Sat, Mar 21, 2026 – Let’s Talk Turtles!

Posted on by NHARL in Events (Passed)

Turtles look tough, but they are in trouble. So in 2024, we launched the Turtle Brigade — a dedicated team on a mission to protect New Hampshire turtles from dangerous, human-made threats like busy roads. 

Join us Sat., March 21 as we welcome wildlife biologist Josh Megyesy and NH Turtle Rescue founders Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens for a talk about turtle conservation in the Granite State followed by a discussion of the Turtle Brigade’s Spring 2026 turtle-saving plans!

Save me a seat

Let’s Talk Turtles!

Speakers: Josh Megyesy, NH Wildlife Biologist
Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens, NH Turtle Rescue

Sat., March 21 at 10:00 am
Hilton Garden Inn Manchester
101 South Commercial St., Manchester

~ Coffee and light refreshments ~

About the Experts

Josh Megyesy is a wildlife biologist with the NH Fish & Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. With over a decade of experience studying and protecting NH’s at-risk turtle populations, Josh specializes in radio telemetry, habitat management, landowner assistance, and education. His work also spans other rare reptiles, amphibians, and nongame species.

Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens are licensed wildlife rehabilitators who founded New Hampshire Turtle Rescue, a volunteer-run nonprofit based in Nottingham. As of 2025, they have provided care to over 800 wild turtles.

Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and preserve native turtle species through individualized care, public education, outreach, and scientific research in support of imperiled populations of wild New Hampshire turtles.

Looking Ahead: Turtle Brigade 2026

Following the talk, we’ll discuss the Turtle Brigade’s action plan for the 2026 turtle season — and how you can get involved!

Sponsor a turtle crossing!

For a small donation, you can sponsor a turtle crossing and have it named in your honor — an enduring way to help protect NH’s turtles.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and take action for New Hampshire’s turtles!

Pear Walnut Salad

Posted on by NHARL in Recipes

The sap is running and the Maple Sugar Houses are boiling! Here is a fantastic salad for lunch or any light meal, featuring Maple Syrup, which is a better choice than honey.

Honey is made by bees for bees. It’s their food source, essential for their survival. Commercial honey production often involves practices that exploit and harm bees, such as replacing their honey with sugar water (which lacks essential nutrients), wing clipping of queen bees, and habitat disruption.

Pear Walnut Salad

Vegan Irish Stew

Posted on by NHARL in Recipes
Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with this Vegan Irish Stew! By opting for a plant-based meal, you’re making a positive impact — reducing animal suffering, lowering your carbon footprint, and embracing the true meaning of going green. So, whether you’re Irish by blood or just for the day, let’s raise a cruelty-free toast to a more compassionate world.

Vegan Irish Stew

Full House for Let’s Talk Turtles!

Posted on by NHARL in In the News

Note: The above photo features a permanently disabled wild animal who is given sanctuary at NH Turtle Rescue. In return for a safe and enriched captive life, these animals help to educate our community about wildlife and environmental conservation.

Turtles look tough, but they are in trouble. So in 2024, we launched the Turtle Brigade — a dedicated team on a mission to protect New Hampshire turtles from dangerous, human-made threats like busy roads.

On March 1, 2025 we welcomed wildlife biologist Josh Megyesy for a talk about turtle conservation in the Granite State followed by a discussion of the Turtle Brigade’s Spring 2025 turtle-saving plans!

Josh Megyesy delivered an outstanding presentation on New Hampshire’s turtles.

We were thrilled to also have special guests Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens from NH Turtle Rescue joining us! The NH Turtle Rescue is the only facility in the state directly working on local turtle rehabilitation, conservation, and research.

Drew and Dallas with an “ambassador turtle” — a permanently disabled wild animal who is given sanctuary at NH Turtle Rescue. In return for a safe and enriched captive life, these animals help to educate our community about wildlife and environmental conservation.

Sponsor a Turtle Crossing

For a small donation, you can <sponsor a turtle crossing and have it named in your honor — an enduring way to help protect NH’s turtles. A turtle crossing consists of two metal signs, on opposite sides of the road, at the start and end of a known turtle crossing zone.

Some Takeaways from Josh’s Talk

Threats to NH Turtles & Conservation Strategies:
  • Habitat loss and road mortality significantly impact turtle populations. Turtles often nest in residential areas, because that’s where they can still find open, flat spaces. The journey to these locations may involve crossing roads and other perils. When a turtle habitat is surrounded by human development, turtles can no longer come and go, making it impossible to sustain a diverse, healthy population.
  • The illegal pet trade is a serious issue. The illegal wildlife trade is the fifth-largest contraband trade, just behind narcotics. Some NH turtles, like the wood turtle, are highly prized. A single adult wood turtle can sell for up to $900 due to demand, primarily from China. Enforcing wildlife protection laws is challenging, and weak penalties mean offenders often continue breaking the law.
How You Can Help:
  • Report turtle sightings. Go to Reporting NH Reptile and Amphibian Sightings or contact Josh at Joshua.Megyesy@wildlife.nh.gov.
  • Advocate for land conservation. Large preserved areas reduce threats like habitat fragmentation, human interaction, and predation from animals like raccoons.
  • Get involved with your town’s conservation commission or planning board to ensure turtles and other wildlife are considered in development projects.
  • Support better wetland crossings in road construction and seasonal timing for land management to minimize turtle risks.
  • Create or enhance nesting habitats. Many turtles lay eggs in residential areas or roadsides, increasing their risk. If you own land, consider adding a sand mound (as shown during the presentation) to provide safe nesting spots.
  • Take advantage of conservation programs. The NRCS Initiative offers incentives to landowners for habitat improvements and best management practices (BMPs).
Special thanks to Lynn Kavanagh of You’ll Eat It and Like It who baked and delivered the delicious vegan berry tarts, muffins, and breads, and to the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester for donating the use of the room!

Vegan Lo Mein

Posted on by NHARL in Recipes
It’s noodle time! Every year, billions of animals suffer in the food industry—but we have the power to choose kindness. By opting for plant-based meals, like this Veggie Lo Mein dish, we take a stand against cruelty while still enjoying delicious, satisfying food! Every meal is a choice—let’s choose compassion!

Easy Vegetable Lo Mein

Sat, Feb 22, 2025 – Vegan Meetup

Posted on by NHARL in Events (Passed)

Great news, Mount Washington area friends! You’ve been asking for a local gathering, and we’re making it happen! 

Join us for our next vegan meetup on Saturday, February 22, at 11:30 AM for a delicious lunch at Table + Tonic (inside The Local Grocer – 3358 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH).

Although Table + Tonic is not fully vegan, they offer many vegan options. (Below is a photo of their menu, taken about a year ago.)  The cafe also offers an array of coffee drinks and smoothies!

Our monthly meetups are a great opportunity to share good food, socialize, and exchange ideas about helping animals.

Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to be vegan to come along. Just keep in mind that we’ll be enjoying delicious plant-based foods together!

This is a pay-for-your-own meal event.