Forest Society Blog - News & Features

The Forest Society has presented its 2026 President’s Award to retired U.S. Forest Service scientists Mariko Yamasaki and Steve Fay for their leadership in the effort to protect the Bartlett Experimental Forest. Their advocacy has helped elevate the importance of this 90-year “living laboratory” and the vital forest research it supports.

The Forest Society has named the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) its 2026 Conservationist of the Year. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, LCHIP has helped protect 250,000 acres statewide while preserving the natural and historic places that make New Hampshire unique.

Fred and Gale Tobbe of Northwood have been named the Forest Society’s 2026 Trish Churchill Volunteers of the Year. Learn how more than a decade of land stewardship—and 35 years of connection to the Forest Society—have made them dedicated ambassadors for conservation across New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s lakes are among the cleanest in the country, but invasive species remain a growing threat. Learn how Chinese mystery snails and spiny water fleas are spreading — and the simple steps boaters and anglers can take to help keep them out.

As National Public Lands Day coincides with the Forest Society’s 125th Annual Meeting, this article reflects on how generations of steady, everyday stewardship have shaped the New Hampshire landscapes we value today. It’s a reminder that lasting conservation often begins with a simple choice: to care for a place, and to keep choosing it over time.

New Hampshire could be in for a spectacular fall foliage season. Our Senior Director of Education Dave Anderson says a favorable mix of summer rain, warm autumn days and cool nights is creating ideal conditions for vibrant, long-lasting color across the Granite State.

Join the Forest Society on August 8 for this special anniversary event offering rare access to privately protected conservation easement properties across New Hampshire through guided and self-guided tours, landowner conversations, and opportunities to explore the landscapes conservation helps preserve.

For Canterbury resident Stephen Rasche, New Hampshire's forests and wildlife are a daily reminder that truly wild places still exist. Through a planned gift to the Forest Society, Stephen and his wife are helping ensure that the forest they love remains protected for future generations—reflecting their belief that we are not owners of the land, but its stewards during our time here.