Current Projects
CFI : Continuous Forest Inventory
CFI plots are permanent sample points that are re-inventoried on a set cycle to gather forest growth data and other information about forests.
Starting in 2005 as part of a ten year implementation, our office intends to put in place a permanent CFI grid on all UNH Woodland properties and record baseline information at each new CFI plot. This allows our students and researchers to have real current and historical data regarding the outdoor classrooms that they regularly use. This will be the start of a historical record of land use and forest growth on our University Woodlands.
Equal Access/Trail Improvement Project
This project is funded through generous contributions by the UNH Parent’s Association and the USDA Forest Service. The Equal Access portion of this project is meant to improve a half mile section of College Woods for use by people with limited mobility. The trail in most cases has been hardened so it can be used by aid equipment including wheelchairs, and rest stops have been installed at intervals along the way. This project should be finished at the end of the summer of 2007.
Other trail improvements are funded through internal University funding sources and are meant to insure safe and enjoyable recreational use. This project is ongoing although major updates should be complete by the end of summer 2008.
New England Cottontail/Early Successional Habitat Project
The goal of this project is to create and maintain early successional and old field habitat components on UNH’s Thompson, East and West Foss Farms. This will be accomplished through a series of mechanical treatments including brush mowing with a brontosaurus mower or similar machine, whole tree harvesting and conventional timber harvest methods. The project will specifically target those species that are associated with old fields, shrubland and early successional growth. 
Future maintenance of these areas will be accomplished through mowing, clearing with handheld power saws and prescribed fire. This habitat benefits a wide range of wildlife species.
It’s sometimes assumed that by providing habitat for one species you are potentially removing it from use by another. Fortunately, ample mature woodland is available immediately adjacent to the areas that are to be converted to openings. This project should not severely impact woodland wildlife currently using these university lands and will enhance habitat for many wildlife species dependent on shrubland and old field habitats.
The Quigley Demonstration Area at the Horticulture Farm
This area is being developed to demonstrate how various methods of timber harvesting are implemented as well how each can impact the future development of the stand. At the completion of the project the following treatment blocks will have been implemented:
- Uneven-aged management of Eastern Hemlock using single tree and small group selection.(5B)
- Even aged management using large group selection.(4A)
- Shelterwood system of regenerating white pine.(4B)
- Strip clearcuts and regenerative response in a mixed hemlock/white pine stand.(2b & 3B)
- Single tree selection and the release of a sugar bush.(1b)
- Free thinning in a young white pine stand.(6a and 6b)
- Crown thinning in a mixed wood stand.(1A)
Harvesting here will be done by the Thompson School harvesting class; the timber that is cut will be sawn by the UNH sawmilling class.
