Rec Ready NH – Natural Resources Guide Tool

New Hampshire’s natural resources include its forests, wetlands, mountains, rivers, and other natural areas. These places are important for plants and animals and give people great places to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and paddling.

As more people enjoy the outdoors, it's important to ensure that new recreation projects are designed and built in ways that protect nature. This guide helps confirm that outdoor projects are planned responsibly and aids people in thinking about how their projects affect the environment and whether they align with community values, conservation goals, and sustainable recreation practices.

Forests

What are they?

Forests are ecosystems characterized by the presence of trees and woody vegetation. Forests also contain plants like flowers, shrubs, and vines and are home to animals like songbirds, hawks, deer, bear, frogs, turtles, moths, and more.

Why are they important?

Forests are places where a wide variety of plants and animals can meet their needs for food and shelter. In fact, many of New Hampshire’s native wild plants and animals need forests to survive—think deer, bear, moose, grouse, woodpeckers, owls, trillium, and sugar maple. Forests keep the environment cool and moist with their shade and natural mulch of fallen leaves. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to build their woody trunks. This helps to keep greenhouse gases in check and reduce extreme weather around the globe. Another reason forests are important is because they provide a place for recreation, hunting, and timber production. These all support our personal and economic well-being.

How are they identified?

Forests are easily identified by their mostly closed canopy of trees and understory of wild plants.

Forests are classified into different types of natural communities based on their unique plant species and physical characteristics. Example natural communities include high-elevation spruce – fir forests and sugar maple – beech – yellow birch forests.

Some forest natural communities are particularly uncommon or more sensitive to disturbance. For example, high-elevation spruce – fir forests, usually found above about 2500’ in elevation, are relatively rare in the New Hampshire landscape. These forests also host many sensitive uncommon, threatened, and endangered species such as Canada lynx, American marten, and Bicknell’s thrush.

See the chart below for more identifying descriptions of different habitat types.

General Management Considerations

Many animals need secluded areas to feel safe while eating, sleeping, or raising their young. Moose and bear are especially sensitive to disturbance, but even animals like deer need private areas to rest in during the day. Medium and large mammals, like bobcats and bears, become alert and may flee when people or dogs come within 400 feet. As such, trails and other recreation infrastructure can reduce the amount of available habitat for wildlife even if no trees are cut down.

New recreation infrastructure through existing trail-free forest areas should be avoided or minimized. When new infrastructure is created, it should be located along the edge of the forest or near already existing trails.

Infrastructure construction and ongoing maintenance should follow best management practices to minimize runoff and erosion.

Subcategories

Subcategory	Management Considerations
Forest Edge Forest edges next to fields or human development are often used by animals (robins, deer, turkey) that are comfortable with some human presence.	Often a good place for recreation infrastructure.
Trail-free Zones Forest areas that do not currently have any trails. These are places where wildlife can find refuge from people and dogs.	Avoid or minimize new recreation infrastructure.
Sensitive or Rare Natural Communities Forest types such as the Appalachian oak -pine forest and high-elevation spruce – fir forest.	Avoid or minimize new recreation infrastructure.
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Habitat Places where rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals live.	Avoid new recreation infrastructure.
Mast Stands Places in the forest with a lot of nut producing trees. Many wildlife species rely upon beech nuts and acorns as a critical food resource, especially at certain times of the year.	Avoid or minimize new recreation infrastructure and close trails in the fall.
Deer Winter Areas Areas of dense conifer cover that shelter deer during periods of heavy snow fall.	Avoid or minimize new recreation infrastructure and close trails in the winter through or near Deer Winter Areas.
Wildlife Trees Trees that are dead or dying, hollow, have holes, or have flaky bark. Woodpeckers, songbirds, flying squirrels, bats, and other wildlife depend on wildlife trees for shelter and food.	Leave trees untouched unless they pose a hazard.
Forest Complexity Forests of the northeast naturally have living trees of all ages, patches of young trees (called early successional forest), dead trees, and lots of downed trees on the ground in varying stages of decomposition. All these features contribute to a rich and diverse forest ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife, and nutrients for future forest development.	Messy forests are healthy, avoid the tendency to "clean up the woods." Leave a mixture of mature trees, young trees, shrubs, dead trees, and downed wood.

Regulatory Considerations

Ground disturbance on steep forested slopes may require a New Hampshire Alteration of Terrain permit. Endangered plants and animals are protected by federal and state law and may require further study and/or permitting.

Further Information and Guidance

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has resources and staff available to help trail projects balance recreation and wildlife. They can also help determine if a project has any regulatory requirements. The Natural Heritage Bureau can help with questions about sensitive plants and natural communities.

Alpine, Rock, and Cave Habitats

What are they?

Alpine habitats occur at high elevations where conditions are too extreme for trees to grow. At the highest elevations in New Hampshire, winds are strong, snow and ice are heavy, and the growing season is too short for trees to survive. Instead, smaller plants take root in pockets of thin soil and make the most out of the tough conditions.

Large areas of exposed rock below tree line generally fall into four habitat types: cliffs, ledges, rocky ridges, and talus. These habitats can be exposed and are difficult places for plants to grow. Soil and water wash away quickly, and any upslope sources are unable to keep up with what is lost. Cliffs are steep areas of exposed bedrock that are at least 10 feet tall, while ledges are lower. Rocky ridges are often flat enough to walk on but are found on top of steep slopes. Talus fields are jumbles of rock that are usually found at the base of cliffs.

Caves are another rocky habitat, but unlike the others in this section, they are found underground. Some of our caves are naturally forming, but many are relics of historic mining activities.

Why are they important?

Alpine habitats are home to species that are mostly found closer to the arctic. These plants, animals, and insects were common here when the glaciers first left, but the current isolated mountaintop populations are the last relics of that icier time. Because of this, many alpine species are rare, threatened, or endangered in New Hampshire.

Cliffs, ledges, rocky ridges, and talus are important because they provide a unique combination of sunlight and shelter. Peregrine falcons and ravens like to build their nests on cliffs where their chicks will be warm and safe from predators. Bobcats and porcupines will find a crack in the rocks to raise their young. Talus rock-piles are filled with pockets and crevices that provide dens for animals like snakes, racoons, and even bears. From these shelters, they can bask in the sun and then retreat into the rocks for protection from predators. There are also many specialized plant species that grow in rocky habitats, and some of them are rare.

Caves are important because most of our bat species need them to hibernate and survive the winter.

How are they identified?

All of these habitat types are characterized by large areas of exposed rock. Alpine areas are found on mountaintops. Cliffs are too steep to walk up. Rocky ridgelines are found above slopes. Talus fields are piles of rocks beneath cliffs. Caves are openings in bedrock or protected spaces between large boulders.

See the chart below for more identifying descriptions of each habitat type.

General Management Considerations

Alpine, rock, and cave habitats have thin soils, tough growing conditions, provide specialized functions, and host rare plants and animals. Because of these features they can be very sensitive to recreational activity. Many of these places already have recreation infrastructure passing through or near them, and new infrastructure should be avoided. Where trails already exist, they should be clearly marked so that the trampling of slow-growing vegetation is minimized. Consider removing redundant trails. Areas with known rare plants should be avoided, and areas with specialized animal use should be closed during sensitive times of the year.

Subcategories

There are several different types of rocky habitats that require special consideration. Here are the main categories:

Subcategory	Management Considerations
Alpine Very sensitive habitat found on mountaintops above tree line.	Minimize trail density and keep trail users on the trail to protect sensitive vegetation.
Rocky ridges Exposed rock above steep slopes. Rocky ridges are often found above cliffs and talus that are important nesting and denning habitat.	Consider closing trails seasonally for nesting or denning animals that may be living in the rocks below.
Cliffs & Ledges Tall and steep areas of exposed rock. Often preferred nesting or denning habitat for peregrine falcons, ravens, bobcats, and porcupines.	Trails and rock climbing routes should be designed to avoid impacts to nesting or denning animals and rare plants. Consider closing seasonally.
Talus Large areas of gravel or boulders found beneath cliffs. Can be preferred denning sites for porcupines and bobcats. Can host rare plants.	New recreation infrastructure should be designed to avoid impacts to nesting or denning animals and rare plants. Consider closing seasonally.
Caves Openings and tunnels in the earth. Can be critical hibernation sites for bats.	If bats use a cave, consider closing access in the winter or year-round.

Regulatory Considerations

Ground disturbance on steep slopes may require an Alteration of Terrain permit. Endangered plants and animals may be protected by federal and state law.

Further Information and Guidance

The NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, NH Fish and Game Department, White Mountain National Forest, Appalachian Mountain Club, and local conservation commissions are all sources for further information.

Grass and Shrub Habitats, Pine Barrens

What are they?

Grasslands are landscapes dominated by herbaceous plants. We call them grasslands, but wildflowers like goldenrod, aster, and milkweed are sometimes even more abundant than true grasses. In New Hampshire, most of our grasslands continue to exist because mechanical mowing or livestock keep them free of trees and shrubs. In the past this work was done by beavers, lightning, and fire — either natural or through Native American land management.

Shrublands are usually early successional forests. For example, old farm fields can turn into shrublands before they become forest, or recently logged areas might be considered shrubland until the saplings grow tall enough to be considered trees. Certain wetland communities, especially those with a beaver presence, can persist as shrublands for long periods of time.

Pine Barrens are a mixture of woodland, grassland, and shrubland that form on dry sandy soils. Frequent disturbance, especially from fire, keeps these ecosystems shifting between pitch pine woodlands, scrub oak shrublands, and blueberry and grass filled openings.

Why are they important?

Grasslands, shrublands, and pine barrens are all important because they offer unique habitats in a region otherwise mostly covered by forest. Grasslands are important to threatened and endangered species like the eastern hognose snake, the eastern meadowlark, and declining native bee species. Shrublands offer abundant food and shelter to endangered or uncommon animals like the New England cottontail rabbit, golden-winged warbler, and game animals such as deer, ruffed grouse, and American woodcock.

Pine barrens are one of the rarest ecosystems on Earth. This is because they occur on unique sandy soils that were deposited by glaciers, they are dependent on fire, which modern people have suppressed, and they have been developed because their flat ground has been easy to build on. Pine barrens are important to common animals like deer and turkeys, but they also support threatened and endangered plants, animals, and insects.

How are they identified?

Grasslands are areas that are dominated by grasses, sedges, and wildflowers, and do not have many woody plants like shrubs or trees. Grasslands are usually managed agricultural fields. Shrublands are areas covered in shrubs or young trees. Pine barrens, occurring only in southern New Hampshire, are areas dominated by pitch pine and scrub oak growing on sandy soils.

See the chart below for more identifying descriptions of each habitat type.

General Management Considerations

Managed grasslands need to be mown at least once every year or two to remain open. Shrublands depend on timber harvests, semi-regular management in places like utility rights-of-way, or natural disturbances like in beaver influenced wetlands. Shrublands can also be managed though longer-interval mechanized mowing or grinding. These two habitat types are resilient to many forms of outdoor recreation. It is always a good idea, however, to make sure that large infrastructure-free areas remain for wildlife.

Pine barrens are exceptionally rare in New Hampshire and are more sensitive than many other ecosystems. It is well-advised to talk to staff from The Nature Conservancy, the Natural Heritage Bureau, or New Hampshire Fish and Game Department before developing any new recreational opportunities. Because pine barrens are fire-adapted ecosystems, they need controlled burns to stay healthy. Recreational infrastructure should be planned so that it does not conflict with future management. Areas should also be surveyed for rare plants before building new outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Cows in a pasture with morning mist hanging in the air

Subcategories

Subcategory	Management Considerations
Grassland Areas dominated by herbaceous (non-woody) plants. Home to habitat specialists like grassland birds, which need large undisturbed areas of grassland (at least 5 acres) without nearby trees.	Mow at least every year or two. Keep outdoor recreation infrastructure to edges or concentrate in a small area. Grassland birds need at least 5 acres of undisturbed space, and more is better.
Shrubland Areas dominated by shrubs or young trees. Important for deer, turkey, roughed grouse, and New England Cottontail. New England Cottontail is endangered in NH.	Keep some large areas undisturbed for wildlife. Regular timber harvests or other management such as allowing beaver presence can maintain an area as shrubland.
Pine barrens Rare ecosystems characterized by pitch pine, scrub oak, and grassy patches growing on sandy soils. Home to endangered species such as the Karner blue butterfly, which relies upon the sundial lupine flower to survive.	Require regular controlled burns to stay healthy. Talk to pine barrens experts before any disturbance, which can destroy rare plants and animals.

Regulatory Considerations

Rare species and some habitats are protected by state and federal laws. Beaver complexes are wetlands which are regulated by State, Federal, and some local governments.

Further Information and Guidance

Staff from the Natural Heritage Bureau or New Hampshire Fish and Game Department can provide further information about managing grasslands, shrublands, and pine barrens alongside recreation. The Nature Conservancy has regional expertise in pine barrens. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau is the best place to find out more about how wetland regulations might impact your project.

Wetlands

What are they?

Wetlands are places in the landscape where the ground regularly becomes flooded or saturated, and that support plants adapted to wet conditions. A wetland can look like a beaver pond, a swampy patch of woods, or even just an area of lawn that is sometimes too wet to mow. If the ground is muddy or squishy into late May, or if the area holds water for a while after a big storm, there is a good chance it is a wetland.

Why are they important?

Water is essential for all living things. Wetlands slow water down on its journey from the sky to the sea, and so provide a location where water, land, air, plants, and animals can all interact. Because of this, wetlands are some of the most vibrant ecosystems on Earth. By slowing water, wetlands also filter stormwater, prevent erosion, recharge groundwater, and store floodwater. This protects people from extreme weather and provides us with clean water and healthy ecosystems to enjoy.

How are they identified?

If an activity will cause muddy ruts, or if it requires fill or a boardwalk to keep the trail dry, then you probably have a wetland on your hands. When in doubt, contact a professional for help. Wetland scientists are certified in New Hampshire and can identify a wetland and its boundaries by looking at the soil, plants, and signs of recent water on the landscape.

See the chart below for more identifying descriptions of each habitat type.

General Management Considerations

It is best to keep recreational activities that involve trails, earth disturbance, or vegetation clearing out of wetlands whenever possible. A buffer of natural vegetation around the wetlands should also be left undisturbed to protect the wetland function. If a project is near a wetland, it is best to talk to a professional. There also may be regulatory requirements.

A fisherman wading back to shore through the shallows

Subcategories

There are many kinds of wetlands, and some of them are less common or more sensitive and require special consideration. Here are some of the main categories:

Wetland Type	Management Considerations
Floodplains Floodplains are low-lying areas along rivers and some lakes that often flood during spring melt or after large storms. Some floodplains flood every year, and others only rarely or occasionally. They hold onto water, making flooding downstream less severe. Areas that flood most years are important habitat for fish and wildlife.	Floodplains that are wet most years are more sensitive to disturbance. Avoid outdoor infrastructure in these wet areas.
Marshes and shrub wetlands These include everything from soggy lawns and cattail ditches to huge beaver marshes and alder swamps. Marshes and shrub wetlands can be especially important for birds such as ducks, red-winged blackbirds, and great blue herons.	All marshes and shrub wetlands are sensitive, but bigger and more natural areas often need more protection.
Peatlands Peatlands are unique ecosystems with slow decomposition resulting in an accumulation of partially decayed plants. Examples include bogs and fens. These unique and mysterious places often host carnivorous pitcher plants and colorful orchids.	Peatlands and their buffers are extremely sensitive to any disturbance and changes to the flow of water. Avoid outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Swamps Swamps are simply wetlands that have trees. Because they are shaded by tree cover, they are important for providing a flow of cool clean water for fish and other wildlife. In the northern part of the state, these wetlands include black spruce peat swamps or forest seeps. The southern part of the state contains rare Atlantic white cedar swamps and pitch pine – heath swamps.	Tree cover is important to maintain so that the water coming out of swamps stays cool. Ground disturbance in swamps should be avoided to keep the water clean. Rare swamp types are usually not appropriate locations for outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Vernal pools Vernal pools are small ponds that provide essential breeding habitat for animals like wood frogs, fairy shrimp, and spotted salamanders. These ponds usually dry up by mid-summer, which means that fish can’t survive year-to-year to eat the amphibian eggs.	Outdoor recreation infrastructure should stay outside of the high-water mark of the pools. Recreation infrastructure should be avoided within 100 feet of the pool, and limit trails beyond that threshold. Major earth moving, tree clearing, or ruts should be avoided within 700 feet of the pool.

Regulatory Considerations

Most wetlands are regulated by Federal, State, and local governments. Always check in with these agencies before designing new recreation infrastructure or upgrading existing trails.

Further Information and Guidance

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau is the best place to find out more about how wetland regulations might impact your project. Local Conservation Commissions can help navigate any local rules, which vary town by town.

Lakes, Ponds, Rivers

What are they?

Lakes, ponds, and rivers are all places where freshwater can be found reliably throughout the year.

Why are they important?

These ecosystems allow plants and animals that need year-round aquatic habitat to live and reproduce. Brook trout, landlocked salmon, ospreys, eagles, water lilies, damsel flies, otters, turtles, and all sorts of other creatures need clean natural freshwater environments to survive. People are also attracted to these resources, using them for fishing, swimming, boating, hunting, and more. Lakes, rivers, and ponds also supply drinking water and recharge groundwater.

How are they identified?

Lakes and ponds are bodies of water surrounded by dry land. Lakes tend to be larger and deeper than ponds, though the distinction is not officially defined, nor are they regulated differently. The best way to tell the difference is to see if its name includes the word lake or pond.

Rivers and streams are moving bodies of water that transport water and sediment as they flow from high elevation to low elevation.

See the chart below for more identifying descriptions of each habitat type.

General Management Considerations

Lakes, ponds, and rivers are sensitive to excess sediment, pollution, and heat. The best way to protect them is to keep a naturally vegetated buffer around their edges. Natural vegetation ensures that shoreline soils are stabilized by roots, that pollution is filtered before it gets to the water, and that waters are kept as shady and cool as possible. Trails should approach the water’s edge only sparingly, and any crossings should be made over properly designed bridges and culverts. Natural aquatic vegetation (what many people call pond weeds) should also be left intact as they act as nurseries for juvenile fish and are crucial for healthy habitats and fish populations. Invasive aquatic plants and animals have become a huge problem affecting many lakes, ponds, and rivers. All boats and other watercraft should always be cleaned, drained, and dry before entering a new body of water.

Subcategories

Subcategory	Management Considerations
Shorelines and riparian edges The first 50 to 100 feet of dry land at the edge of the water. Natural vegetation in these areas is crucial for keeping the water cool, filtering pollution, and providing habitat.	Don't mow or build roads up to the water's edge. Plant trees if there aren't any. Keep shorelines natural.
Littoral zone The shallower parts of water bodies where sunlight can reach the bottom and aquatic plants can grow. This is where lily pads and other aquatic vegetation grow, juvenile fish live, and herons hunt.	Minimize management in these areas, which means leaving native pond weeds, sticks, and muck as they are, or only clearing a narrow channel for boat and swim access.
Cold water lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams High elevation ponds, spring-fed streams and rivers, and deep lakes. Brook trout and other fish need cold, clean, oxygen-rich water to survive.	Keep shorelines vegetated with trees so that the water stays shady and cool. Fallen trees and a mixture of riffles and pools provide essential habitat for trout.
Nesting birds Birds like great blue herons, eagles, and osprey often nest along or near the water. Other birds like loons, ducks, grebes, and moorhens nest among floating vegetation.	Give nesting birds a wide berth. Never go close enough that they change their behavior or make distressed noises. Consider closing off areas that have known nesting birds.
Stream and river crossings Places where trails cross streams and rivers. Improperly designed structures can cause erosion, block fish passage (even on small streams), and make flooding worse.	Streams and rivers should be crossed with properly designed bridges and culverts. Guidelines are for the structure to span at least 1.2 bank-full-widths, to have a natural substrate, and to allow the stream to pass without a drop off at one end. It is best to work with a professional.

Regulatory Considerations

Relevant regulations include the Clean Water Act, the Rivers Management and Protection Program, and the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act. Local municipalities may have additional regulations.

Further Information and Guidance

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and New Hampshire Fish and Game Department have many programs devoted to lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Other helpful resources include the University of New Hampshire Extension, Trout Unlimited, and other regional and local groups.

Coastal Habitats

What are they?

Coastal habitats are places in the landscape where the land meets the sea. They support a variety of crucial and often endangered fish, wildlife and bird habitats. Coastal ecosystems include rocky shores and islands, dunes, estuaries (where rivers meet the ocean), and salt marshes.

Why are they important?

New Hampshire's coastal habitats are vital because they provide critical habitat for wildlife and birds (including a number of threatened and endangered species), act as natural barriers against erosion and flooding, improve water quality by filtering runoff, support local economies through tourism and fishing, and serve as important sites for recreation and education. We only have 18 miles of coastline in New Hampshire, and so protecting these habitats is crucial.

How are they identified?

Coastal habitats are typically located within eyesight or earshot of the ocean, but tides can bring saltwater surprisingly far inland in some estuaries. When in doubt, it's best to contact a professional for assistance. Scientists can determine the type of coastal habitat present by examining the rocks, soils, plants, and water.

General Management Considerations

It is best to keep recreational activities that involve built infrastructure, like trails, buildings, fields, earth disturbance, and/or vegetation clearing, out of coastal habitats whenever possible. Consult a professional if coastal habitats might be impacted by an outdoor recreation project.

Two people walk on a rocky jetty extending into the ocean toward a distant lighthouse

Subcategories

Coastal Habitat Type	Management Considerations
Sand Dunes Less than 2 miles of New Hampshire's 18 miles of coastline are sand dunes. Dunes are constantly changing areas of sand and gravel that are deposited by wave and wind action within a marine beach system. They are a crucial habitat for some birds that rely on them for breeding, migration, and wintering.	Given the sensitivity of this habitat, new trails and other outdoor recreation infrastructure should avoid dunes.
Estuarine Estuarine habitats form where rivers meet the sea and include eelgrass beds, oyster reefs, and intertidal mudflats. They are extremely productive habitats and host a variety of bird and marine species for breeding.	Outdoor recreation infrastructure should not be built in estuarine habitats.
Marine Marine habitats are found in the ocean. They include offshore waters and are home to countless species of fish, crustaceans, seals, whales, and more.	Fishing and boating are the main outdoor recreation activities to consider in marine habitats. Maintain sustainable harvest limits and respect marine animals while boating.
Salt Marsh Salt marshes are grass-dominated tidal wetlands that exist in the transition zone between ocean and upland. They are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, home to hundreds of species of plants, birds, and wildlife. They also protect coastal areas from storm surges.	Outdoor recreation infrastructure should completely avoid salt marshes. Restoring and protecting the remaining salt marsh habitat and the surrounding upland buffer habitat should be prioritized.
Coastal Islands and Rocky Shores Coastal islands and rocky shores are usually remote, undisturbed, and free of predators. Vegetation typically includes grasses, other herbaceous plants, and shrub thickets growing among rocky outcrops, with few to no trees. These habitats are important for bird migration and wintering habitat.	To protect wildlife and bird habitats, outdoor recreation infrastructure should be minimized.

Regulatory Considerations

Coastal habitats are strongly regulated by Federal, State, and some local governments. Always check in with these agencies before upgrading or designing new outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Further Information and Guidance

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department are the best places to find out more about how existing coastal regulations might impact your project. Local Conservation Commissions can help navigate any local rules. The US Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA Coastal Program and the Coastal Conservation Association of New Hampshire can be a source of additional information and resources.