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
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu

News

  • 100+ Acres in Allenstown Protected Forever Thanks to Trowbridge-Bonk Family & Forest Society Supporters

    February 23, 2023

    The Bonk-Trowbridge family generously donated the conservation easement and will retain ownership of the land.

    Read more
  • Sophie Suggests: What to Read & Watch This Winter

    Sophie Oehler
    January 11, 2023

    Stuck on what to read this year? Check out these titles recommended by our communications coordinator!

  • Coming Soon to Creek Farm: A Better Visitor Experience

    Jack Savage
    January 7, 2023

    With support from the Portsmouth Rotary Club and other generous donors, Creek Farm will soon have new public restrooms.

Recreate Responsibly on the Water This Summer

Anna Berry
May 17, 2022
Recreation
Clean Water
A father and son, both in lifejackets, kayak together on the Merrimack River.

Whether you're taking part in our Merrimack Paddle Challenge, starting June 15, along the mighty Merrimack River or just planning to kayak in a local pond, it's important to recreate responsibly and safely this summer. (Looking for a new-to-you waterway? Search our Forest Reservation Guide by type of recreation, including "paddling"!)

Here are a few tips:

  • Always wear a life jacket or vest! New Hampshire law requires one wearable life preserver for each person in a boat. All children age 12 or under must wear an approved vest or jacket.
  • What to bring: PFD/lifejacket, water, food, water shoes, sunscreen and hat (high sun exposure), binoculars (optional), swimsuit (optional)
  • Plan ahead: Pay attention to weather and environmental conditions (forecasted thunderstorms, previous rainfall affecting river flow) and always err on the side of caution. 
  • Paddle smart: Paddle the upstream portion of your paddle first, so you can plan have enough energy to make it to your destination.
  • Clean, Drain & Dry: Before and after paddling, implement the Clean, Drain & Dry method to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Learn more from NH Lakes.
  • Recreate responsibly: It's wildlife season so during the dry summer months, it's important to learn and follow these guidelines to help prevent wildfires during your outdoor recreation. Recreateresponsibly.org also has water responsibility guidelines here.

Two people in a canoe on the Merrimack River.

More resources:

  • The U.S. Coast Guard app includes state boating information; a safety equipment checklist; free boating safety check requests; navigation rules; float plans; and calling features to report pollution or suspicious activity. When location services are enabled, users can receive the latest weather reports from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys as well as report the location of a hazard on the water
  • Wear the right life jacket is a guide from the Safe Boating Campaign.
  • If you're hiking before, during, or after your paddle, remember to hike safe and bring the 10 essentials: map, compass, warm clothing, sweater or fleece jacket, long pants, hat, extra food and water, flashlight or head lamp, matches/firestarter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jacket and pants, and pocket knife.

     

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