Trails for People and Wildlife: Rye Conservation Commission

To find the best balance for trail locations that support people getting out to enjoy nature while allowing wildlife to thrive we recently completed an inventory and wildlife assessment for Rye. All trails, both official and boot-leg, were mapped and recommendations of potential trail reconfigurations were made based on science, ecology, and field documented conditions. 

Early last spring we coordinated with ARE and a researcher at UNH to collect high resolution LiDAR data at eight salt marsh sites. This was used to create detailed elevation maps to inform salt marsh restoration project design. High resolution aerial imagery was also collected to support a habitat mapping and change project for tidal wetlands statewide for which Birch Tree is Project Manager.

We recently completed an analysis of the conservation strategy and management of public conservation land throughout Amherst, NH evaluating things from a wildlife perspective. Observations went from the big-picture GIS analysis using NH Fish and Game's Wildlife Action Plan data down to individual volunteer actions including building bird nest boxes.