What Does It Mean to Steward Land and Manage for Resiliency?

Imagine standing on the edge of New Hampshire’s salt marshes, where the salty ocean breeze mingles with the earthy scent of marshland. These marshes are vital for protecting coastal communities from climate change, acting as natural buffers and providing habitat for uncommon wildlife like the saltmarsh sparrow. However, rising sea levels are threatening these ecosystems, causing high marsh areas to convert to low marsh and creating "mega-pools" of open water. This loss impacts species diversity, shoreline erosion control and storm surge protection.

To address these challenges, advanced modeling techniques predict future salt marsh persistence and identify migration corridors for protection and restoration. TNC is collaborating with municipalities, state agencies and a wide array of partners to upgrade tidal road-stream crossings to improve tidal flow and marsh health. Key restoration sites like Philbrook Pond and Lubberland Creek Preserve are being developed, with research on saltmarsh sparrows led by the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of New Hampshire informing future plans. Through these efforts, the conservation community aims to build resilience in New Hampshire’s salt marshes for future generations.

Controlled burns are a proven method to restore some of our forests that depend on fire for maintenance and regeneration. Instead of preventing fires, we manage the natural process of fire to improve habitats for native plants and animals and reduce the risk of wildfires getting out of control.

Many plants and trees have adapted to fire and need it to grow or spread their seeds. Because natural wildfires have been suppressed for so long, rare plants and animals that rely on these fires could disappear. That's why we're bringing fire back to places like our Ossipee Pine Barrens Preserve, which includes a globally rare, fire-dependent habitat type.

Controlled burns are also critical in managing this place to be more resilient to invasive pests. The pitch pines here are a prime target for southern pine beetles, which have been making their way north and wreaking havoc on pine forests along the way. But thanks to efforts spearheaded by our stewardship staff, these invasive beetles are being kept in check—and the forest here is being kept safe. By using tree thinning together with controlled burns, we can create the conditions needed to encourage the next cohort of pitch pine and keep this forest safe and healthy.

Using fire in the right places and at the right times can reduce dry conditions, create healthy forests that attract diverse wildlife, support local communities and help keep people safe.

New Hampshire, the second most forested state in the U.S., is deeply connected to the lush forests and sparkling waterways of the Appalachians. Our diverse terrain, unique soil types and varied microclimates create a dynamic environment where animals and plants can adapt as the climate changes. These landscapes are not just beautiful; they provide clean drinking water for more than 34 million people and play a crucial role in storing carbon, helping to reduce the amount of planet-warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Keeping our forests intact, connected and healthy is vital for conserving a large, climate-resilient corridor along the Appalachians. This is more important than ever. Changes in land use and ownership are threatening to break up these forests, while poor management can weaken their ability to support diverse species, remain productive and function ecologically—both now and in the future as the climate continues to change.

To effectively conserve these precious Appalachian forests, we need strategies that protect and enhance their health and condition. By doing so, we can ensure that resilient ecosystems thrive on resilient sites, safeguarding our natural heritage for generations to come.

As a land trust accredited by the Land Trust Alliance Commission, we perform annual monitoring at our preserves and easements. Monitoring allows us to identify issues like encroachments and non-permitted uses of the land and take the appropriate actions to correct these issues.

We also conduct ecological monitoring at some of these places to better undertstand if there have been or is the potential for impacts from events like a significant natural disturbance, an invasive pest outbreak and more. This type of monitoring also allows us to track and identify the wildlife on our lands while simultaneously allowing us to look for threats to the resilience or conservation integrity of the land after a restoration project is complete. This regular monitoring is crucial for maintaining the health and biodiversity of our preserves. By systematically observing changes in the ecosystem, we can detect early signs of potential issues such as invasive species, habitat degradation or the impacts of climate change.

Our stewardship staff use a variety of tools and techniques, including wildlife surveys, vegetation assessments and boundary walks, to gather comprehensive data about the state of our preserves. This information helps us make informed decisions about management practices and restoration efforts, ensuring that our conservation goals are met and the natural beauty of the land is preserved for future generations.

Moreover, monitoring fosters a deeper connection with the land. It allows us to witness firsthand the positive effects of our conservation work and adapt our strategies as needed. Engaging with local communities and volunteers in these monitoring activities also promotes a sense of shared responsibility and stewardship, strengthening the collective commitment to protecting our natural heritage.