The Status of Bald Eagles in the Lakes Region

The Status of Bald Eagles in the Lakes Region

By Mark Okrant

Few elements of our nation’s wildlife population have attracted the public’s attention to the same degree as the majestic bald eagle. From the very beginning of this country’s history, the great bird’s status has been a matter of controversy. At that time, many felt the bald eagle was the obvious pick to be the United States’ national bird. After all, it was beautiful, had a large wingspan, and soared to great heights. Furthermore, its range was exclusive to the North American continent. However, not everyone was ready to anoint Haliaeetus leucocephalus as our national bird. Even Benjamin Franklin waded in on the debate. Franklin and others made reference to the eagle’s scavenging and kleptoparasitism (tendency to steal food from other birds) as reasons to rebuff its selection. Finally, in 1782, the bald eagle was chosen ahead of the wild turkey and other candidates.

Eagle’s nest; photo by Peter Gray, courtesy NH Audubon.

Both male and female bald eagles possess unmistakable features. Each has a body consisting of elegant brown feathers, white tail feathers, a bright white face and neck, a yellow beak and talons, and piercing yellow eyes. Eagles in the wild have an average lifespan of 20 years, but can live decades longer. Adult males will grow to be three-feet long and weigh approximately 10 pounds. Their wingspans are between six and seven and one-half feet. Of interest, female bald eagles are one-third larger than males. 

Pairs bond for life. The same pair meets during breeding season, and builds or reuses a nest. Bald eagle nests are huge; they may be nine and one-half feet in diameter, 20 feet deep, and weigh as much as one ton. Sitting in their nest, very high above the surface below, a pair raises from one to three young per breeding season, while sharing all aspects of parental duties. When they are not breeding, adult eagles tend to live solitary, independent lives. 

Some people may be unaware how close the country came to losing bald eagles forever. Sixty years ago, chemistry, technology, and nature had conspired to dramatically reduce the population of bald eagles. Beginning in the 1940s, production of a synthetic insecticide called Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (or DDT) had a disastrous effect on the raptors’ eggs, therefore drastically reducing the population of healthy offspring. Meanwhile, technological innovations such as the deadly combination of roads and speeding automobiles were causing the premature death of scavenging eagles. In addition, a number of bald eagles were lost to the ravages of nature, in the form of attacks by older/bigger chicks on their younger siblings, nest collapses, violent weather bursts, and predation by mammals and other birds. Consequently, the population of bald eagles during the middle of the 20th century was reduced to approximately 400 nesting pairs nationwide.

Here in New Hampshire, the go-to authority on bald eagles is Chris Martin, senior wildlife biologist at the Audubon Society on 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord. Working frequently with Dave Anderson, senior director of education for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, as well as officials at New Hampshire Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others, Martin has responsibility for bald eagle monitoring and management programs within the state. Clearly, efforts by Martin, Anderson, and numerous others to protect eagle populations have been successful. This is evidenced by the fact that bald eagles were removed from the state’s Endangered Species list in 2008, and from the less severe Threatened list in 2017. 

By 1980, bald eagles had nearly disappeared from New Hampshire. During his tenure at the Audubon Society, Martin’s monitoring duties have included documenting bald eagle populations and their success at breeding. He reports that there were 76 territorial pairs of bald eagles in New Hampshire in 2020. By counting numbers of incubated eggs, hatched young, and fledglings, Martin determined that, coincidentally, 76 young living bald eagles were produced in 2020. Credit for achieving this level of success is the responsibility of the raptors themselves; however, the eagles received a significant assist from Martin and others who work at mitigating successful reproduction. These people are ever vigilant during reproduction season, monitoring nesting sites with the intention of preventing nesting failure. This is accomplished by some tried-and-true techniques such as ‘sheet metal wrap’, wherein wide metallic bands are wrapped around trees that house nests. This procedure provides protection against potential predators that attempt to climb up to nests. 

Today, there are an estimated 10,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the U.S., with habitats in 49 of the 50 states, Hawaii being the exception. Martin points to the situation in New Hampshire with considerable pride. Twelve years ago, there were 20 pairs of nesting bald eagles in the state; six years ago, that figure reached 40 pairs. The number of bald eagles is approximately 80 at present. This represents a doubling of the bald eagle population in New Hampshire every six years. While this year’s eagle census has not been completed, Martin estimates that the population will have increased by at least five percent since one year ago. According to Martin, “We are getting close to the state’s carrying capacity for sustaining eagles.”

Like elsewhere in New England, bald eagles generally remain here in the Lakes Region throughout the year, including the winter season. Juvenile eagles will leave the nest during the late summer or fall, but won’t travel more than 100 miles afield. For anyone hoping for a bald eagle sighting, there are presently more than 12 nesting pairs living within the Lakes Region. The Department of Fish and Game will be traveling around New Hampshire counting chicks as well as fledgling eagles, the name given to young birds that are just beginning to fly. 

If you are one of those people who have not seen a live bald eagle, a visit to New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center is highly recommended. At the center, a number of injured, non-releasable raptors are available for the visiting public to view. This includes one 25 to 30 year old bald eagle. The raptors can be visited on Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11 am to 4 pm. 

For more information about the center’s schedule, visit www.nhaudubon.org. 

Chocorua Lake Conservancy’s Adept Balancing Act

Chocorua Lake Conservancy’s Adept Balancing Act

By Mark Okrant

Throughout the history of this nation, forward-thinking individuals and organizations have exhibited a strong concern with maintaining environmental quality. In 1964, passage of the Wilderness Act launched a period of federal conservation legislation. This was followed in 1965 by enactment of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, and approval of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Trails Act in 1968.

Closer to home, during 1968, a volunteer-led, nonprofit land trust organization, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC), was formed in New Hampshire. At that time, the CLC made Chocorua the only major New Hampshire lake with protection measures for its entire shoreline. That program predated similar efforts within the state as a whole. 

Beautiful Chocorua Lake and Mount Chocorua view from Narrows Bridge.

What is the Chocorua Lake Conservancy, and how does it function? The mission of the organization is, “to protect the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin and its surrounding area through a series of measures. These include conservation practices, land protection, easements, maintenance of land for public access, and the development of a community of support.” 

At first glance, one might think conservation is as simple as posting a number of signs around Chocorua Lake. In reality, conservancy is considerably more complicated. The reader is advised to look closely at two elements of the organization’s mission statement: protection of scenic and natural resources versus public access. As conservators of natural spaces have learned, many visitors can be cavalier in their treatment of the locations they visit. Public land managers must contend with people hiking off-trail, driving or parking off-road, trampling vegetation, not packing out trash, abandoning campfires, and overcrowding areas that have limited carrying capacities. 

In its effort to be protectors of local lands, lake, forests, and historically important buildings, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy is armed with an effective toolkit. This toolkit contains conservation covenants, conservation easements, education and outreach programs (i.e., events), and a phalanx of dedicated volunteers, members, and donors.  

A conservation covenant is a voluntary agreement between landholders and an authorized body, such as the CLC. Its purpose is to protect the natural, cultural, or scientific value of the effected properties. Examples of restrictions within covenants are: minimum lot sizes, building height and setback restrictions, as well as prohibitions of billboards, commercial extraction of sand and gravel, altering natural drainage, and clear cutting within 150 feet of the lake. To date, the CLC has protected three thousand acres of land through 74 conservation covenants. 

Conservation easements are legal agreements that restrict development or specific other uses on private property. The landowner retains ownership, but gives up the right to conduct certain other actions, including creating subdivisions. These rights are donated to the land trust. Easements are granted in perpetuity, meaning all future owners must honor the uses presented within the document. In some towns, owners who grant easements may benefit by being taxed based upon the restricted land use of the property, as opposed to fair market value which can be considerably higher. Easements are responsible for protecting hundreds of additional acres on more than 100 properties within the Chocorua region. 

According to Lynne Flaccus, Stewardship Director of the CLC, the organization receives a great deal of support from the surrounding community to achieve its mission. Hundreds of volunteers, members, and donors make this possible. As part of its membership drive, the organization reaches out to surrounding communities’ schools and libraries. While emphasizing the positive impact that is derived from conservation efforts, Flaccus stresses that the CLC does much more than protect property. Because these protected lands are available for public access, residents and visitors are reminded about their responsibility to care for the natural world contained within these spaces. 

In this regard, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy has much in common with land trusts throughout the country. In each instance, it is essential that visitors join local residents to “do their part to make the experience better for everyone involved.” For example, according to the www.alaskacenters.gov website, visitors must do more than watch wildlife. They also need to respect the land they walk upon—leaving no trace and treading lightly. 

During the pandemic, the Chocorua area experienced a considerable influx of visitors, as people were desperate to get outside, away from quarantining at home. With Route 16 passing alongside Chocorua Lake, many more people than is typically the case tried to access the beautiful view of Mount Chocorua. This meant that the small parking lot was stretched beyond capacity, as were the picnic area and boat access points. In an effort to minimize what could have proven hazardous, the CLC increased the amount of signage and supervision to ward off traffic accidents, litter, and damage from compacted natural surfaces.  

Planned events have a substantial role in building a sense of community while spreading the CLC’s message. There are two categories of events—public and social. Flaccus’ favorite events are organized walks. As a trained naturalist, she enjoys taking groups of 15 to 20 people on exploratory hikes. Always, as they walk, she encourages people to investigate their surroundings. In this way, an appreciation for conserving nature is fostered. Social events consist of picnics, wherein volunteers, members, and landowners have an opportunity to share viewpoints. (Events that were not cancelled during the pandemic were conducted as Zoom sessions, rather than in person.)

During the summer of 2021, Flaccus estimates there will be nearly 50 events. While a substantial portion of the in-person events had been cancelled during the pandemic, she hopes to conduct a majority without having to rely on Zoom. This will allow the Conservancy to focus on its stewardship activities, wherein members and volunteers will engage in planting, weeding, and how to address invasive species. 

As is true of other land trusts throughout the region, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy will maintain a balance between its primary mission as protector of natural spaces, while encouraging people—residents and visitors alike—to partake in the beauty of the environment. The vital message that our environment can be used without misuse is being delivered most effectively.

For more information about the stewardship efforts of the Chocorua Lake Conservancy, and to donate or learn how to become a CLC volunteer, email Lynne Flaccus, Conservation Stewardship Director, at lflaccus@chocorualakeconservancy.org.

The Belknap Foodshed: Making a Difference That Matters

The Belknap Foodshed: Making a Difference That Matters

By Mark Okrant

These are difficult times. Everyday, we learn about peoples’ struggles to earn a living and to put nutritious food on the table. We cannot help but wonder, in one of the Earth’s most advanced nations, how to ameliorate the process of making quality food available to our residents. Every now and then, an idea comes along that provides a pathway toward solving that seemingly complex problem. 

Mary and Gavin Macdonald, operators of The Belknap Foodshed

Charged with addressing the availability of quality food in central New Hampshire are Mary and Gavin Macdonald, operators of The Belknap Foodshed. The pair established Genuine Local, a shared-use kitchen and food accelerator to fill the gap created by a lack of access to commercial production facilities by providing business development and production assistance, as well as co-packing services. In simple terms, Genuine Local was designed as a business incubator for producing consumable goods with a ready market to increase growers’ value-added. 

Unfortunately, on the way to the successful implementation of their idea, the operators ran head-long into the COVID-19 pandemic. Once COVID hit, many of the small food businesses and farms they worked with ran into challenges with market access. However, it soon became apparent that the demand for fresh, quality produce was alive and well. This led to the launch of a sister company, The Belknap Foodshed, an online farmers market that connects local food with surrounding communities. In the process, the Foodshed brings fresh, safe/healthy, locally grown and produced food to the people of New Hampshire.

The Belknap Foodshed dates back to 2018, when the Macdonalds were approached about developing a plan for utilizing the former Laconia State School property on Route 106 in Laconia, New Hampshire. While plans to develop an extensive food production and distribution scheme at the school were not completed due to COVID, that situation led to the early launch of the aggregation and distribution components of their plan. 

From its central collection point on 5 Winona Road in Meredith, the Foodshed takes deliveries from an average of 24 producers each week to fill customers’ retail and wholesale orders. The network produces approximately four hundred items in total, with an average of two hundred and fifty items available each week. Each producer registers with the Foodshed and indicates what they wish to sell through the organization. The product range includes: granola, assorted vegetables and fruit, various types of honey and maple products, as well as dairy, meat products, and eggs, condiments and seasonings, breads, fresh fish, and numerous others. 

At present, the Foodshed has 227 registered customers. However, this figure is misleading, as a number of these are wholesalers whose impact on the food community is considerable. Customers register to shop by creating an account, thereby joining the Foodshed’s email list. Orders can be placed anytime between Saturdays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 12 noon. To receive orders, customers utilize one of five pickup spots within the region.

Friday pickups:

• curbside at 5 Winona Road in Meredith

• in the Pleasant Street municipal parking lot in Laconia

• curbside at the Gilford Community Church

• curbside at the Tilton Senior Citizen Center on Grange Road

Saturday pickups:

• at Purely Wholesome Farm on Upper Ridge Road in Loudon

Otherwise, door-to-door deliveries are available in Meredith and Laconia, for a modest charge. Additionally, by participating as a producer with the Three Rivers Farmers Alliance, Belknap Foodshed products are available in the southeastern corner of the state. Finally, a special relationship exists with local restaurants, stores, and institutions who register as customers. For these people, the Foodshed provides access to products at wholesale prices.

So, what does a business entity—one that has been established to link agricultural and other primary producers with consumers—do for an encore? The next phase is utterly exciting. The Macdonalds foresee The Belknap Foodshed continuing to grow in numerous ways. Access to local food will expand as production extends beyond the Lakes Region. By working with the New Hampshire Food Alliance and other food hubs, the relationship between producers and customers will operate as an ecosystem for creating food supplies. Their ambitious effort will fortify food systems by strengthening linkages among farming, product sales, shelf-stable food preparation, distribution, on-site restaurants, retail, and education. The impact will be felt statewide, as the Foodshed will make linkages among food hubs and distribution efforts within the Seacoast, Monadnock, and North Country regions.

Elements of this food ecosystem include: 1. cultivating food and preserving open agricultural land; 2. aggregating, distributing, and creating access to retail markets; 3. incubating local food companies; 4. fostering business development and job creation; 5. creating educational and training opportunities; and 6. establishing “locavore” retail and restaurant facilities. 

Through these interrelated elements, local land will be farmed with the goal of targeting crops to create a sustainable supply of ingredients for people and institutions within the region. Next, utilizing the Foodshed’s central geographic location, existing connections will be expanded and created to distribute local food products statewide. Further, farmers and food companies will have the opportunity to, “access the retail market directly at The Belknap Foodshed, and to have their foods featured in on-site restaurants.” 

Another element in the Foodshed’s system is providing the necessary equipment and training to expand the number and capacity of food producers to navigate the food production system. This will increase the diversity of local food offerings. By swelling the ranks of resident farmers, the Foodshed will enhance the local food system through business development opportunities, small plot intensive farming, on-site retail and restaurant entities, and other methods that generate value-added opportunities. Creating new educational and training opportunities will be an essential component of the entire process. 

According to the Macdonalds, the ultimate goal for systematic production and preparation is to deliver clean food into the community. Fresh produce, flowers, and herbs featuring locally made food and other items will be available at an on-site retail space and two restaurants that feature locally produced resources. In this manner, the future of a robust population of “locavores”—people whose diet consists principally of locally grown or produced food—will be assured.

For more information on this innovative, forward-looking program, contact Mary or Gavin Macdonald at 603-279-8600, or by email, connect@belknapfoodshed.com. Be certain to visit their website at www.belknapfoodshed.com.