipee

6 The Watershed News Save the Date! 2017 Autumn Calendar October 7, 8, and 9 Sandwich Fair, 7 Wentworth Hill Road, Center sandwich, NH. GMCG will have an educational booth near the craft building. We are looking for volunteers to help run the booth. We are asking folks to commit to a 3-hour shift. If you are interested, please email Karen at [email protected] November 30, 2017 Youth Water Quality Presentation, 6 –8 pm. Madison Elementary School, 2069 Village Road, Madison, NH. Youth from ten schools in the Ossipee Watershed will give a presentation on their water quality results. Through the Volunteer Biological Assessment Program (VBAP) they tested the water quality of the local streams and rivers by collecting macro invertebrates. December 19, 2017 2nd Annual Less Plastic Day People are invited to avoid plastic for one day and share it on the dedicated Facebook page. Please visit GMCG.org for more information.

SAVE THE DATE!!!!! CELEBRATE GMCG’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

PLEASE! Renew your membership today! Every drop counts! Thank you!

(Please make checks payable to Green Mountain Conservation Group Box 95, Effingham, NH 03882) You may also donate online at www.gmcg.org/we-need-your-help/

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

7 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Effingham, NH Permit No. 10

P.O. Box 95 196 Huntress Bridge Road Effingham, NH 03882 (603) 539-1859 The Watershed News www.gmcg.org [email protected] Save the date!

Youth Water Quality Presentation November 30 Madison, NH

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