News from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services DES Encourages Homeowners to Conserve Water Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is reminding NH residents on the need to conserve water resources. Although New Hampshire is not formally under a drought declaration at this time, the lower than average precipitation in April and May coupled with the current heat spell is reason enough to consider our water use and identify opportunities for conservation and water use efficiency. Although water conservation is something that needs to be practiced year-round, it can be especially important as a proactive measure during dryer than normal conditions. “One of the easiest steps a homeowner can take is to reduce the amount of water used outdoors” said Derek Bennett, Manager of the Water Use and Conservation program. “Discretionary uses, like lawn irrigation can account for the majority of a homes total use during the summer months.” Lawn irrigation often leads to restrictions as water systems confront increasing water demand in the face of limited supply. “Adhering to water use restrictions is important” said Bennett. “Water systems implement restrictions to avoid larger problems down the road, and full cooperation by the water system connections is needed to be successful.” Even without restrictions in place, reducing the amount of water used on landscapes makes sense, both environmentally and financially. Reducing lawn size, ensuring adequate topsoil, and choosing drought tolerant grass mixes are good first steps. If irrigation is needed to supplement rainfall, the typical lawn requires less than an inch of water per week (irrigation and rainfall combined). DES has prepared a series of guidance documents that assist homeowners with reducing water use both inside and outside of the home. Please visit: http://m1e.net/c?82384231-x/oG7sFTAlAGk%405492898-EKfpihNIDuck6 for a complete list of water efficiency fact sheets. This message brought to you by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302.
A Bit About Opossums
Did you know that there are opossums in New Hampshire, and that they are expanding their range northward? Opossums are relatively new to New Hampshire, gradually moving into the state from Massachusetts in the late 1960s. Rockingham and Hillsboro Counties began to have increasing numbers by the mid-1970s and by the early 1990s, the opossum had moved north to the Lakes Region, sweeping past Lake Winnipesaukee on the east side by the mid-1990s. They seemed to have moved up the major river systems in their march northward. First, they followed the coastal rivers, then the Merrimack, and they have now populated the Connecticut River Valley all the way into Coos County! By 2001, a few had made it all the way to Stratford, Columbia and Stewartstown.Opossums are the state's only marsupial. That is, the females have a pouch on their belly, just like a kangaroo, where the honey-bee-sized babies crawl at birth to spend their first 3 months of life. There are so many unique things about opossums! They have a long prehensile tail, like a monkey, that aids them in climbing trees. Although they can snarl and open their mouths wide when threatened, they also will feign death and "play possum." Most live out their lives within just a few hundred yards of where they were born. In fact, over 90 percent of opossums die before they are two years old.In New Hampshire, opossums are at the very northernmost edge of their range. Their hairless ears and toes often are blackened or missing from being frozen. Opossums were once thought to not be able to survive such a cold climate, but they just keep plodding north on frostbitten feet. -- Eric Orff, furbearer biologist (Reproduced from the NH Fish & Game Website)
You can find this tag line on the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development’s web site at Welcome to New Hampshire. If you’re planning a visit to NH for a vacation or house-hunting, it’s the perfect place to start. You can make your reservations right on line. The site is designed around the current season and, there is an absolute wealth of information to be found. Some of the many subjects covered are Arts & Entertainment, Shopping and Antiquing, Family Attractions, What to do, Where to Eat…etc. For example, in the Arts & Entertainment section, you’ll find a brief description of NH’s music and arts scene, but there are also separate links to “Music”, “Galleries”, “Museums”, “Theatre”, “Film”, and “NH Made”. There’s even a NH Brewery Location Map! There are plenty of pictures and even some suggested itineraries suited for the season, and what could be more appropriate than “Yankee Dollar Stretchers”? You’ll find yourself going back many times. Come visit us in the New London-Lake Sunapee Area when you get here! The Best Team in Town | Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate