Forest Society Blog - News & Features

For Canterbury resident Stephen Rasche, New Hampshire's forests and wildlife are a daily reminder that truly wild places still exist. Through a planned gift to the Forest Society, Stephen and his wife are helping ensure that the forest they love remains protected for future generations—reflecting their belief that we are not owners of the land, but its stewards during our time here.

This episode of Something Wild explores one of New Hampshire's most remarkable natural events: the annual spawning of horseshoe crabs in Great Bay. Guided by New Hampshire Fish and Game biologist Beth Heckman, the team learns how these ancient "living fossils" support coastal ecosystems, contribute to lifesaving medical research, and have survived virtually unchanged for more than 450 million years.

Conservation doesn’t stop at the edge of the woods. The Forest Society works alongside policymakers, researchers, landowners, and partners to help shape the policies and public investments that protect New Hampshire’s forests, clean water, wildlife habitat, and communities for generations to come.

Every spring, thousands of white-tailed deer fawns are born across NH, adding to one of the state’s most abundant and influential wildlife populations. While deer are a familiar and cherished part of the landscape, their growing numbers can significantly shape forest health, native plant communities, and even the spread of tick-borne diseases.

This episode looks at the hidden impacts of rodenticides on owls, hawks, foxes, and other wildlife across New Hampshire. Learn how poisons meant for rats and mice move through the food chain, why simple prevention steps matter, and what we can all do to help protect the predators sharing our neighborhoods and forests.

The Something Wild team recently joined a micro-exploring outing at Willard Pond Sanctuary led by Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno. Discover how slowing down and exploring close to home can deepen our connection to the natural world.

The Forest Society has permanently conserved 53 acres in Goffstown, New Hampshire, completing the protection of the historic Sugar Bush Farm with the Shost family and safeguarding important farmland, wildlife habitat, and water resources in the Merrimack River watershed. This project supports the town’s goal of preserving productive agricultural land and was made possible through the generosity of the Shost family and a partnership of public and private funders.

As part of Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days 2026, Forest Society leaders met with New Hampshire’s congressional delegation and U.S. Forest Service officials to advance key conservation priorities, including Farm Bill programs, a proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program, and the value of open space. These conversations also addressed concerns about the Forest Service’s proposed reorganization, reinforcing the importance of strong federal partnerships and scientific capacity to support forests and communities.