Vols sought to aid restoration of cottontail habitat

Cottontails need adequate cover to protect themselves from prey.

DURHAM, N.H. - The N.H. Fish and Game Department and UNH Cooperative Extension are seeking volunteers to help restore the habitat of the endangered New England cottontail rabbit. At Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover, volunteers will plant native shrubs that rabbits use for shelter. Volunteer on any or all of the following days and times:

• Saturday, April 29, 2017: 9 a.m. to Noon or 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, May 6, 2017: 9 a.m. to Noon or 1-4 p.m.

For more information and to sign up, visit:

newengland.stewardshipnetwork.org/events-training?jobId=a02G000000aqibkIAA

If you have questions, contact Haley Andreozzi at haley.andreozzi@unh.edu or (603) 862-5327.

"This is a great opportunity to get outdoors and spend a few hours working to help conserve an endangered wildlife species," says Haley Andreozzi, UNH Cooperative Extension Wildlife Outreach Coordinator.

New England cottontails are a state-endangered species and rely on dense shrubland DURHAM habitat ("thickets") to survive, so habitat management is a large part of the work dedicated to conserving the species. The Bellamy area is the site of the largest New England cottontail restoration project on state lands in New Hampshire. In looking to plant more than 10,000 native shrubs this year, it's a task that can only be accomplished with the help of volunteers.

To learn about other projects taking place in New Hampshire to help recover the New England cottontail, visit: newenglandcottontail.org/projects/new-hampshire