CONCORD, NH Recognizing how many people thirst for bringing nature into their lives, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests has launched a new live stream video straight from the forest. Viewers can now follow the drama of watching a healthy white pine grow in its natural habitat.
"We've witnessed the benefits of connecting to the forest during stressful times," said Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. "And I admit that we've always admired and envied the nest cam that our good friends at NH Audubon offer.
"And while the NH Audubon cam is good, we think that drama inherent in watching a white pine add biomass cell by cell to reach for the sky will draw many to our new tree cam," Savage said.
"OK sure, the diehard birders may stick with watching a peregrine on its nest," Savage added. "But once you realize that a white pine in good sandy soil with adequate water and sunlight will grow 12 inches a year, and that you can watch that 24/7 in real time? That's compelling web viewing that tree huggers will not be able to resist.
"Just think about it long term," said Savage. "The tree matures, throws off the cutest little pine cones every two years onto scarified soil, and then BAM! Regeneration. I mean, wow."
The link to the tree cam can be found here.
The Forest Society is not revealing the location of the tree cam, but will only say that it is on a certified tree farm, is well taken care of, and won't be overly stressed as a result of being on camera.
"No lights at night, for example," Savage assured. "That makes the growth a little harder to see when it's dark, but during a full moon it will be fine. Time will tell, but we don't think the tree cam ratings will be affected significantly by occasional pitch-black darkness."
Reached for comment, NH Audubon President Doug Bechtel was diplomatic.
"We love the Forest Society," Bechtel said, "We partner with them all the time and they are pretty innovative. Or at least they know when to copy a good idea. I predict their ratings will improve when a bird nests in that tree."
Savage said his only real concern about the venture is that hardworking staff members and volunteers will be so enamored of the new tree cam that they will be distracted and addicted to watching, instead of advancing the mission of the Forest Society through new land protection projects, practicing exemplary stewardship of the Forest Society's 190 Forest Reservations, and regularly monitoring more than 750 conservation easements.
"We've got a lot going on, and let's face it, we can't have our board of trustees focused on the tree cam all the time," Savage said. "We need them thinking broadly about our mission and how to meet the challenges of keeping forests as forests in the 21st century.
"I do worry that we won't solve climate change if too many people are addicted to the tree cam," he said. "But, hey, it's worth the risk in order to offer a little educational amusement on a day like today,"