The New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition believes that wildlife in our state belongs to everyone, not just those who hunt, fish or trap. We encourage an ecosystem perspective at NH Fish & Game that ensures that all wildlife are treated with respect and with the future in mind.
We believe that greater consideration should be placed on the ecological role wildlife plays in our ecosystem.
For example, in finalizing trapping rules in 2018, there was little or no consideration given to the influence that predators, like foxes, fisher and coyotes have on the health of other species’ populations or on ecosystem health.
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This brochure can be downloaded and printed.
Co-founders Chris Schadler and John Harrigan envisioned the New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition as an addition to the state’s outdoor community and a strong voice for wildlife and its habitat.
The New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition’s Steering Committee includes a broad diversity of the public, including scientists, members of the conservation community, birdwatchers, hikers, paddlers, hunters and anglers.
Chris taught in the Department of Natural Resources at UNH and lectured at Granite State College since 1993. Her MS in Conservation Biology focused on wolf recovery in Michigan but her real education occurred in NH on her sheep farm, figuring out how to live with coyotes. She is now the NH and VT Rep for Project Coyote, a national organization promoting coexistence with coyotes and for 30 years has lectured throughout New England on the Eastern Coyote. She is a member of the North East Wolf Coalition and leads Wolf Trips to Algonquin Provincial Park and beyond.
Her interests include winter tracking, kayaking, hiking, and a great love for Appalachian music.
John Harrigan (1947 – 2023)
In Memoriam
John Harrigan, widely respected outdoors writer, hunter, fisherman, sheep farmer and pundit, co-founded our Coalition following the defeat of a misconceived effort to open a hunt on the bobcat. He had a thing for wild cats and foxes and took pride in coexisting with coyotes who never bothered his sheep.
Until his death he believed wildlife, a public trust shared by all, should get a “better deal” with a more open and democratic governance structure at NH Fish & Game. We will continue to work for that ‘better deal’ with the support of our members and allies throughout New Hampshire.
Rest in Peace, dear friend
Weldon is a retired environmental consultant. He has over 45 years of consulting experience evaluating a variety of potential impacts to populations and communities of biological organisms throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Interests include paddling, biking, hiking and skiing. He is a U.S. Army veteran (1964-1968).
Meade was on the faculty of Antioch University New England Environmental Studies Dept. from 1974 to 2008 and directed Harris Center for Conservation Education (in Hancock) 1975-2008. Currently “Senior Naturalist Emeritus”, Harris Center.
Interests include birding, tracking mammals, habitat management hereabouts– and visiting other ecosystems (SW and PAC NW, tropics) plus, off & on, baritone ukulele.
Geoff is the former land director for the Society for the Protection of NH Forests and former director of the NH Wildlife Federation. He was a charter member of the NH Timber Harvesting Committee. He started his own forestry consulting and tree removal business, Loveland Forestry, in 2010. Geoff’s academic career was interrupted with a 1200 mile kayak expedition in northern Canada in 1968.
Interests include kayaking, canoeing, sailing, camping, hiking, & protecting land. He is a veteran of the US Coast Guard (1969-73).
Rick is a Principal in Ecosystem Management Consultants. He is a certified wetland scientist and founding member of the NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists. He was on the faculty of Antioch College from 1985-2001 and an adjunct professor at Plymouth State College from 2003-2008. He is on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the NH Wildlife Action Plan.
Interests include virtually everything in the natural world, and sometimes, people.
New Hampshire Fish and Game is in charge of one of our most precious public goods: New Hampshire’s delicate wildlife ecosystems.
Unfortunately, the decision making body does not fully represent all Granite Staters. In order to sit on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission, you must have had a hunting license for 5 of the previous 10 years – and have the blessing of a hunting organization.
New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition closely monitors legislation proposed by the New Hampshire Legislature and changes in rules proposed by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department during biennial rulemaking. We decide whether legislation and rules are consistent with our mission priorities and either support or oppose these initiatives. In many instances one or more of our steering committee members prepares and presents testimony before the legislature or the Fish and Game Commission.
We also write letters to the editors or prepare Op-Eds for various state media and send out periodic emails alerting our supporters about initiatives that need their input and advocacy with legislators who represent them.
Wildlife for All, is a national campaign to reform state wildlife management to be more ecologically-driven, democratic and compassionate.
Project Coyote, a national nonprofit organization, is a coalition of wildlife scientists, conservationists, educators, ranchers and community leaders promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and compassionate conservation through education, science, and advocacy.
