CONCORD -- March 25, 2016—The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) is looking for volunteer land stewards to help monitor and care for the nonprofit organization’s 180 conserved forest reservations.

 “Many people already love being in the woods, whether it’s for physical exercise or spiritual contentment” said Carrie Deegan, volunteer and community engagement manager for the Forest Society.  “But this program really lets volunteers connect with a piece of land closely, enhancing their enjoyment and increasing their knowledge about stewardship, conservation and the natural world.”

Volunteers are needed in Lempster (Diehl Forest, Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest) Grafton (Grafton Pond Reservation) Gilmanton (Tilton Forest, Kelley Forest) Lyndeborough (King-Hibbard, Fuller Forests) Enfield (Tucker Forest) Gilford (Winsheblo Forest) Westmoreland (Van Zandt Forest) Roxbury (Taves Reservation) Dalton (David Dana Forest) Stark (Kauffman Forest).

The Land Steward Program includes a comprehensive training curriculum that covers the history and organization of the Forest Society, forest management, boundary monitoring and navigation, recreation management, trail maintenance and community outreach.  New volunteers need to be able to complete this two-day training, which will be offered April 29 and 30 at the Brookwoods Conference Center kin Alton, N.H. Meals and dorm-style lodging are provided at no cost, but new stewards must make a two-to-three-year commitment to monitoring a property.

Once the training has been completed, the program is very flexible and volunteers can make property visits as their schedules permit.  Typical tasks include trail and infrastructure maintenance, general surveillance, boundary monitoring, removal and disposal of trash or dumped items, and engaging with neighbors and/or other visitors.  

If exploring beautiful places in New Hampshire, learning new skills, and getting your hands dirty outside while meeting other conservation-minded people sounds appealing, this may be the program for you! For additional information or a registration application, contact Jenn Seredejko at jseredejko@forestsociety.org or call 603-224-9945.  More information is also available on the Forest Society’s website at www.forestsociety.org.

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. The organization owns 54,500 conserved acres of land in New Hampshire and holds conservation easements on another 130,000 acres.