GREENLAND, N.H. -- The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) is creating a backyard wildlife garden 
demonstration area on a conservation property on the shores of Great Bay. Located in Stratham next to Chapman's Landing on the Squamscott River, the wildlife garden will be established and maintained by community volunteers. It will be a place where people can come learn how to enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance backyard, while providing shelter, food and water for wildlife. You'll pick up other green tips here, too, such as using a rain barrel and creating "no mow lawns." The property already hosts a wildlife viewing platform that overlooks the salt marsh and an osprey nest.
A volunteer group work day has been set for Saturday, April 21, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a chance for interested community members to get involved with the project. Volunteers are needed to help pull out invasive plants, build garden beds and construct paths. These "Work Day Wonder" volunteers will celebrate Earth Day by "wrenching" out invasive plants at the community garden site. Learn how to use specialized tools called "Weed Wrenches" to remove some of the invasive woody shrubs and clear the way for spring plantings.
The Reserve is particularly looking for some dedicated volunteers to help with this project by participating in planting, care, and demonstrations. As a"Wild Side Gardener" you can adopt a plot, such as a butterfly or "xeroscape" garden (composed of a selection of plants that need little to no extra watering), and show off your green thumbs by helping it thrive, just as if it were your own backyard. This committed group will establish their roots this spring and help choose the design of the garden.
If you're interested in volunteering as a "Work Day Wonder" and/or "Wild Side Gardener," please contact Shannon O'Brien at Shannon.obrien@wildlife.nh.gov or call (603) 778-0015. For questions regarding this project, please contact Rachel Stevens at rachel.stevens@wildlife.nh.gov or call (603) 778-0015.
Partner groups such as the University of New Hampshire's Cooperative Extension and Thompson School, along with Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC, have been integrally involved in the planning and preparation for the wildlife garden project. Funding is being acquired from various organizations, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Learn more about the project atwww.greatbay.org/programs/community-wildlife-garden.htm
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