MMRG guided snowshoe walk set for Feb. 27

Snowshoe walk will follow Jones Brook in Milton. MMRG photo)

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and Branch Hill Farm will offer a free snowshoe walk led by Rich Cook of the NH Fish and Game Department and wildlife expert Charlie Bridges.

The walk will take place Saturday morning. Feb. 27.

The destination is the old fish hatchery site along the scenic Jones Brook that flows through Branch Hill Farm forest lands off Piggott Hill Road in Milton. En route, trip leaders will point out signs of winter wildlife, talk about winter habitat conditions and suggest ways to manage woodlots to benefit wildlife.

As a land agent at the NH Fish and Game Department, Cook focuses on the acquisition of lands that preserve valuable wildlife habitats and provide public access to them. Bridges is a certified wildlife biologist who recently retired from a 25-year career with the state Fish & Game Department, where he served as the Habitat and Wildlife Diversity Program administrator.

Anticipating the outing, Bridges commented, "Our resident wildlife face challenges every winter - whether the winter weather is relatively easy or difficult. We will look for signs that indicate how they are doing this year."

The outing (snowshoe or otherwise) will be approximately 2 miles round trip of moderate effort, including some guided exploration by bushwhacking. The walk will also make use of the Carl Siemon Memorial Trail, developed as an Eagle Scout project by Corey Woods in 2012.

Eventgoers are asked to preregister for this free event, which will place 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is open to the public. For more information, directions and to register call MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email info@mmrg.info.