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Quimby Mountain inventory finds more than 500 species, notes young American chestnuts; stewardship plan review planned
Summary
Consultant work at Quimby Mountain has documented more than 500 species, two uncommon plants, monarch butterflies and a notable population of young American chestnut saplings; the conservation commission expects a draft stewardship plan and a fall public meeting.
Hooksett conservation contractors working at Quimby Mountain have documented a large species list and ecological features that the commission said it will review in a forthcoming stewardship-plan draft.
Joe Carroll, chair of the Hooksett Conservation Commission, summarized an update from consultant Jeff (name on file) saying the ecological inventory team has completed seven of eight planned field visits and recorded over 500 species, including two uncommon plants (cyperus sedge and yellow screw stem), a robust population of young American chestnut saplings and several birds and insects of conservation concern.
Carroll said the inventory found at least 50 young chestnut trees (some up to about 5 inches in diameter) but noted the species is affected by blight and that no mature nut-producing chestnuts were observed. The consultant also reported monarch butterflies and a breeding population of a lustrous reed beetle in a southern wetland — a species the team said has been recorded at only three other locations in New Hampshire.
Next steps: The consultant will prepare a detailed report and the commission expects a draft stewardship plan to be presented for public review in the fall. The committee said it will consider parking and access recommendations as part of stewardship planning, and that any final plan will be presented to the town council for acceptance.
Why it matters: Quimby Mountain is a local conservation holding with ecological value; the inventory will guide stewardship actions, public access recommendations and any management decisions such as timber inventories or habitat protections.
Ending
The commission said it will circulate the consultant’s report to members and schedule a public meeting this fall to review the draft stewardship plan before finalizing recommendations to the town council.
