Conservation Plan to Inventory Wildlife

                                                                                 in

                                                                            Belmont

                                                                            by Jeff Marden                                           

Statement of Purpose:

To identify and document wildlife and their habitats for the purpose of educating residents of Belmont, conservation, recreation, data, and better management practices.

Goals:

           To map/GPS all existing food sources, travel corridors, road crossings, and resting/breeding areas, to annually monitor wildlife and habitat       

            To assist in the proper management of nut/fruit producing trees

            To assess/document and inventory species that use vernal pools, swamps/beaver ponds and other small tributaries

            To assist in the collection of data/count of wildlife (Flora and fauna) within Belmont

            To maintain/enhance recreational opportunities such as: hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing

            To educate landowners/town on the diversity of young and old forests and their importance to wildlife

            How to conserve and apply better management practices. 

References:

            1992 Belmont master plan

            NH Fish and Game Dept.

            Natural Heritage Inventory

            Audubon Society

            Town Records

Review of Natural Resources Inventory:

            1992 Master Plan/Conservation Commission

            1998 Infrared Photos of Belmont

            2000 Basic Inventory Maps

Interpretation of the NRI:

            1992 Master Plan/Conservation Commission show's general information on specific areas.

            1998 Infrared Photos of Belmont show the stands of softwoods that need to have field studies done to document the use or potential for use by a wide variety of wildlife (Flora and fauna)

            2000 Basic Inventory Maps show town boundaries, transportation  networks,

            large unfragmented lands, waters, wetlands, agricultural soils etc.

Landscape Level Considerations:

            Biological needs of all wildlife (Flora and fauna)

            Habitat conservation

            Voluntary approaches to habitat conservation

            Regulatory approaches to habitat conservation

Recommended Types and Levels of Protection for Items of Interest:

            Landowners with diverse stands of trees, that are found to be a viable habitat  for wildlife can be asked to voluntary conserve this habitat for X number of years depending on diversity, productivity, browse, forage

            Landowners may also receive a permit for discretionary easements or tree value incentives

            The town should set up educational information that could be given to landowners to help them understand advantages/disadvantages of properly maintained forests           

            The town could establish a “deforestation ordinance” on stands of trees shown to be a viable asset to wildlife    

Action Plan:

            Educational programs:  Project serve (students for environmental resource volunteerism and education) high school students would have the opportunity to earn academic credit by working with the conservation commission or other community conservation group on local environmental issues.  It introduces students to town government and responsibilities of volunteerism for a healthy community.  The students with the guidance of a mentor in school adviser complete environmental projects requested by the conservation commission or other organization.

            Community environmental outreach project (C. E. O. P.) is a program for environmentally-oriented students throughout the University of NH community.  Consulting teams of two to four students work with community or  nonprofit organizations for the entire academic year (September -- April) the cost to the community ranges from $300 to a $800