GILFORD ― Wetlands Walk at Gunstock volunteers will be planning for installing pond levelers and starting to prepare materials. The two larger beaver dams cause problems. One leveler will stop the beavers from raising the water level so it soaks the boardwalk understructure. The other will help reduce mud on the north part of the Red Pine Loop.
Volunteers are welcome for all or part of the time. We will continue removing invasive weeds, cleaning the boardwalk surface and the Buy a Board name plates, minor carpentry for leveling and new posts, sanding and priming/painting the bumper for the visually impaired.
The Wetlands Walk needs to borrow bolt cutters, waders, and the hands of people who can help fashion fencing into a 7’ diameter cage and prepare pipes. To view information about this, see Best Management Practices for Pond Levelers and Culvert Protection Systems – Project Beaver. In addition to the boardwalk Pond Leveler (approximate cost of $1,700), a storage container ($5,200) will be added this month.
Snacks, water and beverages are provided. Email for gate access information. Helpers under 18 must bring a parent or guardian adult with them, Community Service Certificates are available, and groups are welcome. If there is “real” rain, the outdoor work is cancelled but we may be able to work on the cages. Rain showers are OK.
Eighty percent of the funding for materials will be provided by a new New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Recreational Trails Program grant. Volunteer time, donations and contributed materials will help with matching 20% of the grant. Work hopes to begin during the next Maintenance Mornings on Thursday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. It is likely that some extra days will be added to help with this project.
For more information about this or volunteering, contact the Belknap County Conservation District volunteer, Jan, at 603-707-9760, or email bccdvolunteer@gmail.com.
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