Snow persistence and changing winters in the alpine and the White Mountains 

A presentation by the Appalachian Mountain Club 

Snowy winters are a defining feature of New England, with perhaps no place more iconic than the White Mountains as snow-covered winter destinations. Although winter conditions are changing around the region, there are areas at high elevation where cold conditions – and thus, snow – persist. The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Research team is studying the potential for snow refugia to allow time for cold-dependent species and winter activities to adapt amid shifting seasonality. In this presentation, we will share the regional context that highlights why we need enhanced snow monitoring in the mountains, and how snow refugia relate to forested landscapes as well as biodiverse alpine plant communities. We will share our most recent work that links the potential for managing ecosystems to retain snow with findings about how we could expect these special ecosystems to change. Finally, we will share results of the just-published White Mountains Almanac related to snow conditions, and how everyone can get involved in snow monitoring, from the alpine to their own backyard.

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Sarah Nelson is Director of Research at the AMC. Previously at the University of Maine (School of Forest Resources), she led and worked on US EPA Long-Term Lake Monitoring, including mountain ponds; atmospheric deposition, stream hydrology, and geochemical research at Acadia National Park; and served as co-PI and data manager for the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine. Current research includes lake geochemistry and climate influences, mercury in protected lands (including WMNF) across the country, snow science and monitoring, and changing winters.

 Georgia Murray is a Staff Scientist with the Appalachian Mountain Club since 2000. Previously she has conducted biogeochemical research for the Marine Biological Laboratory’s Ecosystem Center at Toolik, Alaska a Long-term Ecological Research site and maintained a long-term small watershed monitoring site within Olympic National Park while at the University of Washington. Georgia currently oversees Appalachian Mountain Club’s ambient air pollution program in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service including mountain-based monitoring of cloud, rain, and stream water chemistry in Wilderness areas in the White Mountain National Forest.

 Staff Scientist-Terrestrial Ecologist Dr. Jordon Tourville has a Ph.D., Ecology from the State University of New York – College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. His research focuses on the response of plant and forest communities, particularly in montane systems, to global change drivers. His current research includes investigating controls on tree species seedling establishment and distributions, environmental changes in understory plant phenology, and community changes of alpine vegetation in the northeastern US.

Community Forests in Northern New England  

A presentation by Julie Evans- Program Director, Northern Forest Center

There are an estimated in 400,000 acres of town-owned land in northern New England. This presentation will address their history, their potential, and how these locally controlled conservation lands provide ecological, economic, and social benefits.

Speaker Bio: Julie Renaud Evans is a Program Director at the Northern Forest Center, where she has worked since 2009. Julie was part of the team that originated the Community Forest model and is a national leader in helping communities and non-profits acquire and manage Community Forests to provide a sustainable flow of ecologic, economic, and social benefits. Julie uses her skills as a forester and former community planner to prepare and coach residents for their roles as permanent stewards for many Community Forests in the region. Julie earned both her M.A. in Environmental Education and B.S. in Forest Management from the University of New Hampshire.

Why has New Hampshire’s moose population declined? Along with interesting moose facts and Q&A

A presentation by Henry Jones, New Hampshire Fish and Game Moose Project Leader

The story of moose in New Hampshire, including why the population increased and is now declining, will be explained using moose ecology. Content will include how moose survive from day and to day and the consequent opportunities and challenges. Attendees should hope to gain a better understanding of what moose need and how they can help the moose population.

Speaker Bio: In this role Henry coordinates moose management in New Hampshire which includes monitoring the size and health of the moose population, promoting conservation of moose habitat, managing moose-related recreation, and providing information to the public. Henry earned a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of New Hampshire and has served as the Moose Project Leader since 2019. In his free time, Henry enjoys hunting, fishing, and helping at his family’s Christmas tree farm. 

Birds of the White Mountain National Forest

A presentation by David King

The White Mountains are home to hundreds of bird species occupying a range of habitats from the northern hardwoods to the montane spruce-fir forests. This presentation will focus on representative species and species folks might know or

are likely to encounter that occupy the White Mountains, including quirky behaviors, details on their natural history, and how we can contribute to their conservation.  With this description:  Today, the White Mountain National Forest is over 800,000 acres of public land and is visited by several million people annually. This illustrated program explores the reasons and events that led to the creation of this forest. We will look at the historical impact the forest conservation movement in New England had on the entire National Forest System.

Speaker Bio: Dave is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, and was formerly a Research Wildlife Biologist with the US Forest Service Northern Research station. My interests are in applied conservation research, including the effects of forest management, climate change, urbanization, habitat restoration and agroforestry on Neotropical migrants during breeding, migration and stopover, with an emphasis on full life cycle conservation. This multidisciplinary approach combines ecology, ornithology and conservation biology with advanced sampling, statistical and modeling techniques to evaluate the relationship between habitat conditions and stressors with the abundance and fitness of birds and other organisms. I am also keenly interested in the effects of anthropogenic influences on wildlife populations, with the objective of informing planning and management activities of conservation practitioners.

Carbon Stewardship in New Hampshire Forests

A presentation by Tony D'Amato & Sam Myers

Forests are increasingly being valued for the role they play in absorbing and storing carbon. Join us to hear the basics of forest carbon and the role New Hampshire’s forests play in supporting this important benefit. Examples of carbon stewardship in action will be used to highlight holistic strategies for sustaining a diversity of values and conditions in New Hampshire’s forest into the future.

Speaker Bios:

Sam Myers is a Forest Adaptation Specialist at the University of Vermont and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS). Her work supports forest managers across New England and New York in developing climate-informed management plans and adaptation projects to respond to climate challenges. She also provides technical assistance related to climate adaptation and carbon stewardship in regional forest ecosystems.

 Tony D’Amato is a Professor and Director of the Forestry Program at the University of Vermont. His research and outreach focus on developing forest stewardship strategies for adapting to changing forest conditions and societal goals and objectives.

Timber Management on the White Mountain National Forest

A presentation by Roger Boyer- USFS and Jason Lyle- USFS