The Forest Society's mission includes conserving land that supports New Hampshire's native animals and plants, so that wildlife remains a part of our everyday world. Visit this page to explore stories, projects and stewardship related to wildlife and habitat.
The Reservation Stewardship Department is responsible for the management of the Forest Society’s fee-owned lands (over 56,000 acres, the Forest Society’s largest asset). These lands are managed with a vision that is focused on the future, ensuring the biological richness of the state while providing economic and social returns to the organization, its members, and the public.
As we hunker down for the winter weather, we’re frequently too preoccupied with what is in our front yards that we tend not to notice what isn’t there. The snow and ice have muscled out the grass, and the chilly sounds of the north wind have blown away the dawn chorus that woke us this summer.
The Heald Forest Reservation in Wilton will have a timber harvest operation in the winter of 2018-19 that includes prescriptions to remove overstory trees to regenerate understory shrubs - specifically mountain laurel - that can greatly enhance cover for wildlife. The specific goal for improvin
Andy Deegan was filling birdfeeders and letting the dog out in the early morning gloom when he encountered what he thought might be “the biggest squirrel I’ve ever heard” scrambling up a large white pine just outside his New London home. It turned out to be a bear cub - an orphan.
Winter is always the lean time of the year, but this winter especially, biologists are expecting scarcity for all sorts of forest dwellers: birds, rodents and larger mammals.
Learn the common names of popular tree species on a gentle stroll. We will take a second look at leaf evidence, bark, buds, seeds, and more to assist in identification. Meet Henry, the Center for Wildlife’s non-releasable North American porcupine ambassador and learn about Henry’s favorite foods like black birch, oak, hemlock, maple, and of course acorns! Program and walk open to all ages.
When: Saturday, June 29, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Location: Creek Farm, 400 Little Harbor Rd, Portsmouth, NH
We have some amazing flying mammals that are skilled insect combatants. Did you know that the FDA estimates that these wonderful bats supply us with an estimated $3.5 BILLION in free insect control? Learn more about this native and natural mosquito control and their struggle with White-Nose Syndrome. Come meet some of the Center for Wildlife’s bat ambassadors! Optional backyard bat box building workshop follows. Program is open to all ages; parental guidance and additional fee required for bat box building.
What happened here? Whose footprint is that? Join Center for Wildlife and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests to answer these questions and more! Following an environmental education program including live animal ambassadors from the Center for Wildlife, we will take a hike and identify the tracks of our local wildlife as well as the evidence of several telltale wildlife encounters! By recognizing the wing-prints of an owl catching their prey, or the midden left over by a red squirrel's snack, we can learn so much about our wildlife's winter habits!
We started the day on Appledore Island, just outside Portsmouth Harbor. The Shoals Marine Lab, resident there, traces its history back to 1928. Among the biologists spending the summer there this year were Dr. Elizabeth Craig, Tern Conservation Program Manager.
