Great Bay watershed, estuary in dire straits, expert says

Melissa Paly, Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper for the Conservation Law Foundation, speaks to the foundering of water quality in Great Bay and the threat it poses to its ecosystem. (Emily Lord photo)

WOLFEBORO - Moose Mountains Regional Greenways held its 2018 Annual Meeting at The Inn on Main in Wolfeboro, with 90 members and guests in attendance. The evening started with a social hour and silent auction accompanied by live music, followed by dinner, award presentations, MMRG conservation news, and a special presentation by Melissa Paly, Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper for the Conservation Law Foundation.

Retiring Board Chair Jack Savage spoke of how MMRG's conservation mission can bring together diverse groups of people and help heal a fractured society. He added, "We know conservation has the power to save our woods and wildlife; it may even be able to save us from ourselves." Incoming Board Chair Nicole Csiszer was unable to be present but sent her appreciation of Savage's 'dedicated service' and 'ambitious thinking while honing our vision', exemplified in his instigation of MMRG's conservation planning process that 'put us at the forefront of conservation planning in our region.'

Among MMRG's accomplishments of 2017 highlighted by Executive Director Patti Connaughton-Burns was the completion of the new Conservation Action Plan. The Plan and maps are now available on MMRG's website, www.mmrg.info. Connaughton-Burns also pointed to the past year's land conservation projects, Split Rock Conservation Area, WidowMaker Farm, and Leary Field & Forest, which were respectively 'completed', 'fully funded', and 'well on its way with three generous grants' in 2017.

MMRG's Volunteer-of-the-Year award was given to Stewardship and Lands Committee member Charlie Bridges, whose expertise and experience from his work as Director of the Endangered Species Program at NH Fish & Game have been invaluable to MMRG. Connaughton-Burns remarked on how frequently Bridges had assisted her with landowner visits, site walks, guided nature walks, and stewardship monitoring walks, not to mention grant writing and developing easement language. Accepting the award, Bridges lauded the active dedicated staff and core of volunteers, saying, "It's your efforts that inspire me!"

Rodney and Judy Thompson of Farmington were recognized as MMRG's Conservationists-of the Year. Connaughton-Burns commented that in addition to being MMRG's first easement donors in 2014, the Thompson's conservation project 'seems to have ignited an energy for conservation in their neighborhood, inspiring a little triangle of neighbors to conserve their land as well'. She also cited Rod Thompson's skill and contribution as creator of trail maps for neighboring WidowMaker Farm and Leary Field & Forest. Thompson thanked MMRG 'for being there at the precise time we needed them', recalling that MMRG had just expanded its mission to become a land trust and accept easements.

Guests were enthusiastic about the educational talk given by featured speaker Paly, who described herself as 'The Lorax' of the Great Bay Estuary. Her message was a mix of discouraging news and optimism for the future. Grasses are the foundations of healthy estuaries, providing habitat for small fish, shellfish, and birds, but Great Bay's eel grass ecosystem is not healthy; it is drastically diminished in extent and the remaining grass plants are weakened by virus due to water turbidity and nitrogen overload favoring competing invasive plants. A downward spiral has led to diminished photosynthesis, which further weakens the ability of the grass to take root and hold the sediment in place. Paly's optimism stems from recent steps to reduce nitrogen waste entering the Bay and the work of conservation partners, including MMRG, to protect water quality through land conservation in the headwaters watershed.

During the short business meeting, MMRG members re-elected Board members Wendy Scribner and Ron Gehl, both of whom were praised by Jack Savage for their valuable volunteer contributions. Previously-appointed Board member Ian Whitmore and incoming Board member Jonathan Nute were newly elected to serve three year terms. Savage cited Whitmore, a retired energy company executive, for his helpful experience in complex problem solving and Nute, a retired county forester, for his wealth of forestry knowledge.