'ello, Govnah!

Motion to have fun - accepted!

Today’s events had a very distinct feel compared to other parts of the trip. We visited UNH, a great place some of us are thinking of applying to, and we also met the Board of Trustees for the NH Nature Conservancy! What other teens have that opportunity? We felt so insanely out of place but in the best possible way. It was really cool to see these adults approving minutes from prior meetings. We were also so honored to meet the people who held the seats we could one day hold. These people have all different careers but they meet up because they are influential, smart, and care for the environment. As I looked at my group of LEAF interns, I could only hope the same for the four of us.

However, this all happened in the span of the morning. By the afternoon we were off to another place: the State Capitol Building where we met members of the Executive Council. Can you imagine?

Mmmm... Three Chimneys Inn!

PS: The Three Chimney’s ffrost Sawyer Tavern we ate at today is adorable. Everyone should eat there J

 

-Daniela Escobar July 27, 2012

spatastic

Measuring oyster spat with Kara!

Yesterday we went to the Great Bay, a beautiful estuary here in New Hampshire, and played with oysters (no we didn’t eat them)! We met with Kara and Ray who work to restore the oyster population in the Great Bay. The oysters, which serve as a major filter system for the bay, have been depleted to a staggering 5-10%. It was wonderful to see people with such a vibrant passion for what they do, and that energy made me curious as to why these oysters were so important (which they obviously are!!!) TNC raises baby oysters and collects shells and, instead of dumping them randomly into the bay, are placing the shells strategically. They place them where the oysters used to thrive, and then later track how well the baby oysters are doing, which is what we helped do. We were given little cages that held more than 200 oysters. We cleaned them (since they were covered in mud, arthropods, and sea squirts), counted them, and then, for thirty spat (baby oysters), measured its size from the hinge to the other end. It was quite fascinating, especially since most of the spat were doing well. In the end, I, as well as the other LEAF interns, enjoyed working with the oysters immensely. Not only did we share some really good laughs, I left the Great Bay informed and more educated about this ecosystem that is held together with vital species, and must be taken care of, before it reaches it’s tipping point, and I strongly believe and support that.

-Sharon Peter July 27, 2012

rainbows and light hearts

Searching the skies for osprey.

The past few days have been long ones. But, all the same, they were great! As Megan mentioned, we had a lot of fun at the Great Bay Discovery Center on Tuesday. We were able to walk down a boardwalk with our guide, Kelly, who taught us about ospreys (my favorite bird), the kinds of animals that inhabit the salt marsh and why salt marshes are so important. After our interactive morning experience, we were released onto the mudflats during low tide, each of us were assigned different organisms to find. I was in charge of searching for sea lettuce (a very common and easy to find plant), Daniela was searching for striped mussels buried in the mud, Sharon scouted around for mud crabs and Jessica hunted for amphipods (I hope I spelled that right). Least to say, we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Later we sat down and worked with Megan on a way to inform visitors of the Great Bay office that wandered into the beautiful garden about invasive plants. It was a great success, if I do say so myself.

Over that past day and a half (all of yesterday and this morning) I’ve come to realize something: there is nothing that is both as satisfying and frustrating as pulling invasive plants. The great thing about it is that there are those large sections of land where one or two types of invasive plants have taken over and you can take out huge sections of it in one go. My personal favorite is the loud crack that occurs as you rip the roots of those pesky things out of the soil. And yet, there are those times, like earlier today where the expanse seemed too great; that there were too many for you to handle and get rid of. It can make you feel almost powerless to stop the spread. Then after doing your best to clear out a good part of it you step back and you can really take a look at your handy work. It’s honestly an amazing feeling to know that you have helped make a difference to preserving and protecting nature.

On a lighter note, this afternoon we got to work with oysters!!! We helped count the number of spat (baby oysters) that were found on oyster shells previously set out into the bay. We did this in order to help a project that could restore the oyster population in the Great Bay, allowing for healthier waters, more fish and a healthier ecosystem over all. We also helped the oysters along a bit by clearing the shells they now call home of sea squirts (strange squishy creatures that do squirt water when you poke them) and other creatures that could inhibit their growth.

It’s hard to see another week pass by so quickly but I can’t help but be excited about seeing what the next day has in store. I know that everyday we will work our hardest and keep our hearts light, knowing that we are doing our own part to help protect the world around us.

~Samantha Hoffman 07/26/12

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Wagon Hill at Sunset.  Photo by Paul Norris - www.picturesocial.com

Sharon and I were pulling an Autumn Olive (an invasive species) today using every fiber in our body because the plant was so deeply rooted into the soil. We were successful in pulling it out, which is great, but we actually fell backwards into a batch of Poison Ivy.  Sharon and I died of laughter though, and we washed off with this oil absorbing soap so our day was able to continue and very positively at that. We stopped after work at this small farm where we fed donkeys and picked blueberries. When we were paying for our fresh goods the farmer at the counter told us we should take an extra box of berries for free which pretty much brought a tear to my eye. Then as if the day wasn’t going well already we saw a rainbow as we talked about life walking along Wagon Hill that actually has a wagon atop the hill. The day went by too quickly – even the work part.
 
~Daniela Escobar 7/26/12

mud!

Low tide at Great Bay means a lot of things, but one in particular is hard to miss: MUD.  This week the LEAF interns had a chance to explore the estuary's mudflats during a trip to the Great Bay Discovery Center.  While we're sure they'll tell you all about it in their next post, we thought you'd enjoy some photos of their adventure while you wait...

The interns start to learn what happens as the tide quickly rolls out...

Don't get stuck, Sharon!

Successfully upright.

Samantha and Jessica find evidence of a local creature.

Mudflats are such an interesting place to explore.

 

 

 

 

time flies when you're having fun

Hanging out by Great Bay.

It’s really startling to think about how we’re already halfway through our stay in New Hampshire. We’ve been through so much already but I don’t think any one of us feel like we’ve been here for a long time. Time flies when you’re having fun, right?

Along with all the fun we’ve been having outside of work, our work itself has been both educational and enjoyable. Today, it was our first workday in the Great Bay office and, despite me forgetting the group camera at the quaint inn we’re staying in this week, it was great! Andrew, our cool site supervisor, was so informative on the plants in the area around the Great Bay office. This morning he introduced us to several invasive species we’ll be pulling while here, including the multiflora rose (I had no idea that it was invasive……… and after seeing it up close and personal I took particular note of the sharp fishhook-like thorns). He also informed us about several native species such as shag bark hickory, which is called shag bark because of its shaggy bark. After lunch, we cleared a path of weeds that was near by. And, though it was hot and the work was a bit monotonous, we all powered through it. The end product was awesome! The path looked good as new!

While we’ll miss Conway, and all the people in Northern New Hampshire, I know we’ll enjoy it here in Durham. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we can’t wait for all the things this part of New Hampshire has in store.

~Samantha Hoffman 07/23/2012

two words

Who's that lucky guy in the middle?

Two words. COLLEGE VISIT! Today, we went to Plymouth State University (which was a great university by the way). There, we met Cheyenne, our student tour guide, Bill, one of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees members, Daryl, the Director of TNC New Hampshire, and Sara Jayne Steen, the president of the university. They were all so nice and gave us an exceptional tour of the campus.  The PSU was rich in history and has such a nice campus, and I’m so grateful to have been able to take part in that. So thanks for the tour guys! After the tour, we had a farewell dinner with the people we worked with for the past few weeks. I could feel myself getting teary-eyed at the thought of saying goodbye. There were so many amazing memories and moments, which I will never forget. I was taught so much and I know I’ll apply it to my life to the best of my ability. I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity to know Wink and Lisa. Tomorrow we leave for Durham, and I’m not in sure what the South has in store for us, but I’m sure it’ll be just as great!

Sharon Peter, July 21, 2012

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Glorious!

I like that we ended our stay in North Conway the same way we started: on a mountain surrounded by great people. I can’t emphasize how amazing people have been these past weeks. Now sitting at a bonfire with the most epic s’mores and stars as far as one can see, I have to reflect on my experience. I will without a doubt always remember among other things the stay at the cabin playing Spoons (a card game) and driving in search for moose in the afternoon. I laughed so much that day and it was nice that we could stop, stare at the scenery, and learn of different plants along the way. (From the best teachers of course, Lisa and Wink.) The trip so far has been, in my opinion, quite well-rounded. I’m visiting colleges, thinking of the future, enjoying nature as well as helping it, and all while making new friends.

Daniela Escobar July 21, 2012

simply amazing

Pittsburgh, NH. Simply amazing. This small town, that may be unimportant to others, holds so many memorable moments. It’s an absolutely beautiful town and I adore the people. Kinda jealous of them too. Their view of the mountains and Connecticut lakes are great!

I slept in a tent! It was a huge one that I shared with Daniela and Jessica. Lisa’s person tent was right next to ours. Daniel, Jessica, and I told scary stories, which ended up with Daniela becoming scared and paranoid.  Ha ha ha!

We met a great scientist named Doug, who showed us the Flood Plain Forests at the Potter Farm where they were trying to restore Silver Maples and American Elms. We took the height and girth of the tree, and mentally took note of how the saplings were doing. Doug says they’re doing great! He said that everything he expected to happen was happening, and that he’s pleased with the results. And then today, we went to the Vickie Bunnell Preserve to pull Purple Loosestrife. Those were a headache, because their roots were so tangled up in the dry, compacted dirt, but it was great getting rid of those dang invasive species!

 
Sharon Peter, July 20, 2012