Category: News

Bears are back

The Granite State’s black bears are appearing from their winter dens and starting to search for any available food sources, according to a press release from New Hampshire Fish and Game on March 14. Bears will be attracted to a wide array of human food sources, such as bird feeders

Dan Bailey, Bear Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game, explained in a statement that “bears denned rather late last fall due to a plentiful amount of natural foods and they then remained inactive almost all winter despite fairly mild temperatures. However, spring has arrived a few weeks early, and bears are becoming active in various areas of the state. This is a common sign of spring in New Hampshire and should not be a cause for concern to residents. It simply means that it is time to prepare for foraging bears and remove or secure all backyard food sources.”

In the same press release, state officials asked the New Hampshire public to take down bird feeders no later than April 1 in all areas of the state, or earlier if bears are already present. They mentioned that backyard farmers should protect poultry, livestock and bees with electric fencing, and to remember this when acquiring new chicks this spring. Additionally, the release said residents can help prevent attracting bears by securing dumpsters and garbage cans as well as storing grills, pet food and animal feed indoors.

“Building good bear–human relationships is far more successful when people are proactive, and it is easier to avoid a conflict than resolve one,” Bailey said in the statement. “Bears have an extremely acute sense of smell, long memories, and high intelligence. We really need the help of residents to inhibit emerging bears from returning to locations where they have been previously successful in finding backyard food sources. Largely, the public can control bear behavior and activity by controlling food attractants around their homes. Human responsibility and awareness are the most important tools for preventing conflicts with bears.”

Twenty-five percent of annual bear-human encounters are directly caused by bird feeders, the release said. The same release noted that since food is plentiful for birds in the spring and summer, people should consider bird baths or flowering plants to attract birds instead.

Other top bear attractants include unprotected chickens and other poultry, and unsecured garbage cans and dumpsters, the release said.

“If the public would be willing to address these three common attractants, we could quickly reduce annual bear–human encounters by more than 80%, which would be tremendous,” said Bailey.

For more information, call -888-749-2327 (1-888-SHY-BEAR) , which is coordinated jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department or visit nhfishgame.com

Moose hunt lottery

New Hampshire’s 2024 moose hunt lottery is open, according to a March 13 press release from New Hampshire Fish and Game. There is entrance fee of $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents, with applications online or available at any Fish and Game license agent, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department headquarters, and Fish and Game regional offices.

The same release said moose hunt lottery applications for 2024 must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight on Friday, May 31, and can also be delivered to the Licensing Office at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department headquarters (11 Hazen Dr. in Concord) before 3:45 p.m. that day. Winners of the 33 permits are selected through a computerized random drawing and will be announced on Friday, June 21.

According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, the current moose population in New Hampshire is around 3,000 animals. This year’s hunt will run from Oct. 19 to Oct. 27. Visit wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/moose-hunting-new-hampshire.

Conservation grants

The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is accepting proposals for the 2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant, which is funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior – National Park Service to provide financial assistance to local units of government and is administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and Division of Parks and Recreation, according to a press release. The LWCF program funds projects to develop, renovate and acquire public outdoor recreational spaces. It was recently approved for funding picnic area constructions, development of the new Canal Street Riverfront Park in Concord, and the replacement of playground facilities, among other projects, according to the same release. The application deadline is Friday, June 7. State Parks will determine eligibility. Visit nhstateparks.org/about-us/community-recreation/land-water-conservation-fund-grant.

Wetland restoration

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services will hold a virtual office hour on Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m. for interested applicants to learn about the more than $5.5 million available for wetland and stream restoration through the Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund for five watersheds: the Merrimack River, Pemigewasset-Winnipesaukee River, Saco River, Salmon Falls-Piscataqua River and Lower Connecticut River service areas. Pre-proposals are due May 31. Visit des.nh.gov or email [email protected]. Register at atdes.nh.gov/news-and-media/more-55-million-available-wetland-and-stream-restoration.

On Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord (45 S. Main St.) will host #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner as she promotes her new thriller Still See You Everywhere. According to Gibson’s website, Gardner will talk about her latest in the Frankie Elkin series with New Hampshire thriller writer Paula Munier, author of the Mercy Carr mystery series. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com.

On Tuesday, March 26, families can come together to play board games or complete puzzles in the children’s room at Manchester City Library (405 Pine St.) from 5 to 7 p.m. for Family Game Night, according to the library website. Visit manchester.lib.nh.us or call 624-6550, ext. 7628.

Salem Winter Market will be held at Labelle Winery in Derry (14 Route 111) on Sunday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Visit salemnhfarmersmarket.org.

Francophonie NH

On Wednesday, March 13, at 9:30 a.m. Gov. Chris Sununu was scheduled to issue a proclamation on the historical and continuing importance of French in New Hampshire’s culture, according to a press release, at the New Hampshire Statehouse (107 N. Main St. in Concord). Special guests were slated to include Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, and Marie-Claude Francoeur, Delegate of Quebec in Boston. The event was scheduled as part of the Executive Council meeting.

Nominate nurses

The Foundation for Healthy Communities (FHC) announced in a press release that nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Clint Jones Nursing Award. According to the release, this annual award recognizes a registered nurse practicing in New Hampshire who exemplifies the practice of compassionate, quality nursing care and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the nursing profession.

The Clint Jones Nursing Award was developed in honor of Clint Jones, who worked with extraordinary enthusiasm and commitment at the Foundation and several other New Hampshire organizations, to encourage people to pursue nursing careers in hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities and community practices, according to the press release. Selection criteria include demonstration of excellence and enthusiasm in the delivery of patient care; communication with patients, their families and health care colleagues; commitment to nursing as a career, and inspiration to other nurses and health care professionals as a role model, according to the same release. Registered nurses who have practiced for at least one year but not more than six years are eligible to be nominated.

The Foundation will work with the recipient’s nominator to schedule a celebration at their health care facility during National Nurses Week, May 6 through May 12. The recipient will be recognized at the NHHA & FHC annual meeting, Oct. 20 through Oct. 22.

The nomination form can be found at bit.ly/3Tn75Nd. The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 8. Questions can be addressed to [email protected].

Second term

Lori Harnois was confirmed by the Governor and Executive Council for a second term as the director of the Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) at the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), according to a March 7 press release. In a statement, BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell stated that “under Lori’s leadership, New Hampshire’s tourism industry has set records nearly every season for visitation and visitor’s spending.” The statement continued that “her collaborative nature has helped strengthen relationships with key tourism leaders from around the state. Her work in the state has elevated New Hampshire on a national level by being elected to serve on the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors.”

The same press release stated that Harnois developed and administered programs aimed at growing the tourism industry within the state, specifically increasing visitor spending and jobs, advanced strategies to support business and workforce recruitment, and that her overall responsibility of the strategic direction of DTTD, including all campaigns, led to her confirmation. See visitnh.gov for information on New Hampshire tourism.

Law protects your data

According to a March 6 press release, Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 255 into law to protect consumer data. Under the new law, according to the same release, New Hampshire is now the 14th state to pass comprehensive consumer privacy protections to ensure that Granite State consumers can view personal data collected by companies, see how it is held, and have that information deleted upon request. Sununu said in a statement that “this law provides transparency about what information is collected, why, and confidence that in the age of AI, steps are taken to protect that data.”

Moms and infants

Dartmouth Health and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are taking a significant step toward addressing maternal mortality and morbidity with the launch of the New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NHPQC), according to a press release. The NHPQC aims to improve access to high-quality perinatal care and significantly reduce disparities for pregnant individuals and infants in the state, according to the same release.

Patricia Tilley, the DHHS associate commissioner, said in a statement that “every New Hampshire resident should have access to the best prenatal care, postpartum care and birthing services they need to stay healthy. The Collaborative’s work will help make that a reality.” Sally A. Kraft, MD, MPH, Population Health Officer at Dartmouth Health, said in a statement, “The NHPQC will support New Hampshire hospitals and our communities in an effort to improve conditions inside and outside of hospitals and clinics, so everyone has a fair chance to be as healthy as possible.”

The NHPQC’s first meeting was held March 4. This collaborative effort has been made possible through funding from DHHS and the support of an anonymous organization, which has donated funds to support until June 30.

The Library Arts Center in Newport (libraryartscenter.org) is holding its 2024 Peeps Diorama Contest, featuring shoebox-sized dioramas with the marshmallow chicks (and bunnies and more), according to the website. The entry deadline is Thursday, March 21 (with drop offs starting March 15). The Peep dioramas will be on display March 23 through April 4. See the website for hours, entry rules and more.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) (84 Silk Farm in Concord) has opened applications for its 2024 farm share program, according to a press release. This program provides funds for community members in New Hampshire with limited incomes to purchase certified organic CSA shares at discounted prices where NOFA-NH contributes 50 percent of funds toward each farm share and recipients contribute 25 percent while farm partners donate 25 percent, according to the release Eligible New Hampshire community members can apply for the program through Sunday, March 17 at nofanh.org/farm-share-program.

The Old House & Barn Expo runs Saturday, March 16, and Sunday March 17, at Saint Anselm College in Manchester featuring lectures, exhibitors, demonstrations, a scavenger hunt for kids and more, according to nhpreservation.org, where you can purchase tickets for $12, $7 for seniors and students (tickets cost $15 and $10 at the door); kids 12 and under get in for free.

The Library Arts Center in Newport (libraryartscenter.org) is holding its 2024 Peeps Diorama Contest, featuring shoebox-sized dioramas with the marshmallow chicks (and bunnies and more), according to the website. The entry deadline is Thursday, March 21 (with drop offs starting March 15). The Peep dioramas will be on display March 23 through April 4. See the website for hours, entry rules and more.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) (84 Silk Farm in Concord) has opened applications for its 2024 farm share program, according to a press release. This program provides funds for community members in New Hampshire with limited incomes to purchase certified organic CSA shares at discounted prices where NOFA-NH contributes 50 percent of funds toward each farm share and recipients contribute 25 percent while farm partners donate 25 percent, according to the release Eligible New Hampshire community members can apply for the program through Sunday, March 17 at nofanh.org/farm-share-program.

The Old House & Barn Expo runs Saturday, March 16, and Sunday March 17, at Saint Anselm College in Manchester featuring lectures, exhibitors, demonstrations, a scavenger hunt for kids and more, according to nhpreservation.org, where you can purchase tickets for $12, $7 for seniors and students (tickets cost $15 and $10 at the door); kids 12 and under get in for free.