Forest Society Blog - News & Features

As winter settles in, New Hampshire’s wildlife relies on time-tested strategies—from hibernation to snow-savvy movement—to survive the cold. But while this season feels especially harsh, long-term data from NOAA show winters are warming overall, with real consequences for forest ecosystems and the animals that depend on them.

Winter forests are full of hidden microclimates, from snow-sheltered deer yards beneath conifers to sun-warmed tree wells in hardwood stands. As explored on Something Wild, these subtle snow patterns shape how wildlife survives the coldest months.

The mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympics aren’t foxes or cats—they’re stoats, known here as winter ermine. As explored on Something Wild, these elusive New Hampshire natives are small, fierce, and perfectly adapted to snowy mountain life.

Join Forest Society forestry staff and a UNH Extension Forestry Educator on Saturday, February 14 (9:30 AM–12:30 PM) at Dudley Pond in Henniker for a free, guided hike through an active timber harvest. Discover how sustainable forestry works, how trees are selected during a harvest, and how forests regenerate over time on this behind-the-scenes tour.

When beaver ponds freeze, winter opens rare access to places usually hidden—turning wetlands into temporary highways for people and wildlife alike. As heard on Something Wild, ice reveals a living landscape, from beaver lodges below to tracks and stories written across the snow.

Thanks to the generosity of more than 425 private donors, the Forest Society has conserved 230 acres of critical land at the summit of Mt. Kearsarge—some of the last remaining private inholdings within the state forest. This milestone protects high-elevation habitat and preserves the mountain’s scenic and ecological integrity for generations to come.

Winter in New Hampshire’s North Country invites quiet reflection — on snowy trails, forested ridgelines, and the sense of place shaped by generations of foresight and care. The landscapes we enjoy today exist because people came together to protect forests and open spaces, a legacy that continues to support wellbeing, recreation, and connection year-round.