Open Areas

Residential and commercial development in Eaton ranges from maintained gardens and manicured lawns to two-story buildings in Eaton Center and Snowville. Some wildlife species have learned to use residential and commercial developed areas for things like nesting or finding food sources. For example, the chimney swift, was once known to nest in large hallow trees in the forest, but as this resource has declined, the species now almost exclusively nests in the chimneys of buildings.  330 acres in Eaton is classified as Developed Inpervious consisting primarily of roads, buildings, and parking lots.

Many insect species including monarch butterflies and the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee frequent crop fields, orchards, gardens and other locations with flowering plants maintained by humans in developed areas.  There are 434 acres of Developed or Barren land in Eaton.  Although development can cause problems for wildlife, some species have figured out how to adapt to certain conditions.

216 acres in Eaton are Grasslands comprised of grasses, sedges, and wildflowers with little to no shrubs and trees. The most common grassland habitats are agricultural fields. Pre-colonial grasslands in New Hampshire were probably only maintained by beaver and fires started by lightening and Native Americans. The numerous agricultural lands maintained by early European settlers provided ideal habitat for some wildlife species that need grassland habitat. As these agricultural lands were abandoned, these populations began to decline and are now on the state list of species of greatest conservaiton need such as the eastern box turtle, northern leopard frog, American kestral, bobolink, and ruffed grouse.

Other species also benefit from these open grass fields such as wood turtles, eastern coyotes pictures above, and numerous species of bumble bees and butterflies.  Development and natural forest succession have reduced grassland habitat in the state. Most remaining grasslands require maintenance and must be mowed to prevent them from becoming shrublands or forests.  Reclaiming and maintaining grasslands are two important conservation strategies for grassland habitats. Many grassland and potential grassland habitat are on private land and landowners can help restore and conserve them.