Manchester, NH

The SCA Manchester Crew's visit to the Karner Blue Butterfly Easement within the Concord Pine Barrens exemplified the concept of service learning. The SCA-M crew began the day with an interpretive hike, led by the Fish and Game Department who taught the crew about the delicate Pine Barren Forest ecosystem. The crew learned that fire is essential to this type of habitat because the fire resets the ecosystem by pushing back unwanted vegetation. This, in turn, increases light availability for vegetation vital to the habitat, such as the Blue Lupine plant which is the sole food source for the endangered New Hampshire State Butterfly - The Karner Blue.

The newly educated crew could now begin their service work for the day. They began clearing vegetation along a migratory butterfly corridor, making room for Blue Lupine to be planted the following month. After lunch they visited the ‘Captive Rearing Lab' where the crew members were given the opportunity to examine Karner eggs under magnification and witness the process by which they raise, tag, study, capture and release thousands of butterflies every year. The SCA-M crew returned to the Easement once more to create a firebreak; a clearing of vegetation which creates the perimeter of a prescribed burn, preventing it from getting out of control and becoming a wildfire. The crew finished the day hot and sweaty but cooled down with some much needed ice cream!

The SCA CLC's visit to Red Manse Organic Farm proved to be a victory over invasive plants that were slowing taking over. Armed with loppers, bow saws, pick mattocks and pick axes these thorny and deep rooted plants did not stand a chance. The CLC had the largest member turn out for the season and made for an army to be reckoned with. The weather even worked to their favor with sunny skies and a fresh breeze to cool these dirty but hard working volunteers. Midday the crew took a break to replenish their energy supply with lunch and homemade brownies, compliments of Red Manse. Members spread out to partake in a spontaneous game of Name Game Soccer and to introduce themselves to the Tuson's three children. Then it was back to confront the army of invasive plants. The day finished with a trek through the surrounding woods to take in the beauty of the thawing pond. The CLC members tried their hand at rock skipping but were no match for Earl Tuson, Red Manse owner and farmer.

Picture: Sarah and Vanessa's Bittersweet Triumph over invasive species

Coyotes, insects, herbs, chickens and vegan food: what do these all have in common? These are just a few of the topics that were presented at this year's Northeastern Organic Farmers Association's (NOFA) Winter Conference. The SCA CLC teamed up with the SCA corps members to assist with preparations for the event and also to make sure the workshops ran smoothly and stayed on schedule by volunteering as room monitors. Even though the day was long, it went off without a hitch. Surprisingly, the weather even cooperated. Throughout the day the CLC attended all four workshop series while taking breaks to explore the tide of vendors spread throughout the gym,. Midday the conference attendees gathered in the cafeteria for the Community Potluck Lunch. There was an amazing selection of goodies to choose from and good conversation to be had. After lunch, the CLC could not resist the smell of fresh air, so they headed outside to indulge in some rare sunshine. The day finished with some very sleepy-eyed but far more knowledgeable CLC members climbing back into the van to head home in Manchester.

Picture: The CLC corps members after a long and rewarding day at the NOFA Winter Conference

Mother Nature’s unpredictable temperament came just in time for the SCA CLC member’s hiking trip to Bear Brook State Park. A few days prior to the CLC event, a vicious wind and rain storm tore through the state uprooting hundreds of trees and knocking over power lines, leaving Bear Brook without power for nearly a week. Temperatures dropped the night before the event as a fresh layer of snow blanketed the unsettled park. The CLC arrived to Bear Brook awe-struck with beauty and ready to explore. The members bundled up for an interpretive hike lead by one of the SCA’s own knowledgeable corps members. Tracks were hard to come as the melting snow from the treetops fell to disrupt the fresh snow but that did not distract the avid members from identifying a number of plant life ranging from white pine, to red maple, to blueberry shrubs. The CLC even saw signs of moose and beaver. Then they headed back to the Bear Brook lodge to enjoy a much needed feasting without the luxury of electricity. Ready to get moving, the members geared up for some valuable conservation work. They headed off to ‘Broken Boulder Trail’ to clear and make the trail passable. This was the first conservation outing for the members and they worked diligently to remove fallen debris and saw off giant limbs from the fallen trees. Upon arrival at Smith’s Pond, the members gathered under the lean-to shelter on the ponds edge for break, and then they headed back to vans to warm their toes and head home.

Picture: CLC corps members enjoying a much needed break at Smith’s Pond lean-to