GORDON RUSSELL HONORED AS FOREST SOCIETY CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
This past weekend, New Boston resident Gordon Russell was recognized by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests as the organization’s Conservationist of the Year.
Among the most prestigious recognitions of the Forest Society, this annual award honors those exemplary people whose have worked to promote land conservation through many different avenues, often with significant sacrifice.
For more than four decades, Russell focused on the protection and stewardship of the Piscataquog River Watershed. The Piscataquog River was one of the first rivers in New Hampshire to be nominated and designated as a “Protected River,” thanks to Russell’s leadership in preparing the application. He also founded the Russell Piscataquog River Watershed Foundation that has helped land trusts, towns, and landowners protect key parcels throughout the region by providing grants to help purchase easements and lands. This work has helped conserve more than 3,000 acres in the region.
But even more impressive than these many accomplishments was Russell’s ability to inspire and engage others in similar conservation efforts.
“Gordon has inspired numerous landowners through his unbridled enthusiasm for sharing the wonder of the watershed’s wildlife and natural history,” said Forest Society Vice President of Land Protection Paul Doscher. “Many of those landowners went on to donate conservation easements.”
Russell was honored at the Forest Society’s 109th Annual Meeting, held last Saturday at Camp Carpenter in Manchester, NH. The Annual Meeting was sponsored by Benthien Associates and Cambridge Trust Company.
Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.