Diverse Wildlife and Habitats in the Granite State
New Hampshire's diverse landscapes include granite peaks, forests, wetlands, grasslands, coastal islands, and nearly a thousand lakes and ponds. The state's seven major watersheds provide habitat for hundreds of fish and wildlife species, many of them at risk. Fish, wildlife and natural lands are important part of New Hampshire's history and culture and a draw for visitors from around the world.
Challenges to New Hampshire's Wildlife
The greatest current and future danger for New Hampshire's wildlife is conversion of wildlife habitat into surfaces and structures - in a word, development. Many habitats are rapidly disappearing or are fragmented by roads and dams, and many ecosystems are pushed out of balance by human activities. New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in the Northeast, with a human population increase of more than 17 percent from 1994 to 2004.
Even the best-protected wildlife populations and habitats -- and the clean air and water they depend on -- are threatened by climate change, environmental degradation and pollution.
Resources and Information
- New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan Habitat Maps & Tools (link: NHF&G)
- New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan Partners (link: NHF&G)
Restoring a Treasured State Symbol
US FWS
The Karner blue, a sapphire butterfly with a wingspan barely an inch across, disappeared from New Hampshire a decade ago. Many people and organizations have been working to bring back the Karner blue—New Hampshire's official state butterfly—and to restore pine barrens habitat, the only place where the butterfly can survive. A captive rearing program, partially funded with State Wildlife Grants, has resulted in a small but growing wild butterfly population, protecting New Hampshire’s state butterfly for future generations.
Sustaining New Hampshire's Wildlife Legacy
A video about the history of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and it's growing funding needs as we enter a new era of
wildlife conservation marked by the completion of New Hampshire's
Wildlife Action Plan. To fit YouTube limits, we've cut about a minute of great wildlife footage from the end, visit
www.wildnh.com for information on how to
receive a complete DVD.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
