Cold is Cool

During winter months, cold is cool IF you're prepared!

Remember to:

• #Hikesafe and #recreateresponsibly (here are essential items to pack from NH Fish & Game and see the bottom of this page for some universal guidelines);
• Check in advance to see whether parking lots are plowed and respect roadside winter parking bans (here is a list of 12 Forest Society reservations with plowed parking);
• Be prepared for winter conditions and early sunset times!

OUTSIDE

• Use our Forest Reservation Guide to find a Forest Society property that is open to visitors (58 properties host marked trails but see the link above during snowy times for those that are plowed). You can also use our Easement Lands Guide to find lesser-known properties with public access. 
• Use our "Hike Local" guide, organized by region, to find additional trails on conservation land across the state owned by other nonprofits and local agencies. (Please check with the land owner about winter access!)
• Post your adventures with #coldiscool to social media and we'll inspire others to opt outside!

INSIDE

• We want you to stay connected with the natural world, no matter the temperature. We've hosted a number of virtual programs with speakers sharing their expertise on a range of topics, from maple sugaring to restoring wildlife habitat. Find videos of the recorded Zoom presentations here.
• Follow our Facebook page for videos or you can re-watch past content here, including virtual field trips and fireside readings. Past Woodshop Wednesdays woodworking projects with carpenter Andy Crowley are also archived.
• Learn from listening to our past Something Wild podcasts, mini-lessons on the natural world, and reading our Forest Journal and Forest Notes articles covering topics including:

Snow, Ice & Climate Change

Articles & resources:

ice effects on winter wildlife; Bare trees make like bears, hibernating through winter’s cold; Wonders to find in the winter woods; Bend but don't break- how trees survive Northern winters (and more on the topic here); Winter's frozen ice show.

Maple sugaring

Articles & resources:

Forest Society Senior Director of Education Dave Anderson was featured on NHPR's The Exchange and there's a video of a visit to his sugarhouse included in the post; plus, you can find curriculum on maple sugaring including evaporation and grading here; Something Wild on maple sugaring; Dave Anderson's Forest Journal article on sap running earlier than ever.

Wildlife & wildlife tracking

Articles & Resources: 

You can check out this Something Wild episode on wildlife tracker Susan Morse, read an article with tracking tips and tricks, or join a subreddit of people across the country interested in animal tracking. Look for habitat hotspots once the snow melts. On birds and birding: Why spring peepers are so loud; northern harriers are the rarest bird of prey; the warbler fallout; and going woodcocking and making memories.

Lesson Plans, Curriculum & Hands-on Activities

• At home Ag-tivities from the national Agriculture in the Classroom program. 
• Educational resources from NH Fish & Game.
• Learning resources from the Seacoast Science Center in Rye.
• Interactive research and reports from the Hubbard Brook Research Forest on ice storms, female ice researchers, bird migration, and much more.
• The Hidden Worlds of National Parks: Google arts & culture exhibit and interactive documentary on national parks.
• The Natural Inquirer has lesson plans for middle-schoolers.
• The American Museum of Natural History has extensive curriculum and Ology, a science website for kids.