Forest Society Leads Effort to Support White Mountain National Forest Management Plan

The Forest Society is leading an effort in support of the White Mountain National Forest Management Plan. This effort is in response to a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Forest Service over its plans to conduct two timber harvests in the WMNF.  

Together with our partners at the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Northern Forest Center, the Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Audubon, the Ruffed Grouse Society, New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, Society of American Foresters-Granite State Division, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association and long-time advocate for sustainable forestry Charlie Niebling, we submitted an Amicus brief in support of the WMNF and the current management plan that guides al decisions the USFS makes over the stewardship of the WMNF. 

Our involvement here directly relates to our mission to “to perpetuate the forests of New Hampshire through their wise use and their complete reservation in places of special scenic beauty." We feel strongly that carefully considered silviculture allows landowners, including the White Mountain National Forest, to achieve multiple long term goals while enhancing forest resilience and forest health. 

Tying the hands of federal forest managers, as this lawsuit seeks to do, is irresponsible and ignores the complexities involved in managing a forest.  Our purpose in submitting the Amicus Brief is to allow the USFS to undertake both harvests that are the result of a lengthy public planning process.  

• Read the amicus brief here.
• Read more about our advocacy efforts related to public lands.