Join us for a journey on the Merrimack River, from its formation at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnepesaukee Rivers in Franklin, NH to its outlet to the Gulf of Maine in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The Forest Society teamed up with conservation photographer and filmmaker Jerry Monkman the explore the central role the Merrimack plays in the past, present and future of our region.

The Merrimack River is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America. Mills in cities such as Manchester and Lowell harnessed the power of the river to become the largest manufacturing plants in the world ⁠— and left polluted waters in their wake. Thanks a series of actions — from the protection of the White Mountains to the Clean Water Act of 1972 — the Merrimack's waters are cleaner and better protected today. Remarkably, more than 80 percent of the Merrimack watershed is still undeveloped and largely forested. Yet, in 2016, it was named one of the most endangered rivers in the U.S.

Why is the Merrimack at risk? Can we save it? Find out when you watch The Merrimack: River at Risk. Following the film's premiere on New Hampshire PBS, the film is now available to watch online. Contact Ryan Smith for more information about scheduling a group screening for your organization or business with a member of our staff attending to answer questions.

⁠And help be part of the solution! The Forest Society and members of the Merrimack Conservation Partnership are working together to accelerate land and water conservation efforts throughout the Merrimack River watershed. Right now we are working on important projects — Morrill Farm in Boscawen, an addition to the Stillhouse Forest in Northfield and Canterbury, recent partnerships with Manchester Water Works — and many more.

Your gift to support the film will also support the Forest Society's Merrimack River program. Or, visit our current projects pages to make a donation to a specific project.

For more information, please contact Anne Truslow at atruslow@forestsociety.org