Skip to main content

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Get our e-news! Sign up

small nav

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Conservation Center
    • FAQs
    • Partners
    • Business Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
  • log in
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Main menu

  • What we do
    • Land Conservation
    • Education & Events
    • Advocacy
    • Forestry & Recreation
    • News & Features
    • Forest Notes & More Publications
  • Current Projects
    • Mahoosuc Highlands, Shelburne
    • Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign
    • Build Creek Farm Restrooms, Portsmouth
    • Mount Major Stewardship Fund
    • Recent Accomplishments
  • Visit & Explore
    • The Rocks
    • Conservation Center
    • Mount Major
    • Creek Farm
    • Forest Reservation Guide
    • Visitor Use Guidelines
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Membership/Renewal
    • Support Our Work
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe to E-news
    • Annual Meeting 2023
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu

What we do

  • Land Conservation
  • Education & Events
  • Advocacy
  • Forestry & Recreation
  • News & Features
  • Forest Notes & More Publications

News

  • Forestry Friday: The Rare Milkweed Garden at the Gardner Forest

    Sophie Oehler
    September 15, 2023

    In this Forestry Friday, the forestry team takes a trip to the Gardener Forest in Hollis to check in on a population of a rare species of milkweed. (Photo: Sophie Oehler)

  • "Good Forestry in the Granite State" is Being Revised — Take the Survey

    Wendy Weisiger
    August 29, 2023

    A steering committee representing landowners, conservation organizations, state agencies and the forest industry is guiding the process.

  • Hike, Pick, Eat & Repeat

    Anna Berry
    July 26, 2023

    It's blueberry season! Combine walking or hiking with blueberry picking on these five featured Forest Society reservations and easement lands.

What We Do

Forest Society staff pose on a rainy day outside the carriage barn at The Rocks.
Forest Society staff and board members gathered outdoors in July 2021 at The Rocks for a day of professional development.

Land protection

Every year, the Forest Society helps private landowners conserve thousands of acres through two primary methods: conservation easements and land acquisitions.

Easements leave the land in private hands and on the local tax rolls. The easements contain typical restrictions preventing development of the land, while generally allowing agriculture, forestry and private recreation. The long-term protection of these lands is ensured through the Forest Society's comprehensive stewardship program.

Permanent land acquisitions become part of the Forest Society's reservation system and are managed for recreation, timber, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and scenery. Reservations range in size from one to 4,000 acres and most are open to the public.

Download a PDF fact sheet on land protection.

See our current land protection projects.

Reservation Stewardship

As landowners, our mission is to protect the long-term health of our Reservations, while still providing low impact, high quality recreational experiences for the public wherever possible.  Sustainable forestry is a significant part of our management on most Reservations, while several are fully reserved because of unique natural areas, significant cultural resources, critical wildlife habitat, or to promote biological diversity.

Learn more about our reservation stewardship practices and access forestry-related resources.

Advocacy

The Forest Society was founded in 1901 to be a statewide advocate for the practice of sustainable forestry and the permanent conservation of lands with special scenic and natural resource values.  Today, a public policy staff of two registered lobbyists works with many volunteers and partners to represent the Forest Society and its members on issues of core concern before federal and state legislatures and agencies. 

Read about the current legislative issues we're working on and learn how to get involved.

Education

The Forest Society offers a year-round program of field trips, workshops, and special events – all designed to enhance people's connections with the landscapes of New Hampshire. From wild mushroom hunts and winter mammal tracking excursions to hikes on newly protected properties and discussion forums, we strive to bring the natural world to every age and ability level – in all parts of the state.

View listings of field trips and events currently available.

Land Conservation
Forestry

Forest Society Blog - News & Features

Land Trust Alliance Accredited Land Trust

Forest Society Invites Public Comment for LTA Accreditation Renewal

Naomi Brattlof
September 20, 2023

The Forest Society was one of the earliest adopters of these standards.

Land Conservation
All ages and stages enjoy building an owl box!

Lemonade Out of Lemons, Habitat Out of Trees

Sarah Kern
September 18, 2023

After Eversource cut down 40 pine trees along Little Harbor Road a few years ago due to safety concerns, the Forest Society's Creek Farm staff went to work by turning the trees into habitat.

Creek Farm
Volunteers
All News & Updates

Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial

Available on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Footer menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
Land Trust Alliance accreditation logo