Checking in on the Kids...

In spring 2024, NFC came across a logged riparian area on a wild native brook trout stream in New Hampshire's White Mountains region.  Five or so adult trees had been cut from within 10 feet of the water, and the hillside above was clearcut and rutted to get to the larger trees.  Due to extreme moisture caused by the elimination of generations old drainage channels, very little new vegetation had taken root.

NFC raised roughly $500 at a multi-day Tenkara event, just 15 miles as the crow flies from the impacted stream.  The money was used in June 2025 to plant roughly 100 native live stake trees and 6 adult native trees to restore the area.  NFCers also restored the primary run-off channels that had been damaged by heavy equipment and turned the hill muddy. 

Since then, we have checked in on the restoration area twice to see how things were coming along.  The first time was in July, a month after planting, when things were just taking hold.  The adult trees we planted looked good, as did the desirable trees we cleared the brush out from around, but the live stakes were not showing any real signs of life.    

We returned in late August, fearing the worst as most of New England was in a deep drought and had been for close to two months.  We were pleasantly surprised to see that not only had our adult trees grown noticably, but the live stakes were sprouting shoots as they said they would.  The hillside had dried out, and areas we cleared to lessen competition for water and sun for desirable trees were prospering...