Forest Society Blog - News & Features

The Forest Society has presented its 2026 President’s Award to retired U.S. Forest Service scientists Mariko Yamasaki and Steve Fay for their leadership in the effort to protect the Bartlett Experimental Forest. Their advocacy has helped elevate the importance of this 90-year “living laboratory” and the vital forest research it supports.

The Forest Society has named the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) its 2026 Conservationist of the Year. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, LCHIP has helped protect 250,000 acres statewide while preserving the natural and historic places that make New Hampshire unique.

Fred and Gale Tobbe of Northwood have been named the Forest Society’s 2026 Trish Churchill Volunteers of the Year. Learn how more than a decade of land stewardship—and 35 years of connection to the Forest Society—have made them dedicated ambassadors for conservation across New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s lakes are among the cleanest in the country, but invasive species remain a growing threat. Learn how Chinese mystery snails and spiny water fleas are spreading — and the simple steps boaters and anglers can take to help keep them out.

As National Public Lands Day coincides with the Forest Society’s 125th Annual Meeting, this article reflects on how generations of steady, everyday stewardship have shaped the New Hampshire landscapes we value today. It’s a reminder that lasting conservation often begins with a simple choice: to care for a place, and to keep choosing it over time.

New Hampshire could be in for a spectacular fall foliage season. Our Senior Director of Education Dave Anderson says a favorable mix of summer rain, warm autumn days and cool nights is creating ideal conditions for vibrant, long-lasting color across the Granite State.

Fall may be approaching, but New Hampshire’s best hiking season is just beginning. Discover simple tips for fueling and hydrating on the trail — and find inspiration to get outside with the Forest Society’s 2026 Five Hikes Challenge.

New Hampshire’s two species of flying squirrels are tiny, nocturnal gliders — and important indicators of forest health. Learn how these elusive animals navigate the treetops, what they eat, and how you can even help researchers track them.