The New England Cottontail was once widespread throughout New England. So prolific was this creature that rabbit stew was common New England fare. Now the New England Cottontail can not be found at all in Vermont and there are only a few known isolated patches of New England Cottontail populations remaining. At least one of those locations is in the Seacoast area. Scientists and local conservation groups are working together to try and locate additional populations and manage land to support their continued survival. These groups need help in searching for and recording additional locations in our area.
If you have seen rabbit tracks in the snow or just want to learn more about Maine’s only native rabbit, join biologists and conservationists on January 10th to learn more and help save our native bunnies.
The Jan 10th program will include exploration of NE Cottontail habitats at Laudholm Farm along with a discussion of the natural history and habitat needs of this endangered species. The walk will be accompanied by a slideshow presentation in the Wells Reserve Auditorium. Instructors will teach where to look, how to collect pellets, what information to collect and what to do with this information. Space is limited to 30. Please bring your own lunch, dress warmly and wear boots for walking in deep snow. If you have snowshoes, bring them along as well. We will be venturing into scrubby, thorny habitats in search of cottontail rabbit signs.
WHAT: New England Cottontail Rabbit Survey Training
WHERE: Laudholm Farm/ the Wells Estuarine Research Reserve
WHEN: Saturday, January 10, 2009
TIME: 9:00 am- 11:30 am
SPONSORED BY: the Great Works Regional Land Trust, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and the York Land Trust
REGISTRATION: by phone (207) 646-3604 or via email at info@gwrlt.org
More info: gwrlt.org
