ERROL, N.H. – A centennial birthday bash honoring the nation’s wildlife refuge system at Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge Tuesday drew just one of three invited dignitaries.

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who helped establish Lake Umbagog refuge in 1992, arrived at the refuge’s Potter Farm at 11 a.m., but U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, R-N.H., and U.S. Rep. Charles F. Bass, R-N.H., sent aides.

Both Gregg and refuge manager Paul Casey of Upton briefed the crowd of more than 100 adults and children about the refuge’s creation in 1992 and President Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation and wildlife protection actions.

On March 14, 1903, Roosevelt set aside Pelican Island, a tiny isle off the east coast of Florida to protect pelicans and other bird species from hunters. It initiated the National Wildlife Refuge System and 100 years of conservation.

Casey also recognized “the irreplaceable value American citizens put on wildlife resources.”

Gregg said he considered Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge “to be one of the jewels of New Hampshire. It’s one of the really unique gems.”

Instead of being held at the refuge’s headquarters on Route 16, the Centennial Celebration took place at the more spacious Potter Farm property off Route 26.

Casey said the 124-acre Potter Farm was the first piece of property purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the refuge, which now protects wildlife on 17,500 acres in northern New Hampshire and western Maine.

Created on Nov. 17, 1992, the reserve provides long-term conservation to important wetland and upland wildlife habitat for migratory birds and endangered species.

Gregg said the lake itself, which is more than 10 miles long and covers more than 8,500 acres, hosts one of the largest nesting concentrations of common loons in New Hampshire.

“This lake has a specialness to it because it is so pristine and has so many different wildlife activities going on in it. It’s inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System guarantees that it will go on into the future,” he added.

During the awards ceremony, Tom St. Hilaire, executive director of Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation, bestowed Casey and the refuge with a 21st Century American Heritage Refuge award for being one of the nation’s top 10 wildlife management areas.

As if on cue, one of the loons that Gregg mentioned, yodeled tremolos throughout St. Hilaire’s speech, seemingly competing for listeners.

Lesley Kane-Szynal of the Trust for Public Land, then honored Gregg with the Trust’s Rough Rider Award for his efforts in establishing Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and for supporting the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“Like Roosevelt, Sen. Gregg has led the charge to protect this beautiful landscape behind us for our children’s children,” Kane-Szynal said.

She also thanked Gregg, New Hampshire’s former governor and Congressman, for securing just over $12 million for conservation efforts in New Hampshire, “especially when it counts.”

“Roosevelt said, ‘Nine-tenths of wisdom consists of being wise in time.’ Sen. Gregg, thanks to you, we are now surrounded by some of the more precious natural resources in this country which will be enjoyed for generations to come. Thank you for your wisdom for being wise on time,” Kane-Szynal added.

Gregg, Casey, and Lake Umbagog deputy refuge manager Ian Drew of Bethel, and Drew and Casey’s young children, then lowered a large cylindrical time capsule into a concrete-lined hole at the refuge’s Potter Farm. The capsule will be opened 100 years from now.

Audubon Society of New Hampshire President Richard Moore then designated Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge as the state’s second Important Bird Area. Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson and Whitefield, N.H., was the state’s first such spot.

“In some ways, Lake Umbagog should be the first Important Bird Area, because in the 1870s, William Brewster, New Hampshire’s first bird ornithologist, did work there,” Moore said.

Lunch, then a one-mile bird walk hike through the refuge culminated the day’s events.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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