Will Abbott's Lasting Legacy

April marks the retirement of longtime Vice President of Public Policy & Reservation Stewardship Will Abbott. But instead of saying farewell, we’re celebrating the incredible conservation work that Will has accomplished over his tenure with the Forest Society (and also because we’re lucky to have him staying on in a limited capacity).

Under Will’s steady leadership, the Forest Society has made tremendous strides in both public policy advocacy and in stewardship of New Hampshire’s forests.

“It’s been a privilege to work side-by-side with Will for the last 15 years,” said Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. “Especially during our successful fight against Northern Pass. Will has worked successfully — and tirelessly —  in the political arena on behalf of conservation issues important to us all in with remarkable skills. He’s brought both strategic vision and tactical solutions to his work at the Forest Society. He has pushed us and made us better across all aspects of our operations.  I’ve come to lean on him as a friend and trusted colleague.”

As Will writes, he had been thinking about retirement for a few years.

"Your body and mind have a way of letting you know when the right time comes to think about retirement. I started getting the signals a couple of years ago, and told then President/Forester Jane Difley that I’d like to target April 30, 2020. Last fall, when Jack Savage took over as President, I re-affirmed my plan with him. Little did I know then that a global pandemic would ease me out of my office at the Conservation Center before I was ready to leave voluntarily!"

Will joined the Forest Society in 2005 as vice president for policy and land management, working to develop and advocate for public policy positions at the local, state, and federal levels on various issues, and to lead the management of more than 50,000 acres of timberland owned by the Forest Society located in communities across New Hampshire.

“The stewardship of our 57,000 acres of forest land has helped set a standard that will make New Hampshire forests more resilient over time,” Will says. “Stewardship, the care and feeding of lands the Forest Society has conserved, offers opportunities and challenges. Forever.”

His legacy also extends beyond the Forest Society — he previously served as the executive director of the Mount Washington Observatory (2003-2006); the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (1992-2003); and the New Hampshire Land Conservation Investment Program (1988-1992).

Former Forest Society President/Forester Jane Difley, who retired in 2019 after a 22 years, says:

“Behind that calm exterior is a brain that never stops working. Will Abbott is an accomplished lobbyist, skilled at persuading politicians and agency leaders to support conservation measures to protect New Hampshire’s forests, landscapes and waterways. But his wisdom is in understanding that true change begins in the kitchens and living rooms of regular citizens who care deeply about the state’s natural environment. Will made this clear in the fight against Northern Pass and in the protection of thousands of acres of the state’s wildest, most treasured lands. His energy and quiet determination have made New Hampshire a better place. Will’s retirement is well-deserved, but I doubt we’ve heard the last from him; that brain of his just never stops!”

Will’s tenure at the Forest Society saw remarkable highs and lows — including the defeat of the Northern Pass project in 2019 after a nearly decade-long battle. Sadly, that same year, The Rocks in Bethlehem suffered a major fire and the loss of the historic Tool Building.

However, Will has graciously agreed to stay on in a part-time capacity to help the Forest Society write another chapter of The Rocks’ story: managing its rebuilding project. The project will expand our organizational capacity to provide land conservation and forest stewardship services north of the notches, to create new public educational and recreational uses of the land and facilities at The Rocks, and to sustain our commitment to the continued success of the Christmas Tree Farm, the maple sugaring museum and maple programs known as “The Maple Experience.”          

When he’s not continuing to serve the Forest Society’s mission, he plans to spend more time with his family, particularly his 17-month old granddaughter Ainsley, and enjoy a family seasonal camp in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Will’s responsibilities will be divided between the Forest Society’s experienced leaders, including Public Policy Manager Matt Leahy, Managing Forester Wendy Weisiger, and Vice President for Conservation Brian Hotz.