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New Hampshire Wildlife Management Areas
Lower Shaker Wildlife Management Area
Town: Enfield
County: Grafton
Acreage: 1,096
Acquisition History: The property was
acquired by fee simple through the LCIP in 1993.
Description: Situated on the easterly
side of Route 4A, the property includes over 70 acres of meadowland
that begins on the Route 4A plain and rises up in a series of benches
to a 1,100-foot elevation. The upper fields provide spectacular
views of Mascoma Lake and valley, as well as providing important
edge habitat for a variety of upland game. Over 1,000 acres of woodland
surround the Route 4A fields. An expansive network of trails extend
through the forested portion of the property. Examples of Shaker
stonework are found throughout the woodland in many stonewalls and
a set of canals that collected water for powering the stone mill
located on Route 4A. Apple trees occupy some of the fields. There
is an active sugarbush (stand of maple sugar trees for sapping).
Habitat projects take place on this property to enhance early successional
habitat, and rehabilitate soft mast-bearing trees on field edges.
These projects are funded in part by the Wildlife Habitat Incentive
Program (WHIP) through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Common Wildlife: Upland species include
all big game and small game, as well as various songbirds. The Mascoma
chapter of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire maintain a bluebird
box program. The fields are all managed for grassland wildlife such
as bobolinks and meadowlarks.
Special Notes: This area is just north
of the 3,000-acre Enfield WMA. Located on the mid-level meadow is
the Shaker feastgrounds, a one-acre parcel delineated by apple trees
and granite. This area provided a secluded location for Shaker spiritual
gatherings.
Directions: Route 4A, across from Mascoma
Lake and the Museum at Lower Shaker Village.
DeLorme N.H. Atlas and Gazetteer coordinates:
Page 34, B 1
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