Land Conservation

The Forest Society is New Hampshire's largest and oldest land trust. Visit this page to explore stories related to land conservation in New Hampshire.

In 1885, the New Hampshire Forest Commission reported –

"Instead of cutting only timber that is matured, everything is cut to the size of five or six inches in diameter, and what remains is cut into firewood or burned at once, leaving a dreary waste. In Lancaster, the timber and wood are nearly all gone and the mountains are being stripped to their summits. Originally a dense forest covered our state. This magnificent forest has long since disappeared."

Regional Study Areas
Under the umbrella of New Hampshire Everlasting (NHE), which outlines the Forest Society’s vision for the state

Every year the Forest Society helps private landowners conserve thousands of acres through two primary methods:

Land acquisitions

Permanent land acquisitions become part of the Forest Society's reservation system and are managed for recreation, timber, wildlife habitat, watershed protection and scenery. The protected properties remain on the tax rolls, and most are open to the public. Our reservations range in size from four to 4,000 acres and are located in every part of the state.

Changing Landscapes

New Hampshire is unusually well endowed with forests and sparkling waters. We enjoy walking, hiking, picnicking, hunting, and working on our lands. Products from the forests and farmland nourish and shelter us. Open space sustains our economy and our culture.

The landscapes of New Hampshire help define and enrich our quality of life.

Since 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests has worked to conserve the state's most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources. The Forest Society is New Hampshire's oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization.