2025 PROGRAM & ACTIVITY LIST
Follow the links to find flyers, writeups, and photos from programs and activities that have already taken place.
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05/16 May Fundraiser - Member Plant Sale
05/17 May Fundraiser - Public Plant Sale
06/13 June Program - Field Trip to Saint Gaudens
06/27 June Program - Field Trip to Lavender Fields
07/10 July Activity - iNaturalist Training
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07/00 July Activity - Music in the Meadows
07/11 July Program - Field Trip to Lavender Harvest
07/00 August Activity - Music in the Meadows
08/15 August Program - Field Trip to Billings Farms
09/12 September Program - Member Appreciation Party
10/10 October Program -
11/14 November Program -
12/06 December Activity - Breakfast with Santa
12/11 December Activity - Holiday Party
12/12 December Program - Holiday Workshop
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MAY ACTIVITY
Posted 05/10/2025
Our thanks to Diane Bilotta for organizing this community activity for the 5th year in a row!
Despite the rain, several hearty members of our community showed up for this activity and Diane Bilotta was at the Grantham Town Hall lower-level parking lot at 8:30am to greet them! Diane encouraged everyone who wanted to participate, just not in the rain, to swing by to register and pick up 2-3 blue litter bags, and then wait for a sunny day to kick into action because the Grantham transfer station will accept blue litter bags as long as your vehicle has a yellow town sticker. Mark your calendars now for the second Saturday in May, 2026 to participate next year, and let's all hope for a lovely sunny day!
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APRIL PROGRAM
Posted 04/01/2025
Our thanks to Emma Kalaidjian, Program Team Leader, for organizing this program.
MANAGING OUR AGING NEW HAMPSHIRE FORESTS – Program Summary
Posted 05/06/2025
Our thanks to Forestry Field Specialist, Dode Gladders, for sharing his knowledge of forest ecology and management practices with us. The following summary of the program has been provided by Emma Kalaidjian.
At our April 11 member meeting, we enjoyed a most enlightening presentation by Dode Gladders, Sullivan County Forester and UNH Extension Forestry Field Specialist, on forest ecology and management practices. Aging forests can be managed to restore species that have been lost to poor management, or no management, creating a more resilient biodiverse environment for trees, plants, wildlife habitat and us.
A bit of History
We learned that deforestation peaked in New Hampshire in the 1840’s when 75-85% of forested land was cleared for farming, timber harvesting and large-scale sheep farming, especially merino wool sheep. Stone boulders and walls were ubiquitous, placed in the landscape for managing large flocks and supporting the sheep industry that can still be found today. Farms in New Hampshire were abandoned between the Civil War and WWI and the forests quickly grew back, starting mainly with White Pines.
A bit of History
We learned that deforestation peaked in New Hampshire in the 1840’s when 75-85% of forested land was cleared for farming, timber harvesting and large-scale sheep farming, especially merino wool sheep. Stone boulders and walls were ubiquitous, placed in the landscape for managing large flocks and supporting the sheep industry that can still be found today. Farms in New Hampshire were abandoned between the Civil War and WWI and the forests quickly grew back, starting mainly with White Pines.
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Forest Succession
Dode explained that a key concept in forest ecology and forest succession is shade tolerance. Trees are always competing for light. And their capacity to compete for light and to survive will result in changes in forest communities overtime. For example, the taller the canopy grows, the more competition for light, and trees like Birch that can’t thrive in shade will be overtopped by Maple and Beech and will eventually die. This competition must be considered in adopting forest management goals and practices.
“Shade intolerant” trees, such as Aspen, White Birch, Black Cherry, and Red Pine grow quickly, up to 40-80 feet, but are short-lived and can’t reproduce. These are referred to as “early successional trees.” Oak, Hickory, Red Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, Balsam and Fir are examples of ”old growth,” “late successional,” or “climax trees”. Some may live from 200-300 years with no natural or other “disturbances.” Dode said that many of the stands around Grantham are “even-aged” stands and most forests in this area are around 100 years old. He also informed us that Sullivan County’s Red Oak is considered “the best Red Oak in the world.”
Dode explained that a key concept in forest ecology and forest succession is shade tolerance. Trees are always competing for light. And their capacity to compete for light and to survive will result in changes in forest communities overtime. For example, the taller the canopy grows, the more competition for light, and trees like Birch that can’t thrive in shade will be overtopped by Maple and Beech and will eventually die. This competition must be considered in adopting forest management goals and practices.
“Shade intolerant” trees, such as Aspen, White Birch, Black Cherry, and Red Pine grow quickly, up to 40-80 feet, but are short-lived and can’t reproduce. These are referred to as “early successional trees.” Oak, Hickory, Red Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, Balsam and Fir are examples of ”old growth,” “late successional,” or “climax trees”. Some may live from 200-300 years with no natural or other “disturbances.” Dode said that many of the stands around Grantham are “even-aged” stands and most forests in this area are around 100 years old. He also informed us that Sullivan County’s Red Oak is considered “the best Red Oak in the world.”
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Forest Disturbances
Natural or human-made disturbances will also affect succession. Tornados, hurricanes, floods, drought, disease, pests and logging are examples. Dode mentioned that Nematodes, or beech leaf disease, are killing Ash and Beech trees in the southern half of NH. Perhaps fortunately, the damage done by certain pests and diseases is limited to certain species, e.g. Chestnut blight, beech leaf disease and Dutch Elm disease attack only those trees, and the Emerald Ash Borer will kill only Mountain Ash. Endangered bird species
Since about 1960, there has been a decline in young forest or shrubland habitat that has resulted in a significant decline in “shrubland birds.” Particularly affected are the eastern towhee, field sparrow, blue bunting, blue-winged warbler, brown thrasher, prairie warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, and gray catbird. |
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Silviculture and Forest Regeneration
The U.S. Forest Service defines silviculture as “the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis “(Helms 1998, USDA Forest Service 2004). More specifically, it uses one or more systems of “a planned series of treatments for tending, harvesting, and reestablishing a stand” (Helms 1998).
To encourage forest regeneration, foresters employ various methods of silviculture depending on the goals of harvesting, which species are present, which species need restoration, and what are the existing site characteristics and light conditions. Dode discussed five basic methods for even-aged stand regeneration and some specific to the Grantham Town Forest:
The U.S. Forest Service defines silviculture as “the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis “(Helms 1998, USDA Forest Service 2004). More specifically, it uses one or more systems of “a planned series of treatments for tending, harvesting, and reestablishing a stand” (Helms 1998).
To encourage forest regeneration, foresters employ various methods of silviculture depending on the goals of harvesting, which species are present, which species need restoration, and what are the existing site characteristics and light conditions. Dode discussed five basic methods for even-aged stand regeneration and some specific to the Grantham Town Forest:
- “Clearcutting” allows for the most light, enabling forbes, grasses, shrubs like blackberries and raspberries, shade intolerant trees and seeds on the wind to establish a young forest habitat supporting birds and other wildlife.
- “Seed-Tree Cutting” allows 5-10 desired trees to remain, and the harvested terrain looks similar to a savannah, encouraging the establishment of new early successional plants.
- “Patch cuts” are used to regenerate a diverse portfolio of trees and shrubs, for early succession habitat, including those that require full sun, like White Birch and Black Cherry, usually on plots smaller than 10 acres.
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TNC Green Hills climate-adaptive silviculture
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is leading an effort with several environmental partners to implement “climate-adaptive” silvicultural approaches in a 1,328-acre project area within the TNC managed Green Hills Preserve spanning over 5,500 acres in east-central NH. According to TNC, the project is intended “to promote the co-benefits of climate resilience, diverse wildlife habitat, forest carbon sequestration and storage, and sustainable forest products.” Carbon storage is the highest in older forests.
Seasonal climate extremes such as heat, drought and flooding, as well as forest pests and diseases are creating a challenge to maintaining native tree species diversity.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is leading an effort with several environmental partners to implement “climate-adaptive” silvicultural approaches in a 1,328-acre project area within the TNC managed Green Hills Preserve spanning over 5,500 acres in east-central NH. According to TNC, the project is intended “to promote the co-benefits of climate resilience, diverse wildlife habitat, forest carbon sequestration and storage, and sustainable forest products.” Carbon storage is the highest in older forests.
Seasonal climate extremes such as heat, drought and flooding, as well as forest pests and diseases are creating a challenge to maintaining native tree species diversity.
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In addition to employing silvicultural methods mentioned above to foster early successional species, recruit shade intolerant tree species, accelerate the growth of native species, restore and maintain species that can cope with warmer, drier conditions, and develop new age classes, the project participants will also plant some other tree species from farther south, warmer regions, species expected to be adapted to future climate conditions and some not currently established at the site, in a process called "forest-assisted migration." Those include Black Birch, Chestnut, White Oak, Eastern Hemlock, Beech, Red Pine and Shagbark Hickory.
Dode informed us that there will be a tour about the project in North Conway in July.
Dode informed us that there will be a tour about the project in North Conway in July.
MARCH PROGRAM
Posted 02/10/2025
Our thanks to Emma Kalaidjian, Program Team Leader, for organizing this program.
THE ART OF A NATURALIST – Program Summary
Posted 04/06/2025
Our thanks to artist Daisy Hebb for sharing her spectacular artwork and knowledge with us.
The following summary of the program has been provided by Emma Kalaidjian. Artwork provided by Daisy Hebb.
On an uncharacteristically sunny and mild March 14, with the promise of spring on the way, we were treated to a most informative and enjoyable talk with Daisy Hebb, artist and naturalist. She delivered a magnificent compendium of pollinators and their symbiotic relationships with native plants and trees that are essential to a healthy ecosystem, all conveyed through her beautiful art.
The Unequal Cellophane Bee on a Red Maple
Daisy studied geography, ecology and cartography at the University of Montana where the idea first dawned on her that, as she says, “one should try to manage people to manage wildlife through teaching awareness about wildlife”. She determined that she could promote such awareness through her art. And teaching she has! Her elegant graphic art offers colorful portraits of the various types of bees and lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, and caterpillars) and what they need for nourishment as well as what they can nourish higher up on the food chain.
Daisy’s colorful and informative calendars, note cards and prints can be found on Etsy at Green Blossom Painting.
Daisy presented images from both her “Native Plants and their Pollinators” and “Keystone Species” art series. The pictures and graphics demonstrate that native plants are vital to support diverse, well-functioning ecosystems, and especially vital are those Keystone plant species. These plants, like the center stone that supported the Roman arch, were found in the research of Desiree Narrango, Douglas Tallamy and Kimberly Shropshire to be the most effective in supporting significantly more lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, and caterpillars) , approximately 75% more in landscapes with them. Without them, bees, butterflies, and birds cannot thrive.
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Since the 1970s, over 3 billion North American birds, or about 30%, have been lost resulting primarily from both food source and habitat loss. This is why it is so important to include masses of native plants in our landscaping, including the Keystones, as well as “community corridors” that provide food and cover for wildlife enabling them to move safely from one place to another. These efforts can support their migration and generally help to support the delicate balance of nature.
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Keystone Trees and Plants
The Keystone trees include oak (the king of Keystones), maple, cherry, pine, aspen, birch and cottonwood, to name a few. Oaks are the most powerful hosts supporting 400+ caterpillar species. Maples support more than 275 species of lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, and caterpillars) and birch support over 400 species.
Blueberry bushes, Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans), Helianthus (Sun flowers), Solidago (Golden Rod), Viola (Violets) and Aster are examples of Keystone plants.
These trees and plants are critical to the food web by providing both food and habitat for the most important species of pollinators - bees, caterpillars, butterflies and moths - and for other wildlife like birds (baby birds need lots of soft, protein and fat rich caterpillars!) and useful insects.
Blueberry bushes, Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans), Helianthus (Sun flowers), Solidago (Golden Rod), Viola (Violets) and Aster are examples of Keystone plants.
These trees and plants are critical to the food web by providing both food and habitat for the most important species of pollinators - bees, caterpillars, butterflies and moths - and for other wildlife like birds (baby birds need lots of soft, protein and fat rich caterpillars!) and useful insects.
Two Classes of Pollinators
The most prolific pollinators are, of course, bees. Daisy emphasized that “pollen is rich baby bee food, containing protein and fats. Keystone pollen plants significantly outperform others at serving up pollen”. There are two classes of pollinators, “generalists” and “specialists”, in terms of their natural or required host plants. Generalists enjoy a wider variety of native plant food. Specialist bees, caterpillars and butterflies can eat only one or two types of leaves or pollinator plants. Two examples of pollinators who can survive only on one type of plant are the Monarch who require milkweed and the Karner Blue butterfly whose larva and caterpillar can eat only wild blue lupines. The Karner Blue cannot survive on any other type of lupine.
Another example of a specialist butterfly is the Great Spangled Fritillary whose larval and caterpillar host plants are native violets. Examples among bees are the Blueberry Cellophane that feed on the blueberry plant genera such as common low bush blueberry, Trout Lily Miner bees that feed on trout lily, and Honey Banded Mining bees that feed on goldenrod and asters. Of peculiar interest, Blueberry Cellophane bees also emit strong sound waves that have the effect of casting off more pollen. Most specialist bees are solitary ground-nesting or are found in bare sandy soil, dried leaves or rotting wood.
Landscaping Strategies
Daisy offered illustrated strategies for using native plants in landscaping that can provide shelter, conserve water and help support the local food web. First, reduce or eliminate lawns. Lawns have very little ecosystem value. Create paths to delineate clumps of plants that replace the lawn. Use rocks of varying sizes for interest and for wildlife hiding places, tall sculptures or frames for vines to climb. Start removing invasives. Not only do they take up ground, but they also take up needed “solar space” for soil warmth and microbial activity especially in the spring. Try using boiling water instead of chemicals to get rid of invasives and consider mock hornets’ nests to deter predators. Reserve some areas of dry sandy soil for the ground nesting bees. Another suggestion, create “bee hotels”. Leave plant stems 1½ -2 feet tall (24 inches) in the spring after snow melt into May or June. Bees will chew out the center, lay eggs and leave pollen nectar. This can also feed overwintering and migratory birds.
Daisy recommends establishing a structure of low and medium growing native plants and bushes and one or a few indigenous trees that support numerous species of pollinators. Examples of these might include low growing violets, ephemerals, low bush blueberry and wild strawberry, medium height viburnum, rudbeckia, echinacea or monarda, and trees such as oak, pine, black cherry, maple or birch. Daisy recommends a good mix of natives, up to 20, but mass is more important than the number of plants. With an additional 10 Keystone plants new species will arrive for the larger food supply. Also, having a diversity of plants increases the likelihood that the specialists can thrive. (With the Keystones, you have to appreciate that your plants will be eaten!)
Provide “soft landing zones” in the fall, particularly under canopies of trees, or inside defined borders, such as a container or a stacked stone circle, with plenty of dried leaves and some decomposing wood. These can also incorporate native plants. Most caterpillars will pupate after falling into these cozy, safe zones.
Endangered species: the big leaf lupine on the right is native to the western United States and comes in blue, purple, pink, and white. It is becoming prolific in the North-East, which is endangering the Karner Blue butterfly by crowding out its only host, the wild blue lupine (referred to as the Sundial Lupine in Daisy's print).
Daisy recommends establishing a structure of low and medium growing native plants and bushes and one or a few indigenous trees that support numerous species of pollinators. Examples of these might include low growing violets, ephemerals, low bush blueberry and wild strawberry, medium height viburnum, rudbeckia, echinacea or monarda, and trees such as oak, pine, black cherry, maple or birch. Daisy recommends a good mix of natives, up to 20, but mass is more important than the number of plants. With an additional 10 Keystone plants new species will arrive for the larger food supply. Also, having a diversity of plants increases the likelihood that the specialists can thrive. (With the Keystones, you have to appreciate that your plants will be eaten!)
Provide “soft landing zones” in the fall, particularly under canopies of trees, or inside defined borders, such as a container or a stacked stone circle, with plenty of dried leaves and some decomposing wood. These can also incorporate native plants. Most caterpillars will pupate after falling into these cozy, safe zones.
Endangered species: the big leaf lupine on the right is native to the western United States and comes in blue, purple, pink, and white. It is becoming prolific in the North-East, which is endangering the Karner Blue butterfly by crowding out its only host, the wild blue lupine (referred to as the Sundial Lupine in Daisy's print).
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
Posted 02/10/2025
Our thanks to Emma Kalaidjian, Program Team Leader, for organizing this program.
The Love of Farming in Grantham – Program Summary
Posted 02/10/2025
Our thanks to Jeff and Susan Figley, owners and operators of the King Blossom Farm, for sharing their time and expertise with us.
The following summary of the program has been provided by Emma Kalaidjian. Photos were provided by King Blossom Farm.
We had a big turn-out on a bitter cold Valentine’s Day for our February program speakers, Jeff and Susan Figley, owners and operators of King Blossom Farm, one of the last operating farms in Grantham. They are growers of heirloom apples, some over 135 years old, and heirloom tomatoes, and a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as purveyors of preserves, jellies, butters, syrups, seasonings and honey from the bounty of their farm and orchard.
They named their farm King Blossom after the central bud surrounded by a circle of five buds on the fruiting spur of the branch that is the first to blossom.
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Throughout their presentation, we were treated to a multitude of pictures of fruits, vegetables and herbs from their various plots that made us yearn for warmer days of summer!
The farm and orchard is over 135 years old and is located on just about 6 acres on Dunbar Hill Road. When the Figley’s bought it in 1983, it had been unattended for over 10 years. The transformation of the property from 1983 to its current orchard and farm is amazing, showing the tremendous labor and care that the Figley’s have devoted in reviving and stewarding it.
We learned about their heirloom apples that many of us had never seen before, in colors, shapes and sizes that we were unaccustomed to. Two of Jeff’s favorites apples are shown in these next two pictures.
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Varieties of Apples
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One is the Cox Orange English dessert apple (left) that is a light orange-red in color with light red striping and has a sweet and tart taste. The other is the Hudson's Golden Gem apple (right), pale yellow with a little brown russet, elongated in shape, that looks and tastes like a combination of an apple and a Bosc pear, very sweet.
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Other heirlooms offered are the Black Oxford (left), a deep purple with light russeting, dense white flesh and sweet, and the Blue Pearmain (center), sweet and crunchy. The Winter Banana (right) is similar to a Granny Smith.
Varieties of Tomatoes
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Their heirloom and other tomatoes, including Costoluto heirlooms that Susan recommends for a rich, meaty BLT, or with fresh mozzarella and basil, are Red and Green Zebras for gazpachos, Atomic Grape tomatoes growing 10-12’ high in a variety of colors, green, purple, red, yellow, striped, great for snacking, and last, but not least, the big, two-handed Big Boy!
Other Interesting Varieties and Gardening Practices
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The Lemon Cukes picture was really cool. They look like little yellow gourds and we were told that they are great sliced, in some adult beverages!
We also learned that the male specie of asparagus is much larger and tastier that the skinnier female that one finds in grocery stores! The farm’s “high tunnel” style greenhouse allows seeds and plants to grow faster and profusely in a protected, weed free space. Inside, tall trellis systems are used for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans and eggplants to grow vertically for increased yield. It’s a veritable veggie jungle! |
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The HEIRLOOM Gourmet Shop
Susan transforms much of this bounty into preserves and jellies, butters, over two dozen simple syrups and relishes and a variety of dried herbs and seasonings all available at the farm and at The Heirloom Gourmet Shop on Etsy. She also makes a delicious golden light honey from her beekeeping with her friends at Daisy Hill Farm. She is expanding those operations at Stocker Pond.
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And, oh her orchids are gorgeous!
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There are a number of herbs to be had at the farm, including 5 varieties of basil, oregano, dill, thyme, mints, chamomile, lemon balm. If you grow your own basil, Susan recommends letting some flower as pollinators love them.
The Figleys have plenty of pests to contend with
Fencing around the fruit trees is a must for grazing deer as are rodent guards for porcupines and other critters. Aphids, apple scab, curculios beetles, worms and fire blight must all be managed. They consult with the Network for Environmental and Weather Applications, a part of the New York State Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University, that offers weather and science driven integrated pest management tools.
The Figleys are not only good stewards of their land, but also of the community. As an example, they donate from one to two tons of apples to Willing Hands for gleaning each year.
See you at the farm this summer!
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