Town of Marlow, NH Conservation Commission

04/22/2026

"spotted" on Sand Pond Rd last week!

Spotted salamanders migrate on the first warm rainy nights of spring (typically in April in New Hampshire) to breed in vernal pools. Their egg masses are firm, cloudy or clear jelly globules attached to submerged sticks. Seeing a spotted salamander migration on a warm April night is genuinely one of the most spectacular wildlife events in New England — dozens to hundreds of animals moving silently through the woods toward the same pool.

04/18/2026

You may have guessed due to the beautiful weather outside, but it’s that time of year again…turtles are officially on the move! Yesterday we admitted our first car hit patient of the year, and got reports of many other turtles on the roads.

When you’re driving, please keep an eye out for our shelled neighbors on the road. They made it through brumation, and have limited energy reserves after a long winter. They are now on the move to find food and mates, and closer to May we will start seeing nesting females on the roads.

If you do come across a turtle in the road:

⚠️ Please be cautious of your safety first, no matter the situation - you cannot help wildlife if you’re not here, and unfortunately many people are distracted on the roads, so please be safe 👀

➡️ Help them cross the road, ALWAYS in the direction they were headed - they know where they’re going, and if you move them to the same side they came from, they will just try again. When in doubt, give us a call or text. 🐢

✅ Report to NH Fish and Game to contribute to conservation research - NHFG has a Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP) where you can send a photo and specific details about where you found the turtle, to help NHFG monitor populations and know where they are crossing roads 🌿

If you do come across an injured turtle in the road, please give us a call or text at (603) 417-4944. We always greatly appreciate if you’re able to transport the turtle to us, or we can reach out to our wonderful network of Turtle Transporters to arrange for someone to meet you instead.

Check the comments for resources on how to pick up a turtle when crossing the road (snapping turtles require special handling, you only hold want to hold the back 1/3rd of the body but NEVER by the tail). We will also link to the RAARP program where you can report turtle sightings.

Thank you for caring about turtles! 💚🐢 We greatly appreciate working with our community to give these turtles another chance. We couldn't do it without you!

P.S. Thank you to our amazing clinic volunteer Jean for the photo from a turtle she helped yesterday!

08/19/2025

Time sure is flying by! Join us for our next Birding on the Farm Workshop at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro, Vermont. Learn new skills and learn about wildlife conservation.

When: September 16th at 8am
Where: The Retreat Farm, Brattleboro VT

Register on our website, https://www.cheshireconservation.org/event-details/birding-on-the-farm-retreat-farm

Presented by Cheshire CCD, NRCS, Windham NRCD, Monadnock Bird and Nature Club, Monadnock Outdoors, Monadnock Conservancy, and Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society.

Image description: white background with green bottom. To the left is a picture of multiple people using binoculars. To the right, the image reads “Birding on the Farm Workshop Series. Join us for an exciting opportunity to bird on farms throughout our region! Learn new skills and learn about wildlife conservation on the farm! September 16th @ 8AM - 10AM: The Retreat Farm, Brattleboro, VT. More workshop offerings to be announced soon.”

06/23/2025

Tomorrow in Keene!

Happy !

What is pollination?

Pollination is a vital stage in the life cycle of all flowering plants. When pollen is moved within a flower or carried from one flower to another of the same species it leads to fertilization. This transfer of pollen is necessary for healthy and productive native & agricultural ecosystems!

-About 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization.
-About 1,000 of all pollinators are vertebrates such as birds, bats, and small mammals.
-Most pollinators (about 200,000 species) are beneficial insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, and bees.
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Today, pollinators and their habitat are at risk due to development of critical habitat, pesticide, and herbicide use. Climate change is also a driver in impacting pollinator populations!

CCCD supports pollinator health through our educational and outreach programs! We can't wait to see you (rain or shine) at the upcoming Pollinator Palooza for afternoon of learning and celebration of pollinators! This year's event is on Tuesday, June 24th from 11:00AM-2:00PM at the Ashuelot River Park in Keene!

Register Today: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/events

Source: www.pollinator.org The Pollinator Partnership

Image Description: Hummingbird pollinating flowers, source: Canva