Skip to main content

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Get our e-news! Sign up

small nav

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Conservation Center
    • FAQs
    • Partners
    • Business Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
  • log in
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Main menu

  • What we do
    • Land Conservation
    • Education & Events
    • Advocacy
    • Forestry & Recreation
    • News & Features
    • Forest Notes & More Publications
  • Current Projects
    • Mahoosuc Highlands, Shelburne
    • Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign
    • Build Creek Farm Restrooms, Portsmouth
    • Mount Major Stewardship Fund
    • Recent Accomplishments
  • Visit & Explore
    • The Rocks
    • Conservation Center
    • Mount Major
    • Creek Farm
    • Forest Reservation Guide
    • Visitor Use Guidelines
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Membership/Renewal
    • Support Our Work
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe to E-news
    • Annual Meeting 2023
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu

News

  • Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Celebrates 100th

    Dave Anderson
    June 6, 2022

    The Renaissance for the MSG began in 1974.

  • Sunapee Lease Public Meeting

    Will Abbott
    September 21, 2018

    The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will hold a public information session on the proposed assignment of the State’s lease of a ...

  • Forest Society Comment on Mount Sunapee Decision

    Jack Savage
    April 6, 2016

    "Given our history in protecting Mount Sunapee, and given that we have not been in favor of the expansion, it's hard not to be disappointed in ...

Forest Society Seeks to Conserve Land Adjacent Mt. Sunapee State Park

Long-term Protection of Sunapee Resource and Character at Stake
Jane Difley
March 31, 2016
Mount Sunapee

In a letter sent to Gov. Maggie Hassan with copies to Executive Councilors, President/Forester Jane Difley wrote that the Forest Society would welcome the opportunity to explore the possibility of conserving privately-owned acres immediately adjacent Mount Sunapee State park.

"The Forest Society has had a century-long role in the conservation of Mount Sunapee," Difley wrote.  "In 1911, we worked with Herbert Welsh and many citizens to acquire and protect land that makes up much of the State Park, and then entrusted that land to the state in 1947. We appreciate that Commissioner Rose took seriously some of our recommendations in his decision on the proposed ski area expansion.

"That said, the Forest Society has never been in favor of expanding the ski area. We share the concerns expressed by many who care deeply about Mount Sunapee that an expansion will forever mar the character of the mountain, its rare and remarkable forests, and the community they define. 

"We further share the concerns of those who fear that the ski area expansion today would yield still more expansion at some future date, including private development that would have an adverse impact on forest resources.  Of particular concern has been the land immediately adjacent the State Park owned by stakeholders in the ski area lease (but not part of the expansion proposal.)

"While we recognize and respect the private property rights of those landowners, our history reminds us to think a century or more ahead as we contemplate potential changes at Mount Sunapee. The Forest Society would welcome the opportunity to explore with them the possibility of permanently conserving those adjacent acres through purchasing a conservation easement or the land itself.

"Such an outcome, we believe, would go a long way to addressing concerns about the long-term future of Mount Sunapee as one of the state’s great natural icons.  I hope you will offer your support for such a conversation. I look forward to speaking with you further about this idea at your convenience."

A copy of the letter can be read here.

Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial

Available on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Footer menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
Land Trust Alliance accreditation logo