Forest Notes, Winter/Spring 2026

THE PUBLIC FORESTS | A VISION WITH PURPOSE

N E W H A M P S H I R E ’ S C O N S E R VAT I O N M A G A Z I N E

WINTER/SPRING 2026

forestsociety.org

Experience The Rocks: Beauty, History, Home Wake up to sweeping mountain views, quiet mornings, and the timeless charm of The Rocks.

The Gardener’s Cottage—once part of the historic Glessner family estate—has been thoughtfully restored to welcome today’s visitors while honoring more than a century of conservation and care.

• Sleeps up to nine, perfect for families and groups.

• Step outside to trails, history, and peaceful landscapes.

• Your stay supports year-round education and land stewardship at The Rocks.

Plan your visit at brettonwoodsvacations.com/rocks

TABLE OF CONTENTS: WINTER/SPRING 2026, No. 324

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DEPARTMENTS 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Honoring 125 Years of a Shared Conservation Vision

4 THE WOODPILE + Forest Society Kicks Off 125th in Style + Happy Birthday SPNHF + Forest Society Celebrates Grant Awards as LCHIP Marks its 25th Anniversary + Legislative Update: Proposed Bill Targeting the Nonprofit Sector + Trees for Troops

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FEATURES 14 The Public Forests From cutover to conserved: the White Mountain National Forest and the people that saved it.

20 A Forest Society for the Future Meeting the challenges of our times with a vision that serves people and place.

Saving the Seedlings: Innovative Deer Fencing Solutions for Regenerating Forests

12 NATURE’S VIEW Christmas Tree Fields of Northern New England

22 PUBLIC POLICY The Case for Current Use

24 PROJECT IN PROGRESS Expanding Powder Major’s Forest in Madbury

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Honoring 125 Years of a Shared Conservation Vision

CHAIR Jason Hicks, Meredith

VICE CHAIR Drew Kellner, Brookline

SECRETARY

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Susan Arnold, Strafford

TREASURER Allyson Hicks, Concord

PRESIDENT Jack Savage, New Durham

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Philip Bryce, Deering Deb Buxton, Greenfield George Epstein, Silver Lake Peter Fauver, North Conway Don Floyd, Concord Jameson French, Portsmouth Patricia Losik, Rye

Jim Merrill, Manchester Amy Reagle Meyers, Jaffrey Michael Morison, Peterborough Elizabeth Salas, Weare Bill “Tuck” Tucker, Goffstown Tom Wagner, Campton Janet Zeller, Concord

STAFF Josh Abbott, Regional Stewardship Manager Ben Aldrich, Field Forester Frank Allen, Building and Grounds Assistant Sarah AlSamaraee, Stewardship & Forestry Administrative Coordinator Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education Kristine Arey, Program Director, The Rocks Emily Bartolini, Southeast Region Program Manager Brie Belisle, Regional Stewardship Manager Nik Berube, Maintenance Assistant Naomi Brattlof, Director of Easement Stewardship Adam Buxbaum, Christmas Tree Farmer, The Rocks Rita Carroll, Tree Farm Administrator Tony Cheek, Vice President for Finance Connie Colton, Administrative Assistant Linda Dammann, Development Assistant Carrie Deegan, Vice President for Recreation Management and Public Engagement Leah Hart, Land Conservation Project Manager Stacie Hernandez, Land Conservation Project Manager Brian Hotz, Senior Land Conservation Project Manager Steve Junkin, Field Forester Susanne Kibler-Hacker, Senior Philanthropy Advisor Allan Krygeris, Senior Technology Specialist Matt Leahy, Public Policy Director Margaret Liszka, Membership Director Kaylin Lustig, Concord Community Engagement Manager Nigel Manley, Senior Outreach Manager, The Rocks Ann McCoy, Development Manager Stephanie Milender, Human Resources Director Michelle Morse, Finance Specialist Carl Murphy, Facilities Manager Nora Noble-Christoff, Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator Cara Pearson, Membership Specialist Meredith Reed O’Donnell, Foundation Relations Manager Tina Ripley, Administrative Coordinator Ilissa Sargent, Regional Stewardship Manager Jack Savage, President Matt Scaccia, Recreation and Community Relations Manager Ryan Smith, Communications Manager Justin Smulski, Digital Marketing & Content Manager Kaity Stanton, Regional Development Manager – Seacoast Maria Stewart, Senior Executive Assistant Dylan Summers, Stewardship Projects Manager Laurel Swope-Brush, Land Steward & Volunteer Programs Coordinator Lauren Thomas, Administrative Assistant, The Rocks Anne Truslow, Vice President for Development Wendy Weisiger, Managing Forester Brenna Woodman, Director of Communications Harriette Yazzie-Whitcomb, Administrative Assistant

2 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

f we are to be New Hampshire everlasting, as we have set out to do for more than a century, we must be unfallen.

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests was enjoying its first year in existence. Governor Frank West Rollins was among our nine founders, eight men and one woman. Philip Ayres was hired as the Forest Society’s first forester, a newly established field of study. (Learn more about him on page 14.)

The singular goal then was to see legislation passed to establish a White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) across a landscape that had been largely cut over. In New Hampshire, only the federal government had the ability to aggregate that much land. The benefit of keeping those acres as future forests extended to all, including business interests. The need was urgent.

On March 1, 1911, the Weeks Act passed, named for Massachusetts Congressman John Weeks, originally from Lancaster, NH. President Taft signed the bill, and the national forest began to be formed. Today we count more than 750,000 acres part of the WMNF in New Hampshire.

“Because of the action and achievement commenced that day the face of New Hampshire—and of the nation— were changed. Or, to be more precise, were not changed, but preserved for us and future generations,” wrote Governor Walter Peterson in the Forest Society’s 1969 history, New Hampshire Everlasting and Unfallen.

“Imagine the rolling hills and coiled mountains of forested New Hampshire with no White Mountain National Forest, no organized responsibility for fire protection, no statewide forestry organization or state forestry department, no educational programs in forestry and conservation,” he wrote.

Yes, imagine. We can consider ourselves privileged to live and visit a New Hampshire that is today still 80 percent forested. Today the state, towns, and dozens of land trusts recognize the importance of our forests by owning and protecting more than 34 percent of land statewide.

The Forest Society itself, having helped secure the White Mountains, now owns and manages more than 70,000 acres and holds conservation easements on 140,000 more. Imagine if we did not.

What we cannot do, 125 years later, is imagine that our work conserving forests is complete. Though the Forest Society and New Hampshire forests have survived recessions, wars, hurricanes, pandemics, and political headwinds, permanent protection demands unending advocacy.

For New Hampshire to be everlasting, we must be New Hampshire unfallen, standing up for our mission. To learn more about our ambitious vision for the decades to come, turn to page 20.

We invite all to join us.

Jack Savage is the president of the Forest Society. He can be reached by email at jsavage@forestsociety.org.

WEB EXCLUSIVES

Project Update Mount Kearsarge (Warner) forestsociety.org/mountkearsarge

(OPPOSITE PAGE) JACK SAVAGE; (THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) FOREST SOCIETY (X3); COURTESY OF DAWNA MARIE O’DONAL

Project Update Morrill Dairy Farm (Concord) forestsociety.org/morrillfarm

Project Update Campton Bog (Campton–Rumney) forestsociety.org/camptonbog

“I thought the “Hike With Heart” theme that was chosen for the 2025 Five Hikes Challenge was so appropriate! I personally love celebrating and having the connection to New Hampshire’s forests. The forest is my HAPPY place, including my trip to Madame Sherri Forest (pictured). The opportunity to participate this fall gave me a purpose.”

–Dawna Marie O’Donal (Facebook)

CONNECT WITH US! facebook.com/ForestSociety

@ForestSociety

T ag #forestsociety on Instagram for a chance to be featured in a future issue of Forest Notes.

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests A nonprofit membership organization founded in 1901 to protect the state’s most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources.

Basic annual membership fee is $45 and includes a subscription to Forest Notes.

Editor: Ryan Smith Design & Production: The Secret Agency Printing: R.C. Brayshaw & Company, Inc. Forest Notes is printed on elemental chlorine-free Sappi Flo paper with 10 percent post-consumer recycled content. Sappi Flo is made from pulp purchased from suppliers who document sound environmental practices and sustainable forest management.

Permission is required for reproduction of any part of this magazine.

Copyright 2026 SPNHF. US ISSN: 0015 7457 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, N.H. 03301 | Phone: 603-224-9945 | Fax: 603-228-0423 info@forestsociety.org | forestsociety.org The Forest Society proudly supports the following organizations:

Cosponsor

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Member

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 3

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ING STAR This year, TED. join us for pop-up out special gat ings, meeting cel herings, and a big annual ebration this fall as the Forest we cel Society’s ebrate 125th ann iversary.

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FRONT COVER: 1. State Archaeologist Gary Hume (left) holds a map of

Monson Center in Hollis and Milford with then Forest Society Director of Outreach Dick Ober at an event promoting the conservation of the property.

2. In the 1900s, Philip Ayres, the Forest Society’s first forester, made the case for protecting eastern forests, including the White Mountain National Forest, through his dramatic colorized “Magic Lantern” slideshows. Crawford Notch (pictured) and other iconic locations featured on this page were a main focus of the Forest Society to protect from destructive logging.

3. The Forest Society’s first office was located in Boston at

5 Joy Street until it moved to 5 South Street in Concord, New Hampshire (pictured).

4. An Ayres lantern slide of Mount Washington.

5. A Forest Society Conservation Camp educator shows her

students how to determine the age of a white ash tree by counting the rings in the stump.

6. A forester admires a high-quality white pine sawlog in a managed forest.

7. An Ayres lantern slide of the Old Man of the Mountain resting high above Profile Lake in Franconia Notch.

8. Forest Society Education Director Leslie “Les” Clark shows the annual growth increment indicated by a whirl of branch scars on a white pine tree.

9. An Ayres lantern slide of Franconia Notch.

4 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

BACK COVER: 10. Students from Concord’s Broken Ground Elementary School plant mulberry trees on the Merrimack River Floodplain.

11. The Forest Society board (pictured) celebrated the organization’s 125th birthday with staff on February 6, 2026, at the Conservation Center in Concord.

12. A cutaway view of the Concord Conservation Center main

building, circa 1979, showing the angle of the roof pitch to maximize winter solar gain for passive heating and minimize summer solar gain for passive cooling/shade.

13. Loggers and foresters meet on the landing for lunch. Note the

vintage 1970s orange “Timberjack” rubber-tired cable skidder with double-diamond studded chains in the background.

14. One of the Forest Society’s most popular destinations, Mount

Major and its panoramic summit, provides sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Belknap Range, and the White Mountains.

15. Forest Society staff talk to hikers at the Mount Monadnock Eco

Center. A self-guided Forest Nature Trail loop in the surrounding woods included native tree and shrub ID during the summer season.

16. JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of

NH, and Jack Savage, Forest Society president, stand in front a plaque at the Welch Family Farm that honors the Due family and Jack, a once-enslaved African who gained his freedom and lived in Hancock in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

17. State of New Hampshire dignitaries attend the dedication

ceremony of the Philip Ayres Memorial plaque in Franconia Notch State Park.

CREDIT: LANTERN SLIDES (MILNE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES, DIMOND LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DURHAM, N.H.)

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EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP

Forest Society Kicks Off 125th in Style

Naomi Brattlof.

Board and staff members ushered in the Forest Society’s 125th year at Mount Sunapee in February.

While many of us have been celebrating a snowy winter here in NH, we equally know the excitement many of us are feeling as we head into spring.

The stewardship managers have been hard at work behind their desks all winter prepping for the busy field season ahead. Some of you may have even already heard from them as they begin to organize their field schedules.

While it may still be a few more weeks before we are out in the woods monitoring, we’d like to remind you that we’re here to answer questions and talk through any potential plans on your easement land.

OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR CE LAND!

From skiing at Mount Sunapee with staff and supporters to a special visit with the Governor, it was an exciting start to the Forest Society’s 125th year in early February.

The Forest Society marked the 125th anniversary of its founding date of February 6, 1901, with a celebratory ski day at one of the first landscapes it protected, Mount Sunapee. In collaboration with Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, deeply discounted lift tickets were offered to Forest Society members on February 6, and more than 40 people participated. “This was a great way for the Forest Society to thank our members, as well as to engage with others in the Sunapee community

about our long history on the mountain,” said Carrie Deegan, VP for recreation management and public engagement. The Forest Society first purchased 656 acres on the north side of Mount Sunapee in 1912, primarily to prevent the slopes from being clearcut by paper company owners.

Thanks to additional protection efforts, the “Mount Sunapee Forest Reservation” grew in acreage over several decades before 1,116 acres of land was transferred to the State in 1948 to establish Mount Sunapee State Park. “We’re grateful to New Hampshire State Parks and Vail Resorts for granting this fantastic engagement opportunity on our 125th anniversary!”

Landowners of Forest Society Conservation Easements: We are hosting an Open House event in August showcasing Forest Society easement lands throughout the state!

If you’d like to learn more or be involved in this event, please connect with Naomi at nbrattlof@forestsociety.org or (603) 856-4055.

—Naomi Brattlof Easement Stewardship Director forestsociety.org/steward-contact Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 5

THE WOODPILE—NEWS NOT SO NEATLY STACKED

Happy Birthday Forest Society!

Timber Barons for eons went on a spree.

They saw nothing more profitable than a big tree.

They cut down the trees for masts and for spars, Trees for the markets nearby and afar.

They never, oh never, were able to see The value of the forests because of the trees.

Trees for rail ties and trees for house beams— Sent them all tumbling down in the streams.

Potash for farms, so much they could earn: Not a thought for the future — Burn, Baby, Burn!

Clear-cutting the White Mountains was next on the docket: No protest could be heard above all the racket.

But in 1901 came the Company of Eight To save the White Mountains before it’s too late.

With wisdom and foresight, they were able to see The value that the forest had for the trees.

They formed the Society to preserve and protect, To research and educate, and to stop the neglect, To selectively cut for the health of a stand, And preserve habitations for all life on the land.

For a century and a quarter, to be just exact, We see the results of that visionary act.

Thousands of acres — the White Mountains, too — Are saved now forever to enjoy, and to view.

Hail to the Society for the seeds you have planted And for the unending gift to New Hampshire you’ve granted!

—Margaret M. Yatsevitch Margaret (“Daisy”) Yatsevitch is a retired teacher-educator and has been a member of the Forest Society for more than 35 years.

Illustration by Travis Andreasen

Save the Dates!

APRIL 22

JULY 14

SEPTEMBER 26

Mount Major Earth Day and VTOP Kickoff Mount Major, Alton

Forest Society Day at Lost River Lost River, North Woodstock

The Forest Society’s 125th Annual Meeting The Rocks, Bethlehem

MAY 15

Vistas and Vibes Outdoor Concert The Rocks, Bethlehem

Merrimack River Floodplain All Persons Trail Dedication Merrimack River Outdoor Education & Conservation Area, Concord

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AUGUST 22

SEPTEMBER 10–14

Monadnock Trails Week Mount Monadnock and Gap Mountain

For more events celebrating the Forest Society’s 125th anniversary, visit forestsociety.org/events.

Water-powered since 1856.

Forest Society staff and board members gather at the Conservation Center in Concord to celebrate the founding of the organization.

Craft & creativity since 1986.

Above: Executive Councilors Janet Stevens, Karen Liot Hill, Joe Kenney, John Stephen, and David Wheeler join Forest Society President Jack Savage and Governor Kelly Ayotte for a photo during the governor’s proclamation of the Forest Society’s 125th anniversary at the State House on February 11, 2026.

Right: The proclamation document issued by the office of Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire Executive Council.

Enduring elegance.

garlandmilltimberframes.com Lancaster, New Hampshire 603.503.0217

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 7

THE WOODPILE—NEWS NOT SO NEATLY STACKED

Forest Society Celebrates Grant Awards as LCHIP Marks its 25th Anniversary In December 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte joined the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Committee in announcing $3.5 million in matching grants to support 31 land conservation and historic preservation projects across the state. The grants will support efforts to rehabilitate 21 historic buildings and permanently conserve nearly 3,000 acres of farmland, timberland, and ecologically significant habitat in all corners of the state.

The Forest Society was awarded three grants that will support projects in Madbury, Nelson, and Springfield, together protecting nearly 1,800 acres.

Expanding Powder Major’s Forest in Madbury The Powder Major’s Forest in Madbury was initially conserved by the Forest Society in 2013, when it purchased 192 acres located near the Moharimet Elementary School. The Forest Society is working with a dedicated landowner to the north of the property to acquire and conserve an additional 133 acres that extends all the way to Hayes Road in Madbury. For more about the campaign to protect this special place, turn to page 24.

Land Conservation Project Manager Stacie Hernandez stands to the right of Governor Ayotte (back row, fourth from left), alongside other LCHIP recipients and executive councilors. connectivity and protection of wildlife corridors. Remote in character, the property encompasses four peaks over 1,600 feet in elevation, offering diverse habitats.

The land is currently managed for sustainable forestry resources. The Forest Society and the Harris Center for Conservation Education will work together on this project over the coming year. A grant of $200,000 from LCHIP will be matched through a significant collaborative fundraising campaign in 2026.

Conserving the Nelson Highlands in Nelson, Antrim, and Hancock

Pillsbury Ridge Forest in Springfield

The Forest Society is embarking on a pivotal initiative to acquire and permanently conserve the 650-acre Nelson Highlands property in Nelson, Antrim, and Hancock.

This acquisition is highly strategic, as it will be a major addition to the extensive network of conserved lands known as the Super Sanctuary. The Nelson Highlands sits directly in the heart of the Quabbin-toCardigan Conservation Focus area, which traces a critical south-to-north ecological spine from central Massachusetts through the Monadnock and Sunapee regions and up to the White Mountains. The property location—virtually encircled by existing conservation land—ensures maximum

Located adjacent to Gile State Forest, Carter Brook Wildlife Management Area, and other conserved lands, the Pillsbury Ridge Forest encompasses 994 acres in Springfield on the border with Grafton.

This remote tract of primarily northern hardwood forest has been sustainably managed for many years by a licensed forester. The high-elevation, rugged terrain on the property makes for great wildlife habitat, including crucial habitat for wild Eastern Brook Trout. The property is used by hunters, and there is a snowmobile trail that connects directly into the extensive networks of Gile State Forest and Carter Brook Wildlife Management

8 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

Area, enhancing local recreational opportunities. With a $200,000 grant award from LCHIP, the Forest Society has a strong foundation to raise the necessary matching funds and conserve this land as working forest and wildlife habitat. Additional fundraising to complete the project will continue through 2026.

“LCHIP grants provide essential anchor funding that allows ambitious conservation projects to succeed,” Forest Society President Jack Savage says. “They leverage diverse funding sources and unite partners in a common purpose: to conserve New Hampshire’s forests, mountains, waters, and landscapes for the benefit of all. We are also thrilled to be part of LCHIP’s 25th anniversary celebration. The accomplishments of this program will endure for generations.”

LCHIP grant recipients must match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with at least one added dollar and complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards. This year’s $3.5 million awards will be matched by more than $13 million from other public and private sources, infusing $17 million into the state’s economy through direct project activity.

Legislative Update: Proposed Bill Targeting the Nonprofit Sector House Bill 1293, legislation that would tax the land and buildings of nonprofit organizations, had a public hearing on January 29, 2026. If enacted as drafted, this bill could create significant financial challenges for nonprofits across New Hampshire, including organizations working to conserve land, provide public access, and serve communities statewide. The Forest Society testified in opposition to HB 1293, underscoring the unintended consequences the bill could have for conservation, public benefit, and charitable missions.

On February 2, the House Committee on Ways and Means voted to send HB 1293 to interim study. In the New Hampshire Legislature, interim study is a procedural step that pauses action on a bill to allow for further research, discussion,

and review—often used for complex or far-reaching proposals. While this action halts the bill for now, it does not mean HB 1293 has been defeated. The committee may revisit the legislation later this year, and it is possible the bill—either in its current form or an amended version— could be considered for a vote in 2027.

We will continue to monitor HB 1293 closely and keep you informed as developments arise. In the meantime, we extend our sincere thanks to the 786 individuals who registered their opposition to this bill. Your voices made a difference, and your engagement remains critical as this issue evolves.

Online To read the Forest Society’s testimony, visit forestsociety.org/hb1293

Trees for Troops Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, provides free, farmgrown Christmas trees to United States armed forces members serving in all branches of the military and their families through donations, sponsorships, grants, and the work of many volunteers. In 2025, more than 340 Christmas tree farms, including The Rocks in Bethlehem, donated a total of 21,117 trees that were delivered to 94 military bases across the country. This is the 12th year The Rocks has participated in the program, and in 2025 it donated 40 trees. Over the lifetime of the program, Trees for Troops has now organized the donation and distribution of more than 347,000 trees. Here are just some of the responses we received from service members this year.

My name is Vickie Greatwood, and my boyfriend, Andy, and I got [a Rocks Christmas tree] at the Trees for Troops event at Fort Story this year. Andy has been single the past few Christmases and didn’t bother getting a tree. This year we have each other and, since I’m a huge Christmas fanatic, it was a blessing and wonderful date to pick a tree and give Andy a little bit of the Christmas spirit this year! It’s also my very first live tree. It’s so beautiful and perfect! Thank you!

We are so grateful for the Trees for Troops program and even more grateful for organizations like the Forest Society that donate these trees! This year was our first time getting a tree, and when I read the tag that showed how far your tree had traveled, I knew this was our tree! Your tree made it all the way to Chesapeake, VA! It’s also pretty cool to see it came from Bethlehem. The tree is a beauty and we are so excited to have it in our home this season. Thank you again!

– The Neyman Family (Justin, Olivia, Luke and Cooper)

Consulting Foresters The Forest Society encourages landowners to consult with a licensed forester before undertaking land management activities.

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Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 9

IN THE FIELD

At the Forest Society’s Dudley Pond Forest in Henniker, loggers constructed a slash wall (inset) to protect a seven-acre tree regeneration area.

Saving the Seedlings: Innovative Deer Fencing Solutions for Regenerating Forests

By Steve Junkin

D

eer are preferential feeders, not unlike humans that prefer certain foods over others. If a deer had to choose between eating an oak sapling or a beech sapling, they will invariably choose oak first. Perhaps to a deer the oak tree is the “cheeseburger” of the forest, and the beech is the lowly “celery.” I know what I would choose.

This preference most likely stems from a difference in minerals and vitamins from one tree to the other. It has been documented that deer seek and feed on planted trees that have come from a nursery because the added fertilizer causes a higher composition of nutrients in the seedling. This can be frustrating to planting efforts, which is why you will almost always find some sort of fence or tubing protecting newly planted trees. Deer also preferentially feed on trees that sprout

10 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

from cut stumps because those sprouts are supported by a large root system that pumps greater amounts of nutrients into the stems as compared with a sapling that sprouted from seed.

Foresters don’t mind feeding deer some trees, but evidence shows that the composition of the forest is changing, and one of the culprits linked to this shifting composition is white-tailed deer.

Ironically, deer might be eating themselves out of house and home and creating a cascading effect on other organisms in the forest to boot. Because of their preferential feeding, certain tree species cannot grow beyond the height of a stump sprout or young seedling before being gobbled up.

In high deer density areas, we typically see more young American beech, black birch, and American hophornbeam growing in the understory and much

less oak, sugar maple, and white and yellow birch. Diversity in our forests is a key component to healthy and climate resilient forests and deer threaten this.

Searching for Solutions This article is not going to dive into deer management—that is better left for another time. Managing big game species is complicated and nuanced, but rest assured that biologists from NH Fish and Game work hard to maintain the right balance between the deer population and a healthy ecosystem.

Beyond population control, some regions to the south have tried fencing areas of the forest, which is extremely expensive and difficult to maintain. Even temporary fences are a big investment and a single branch falling on part of a fence can cause a costly breach. But where

Left: UNH Cooperative Extension Forester Steve Roberge (left) and Forest Society Forester Steve Junkin inspect a partially built slash wall.

Right: To prevent deer browsing, loggers created a slash blanket buffering the perimeter of the regeneration area at Dudley Pond Forest. there is a will, there is a way. It turns out there are fence and barrier options that already exist in our forests—they just need to be built. During a timber harvest, there is no better time to build a temporary barrier than when a forest is prescribed for a regeneration cut and the material that is needed for the natural fence is produced on site. Patch cuts and clearcuts are prescribed when foresters are trying to promote and regenerate early successional and mid-shade tolerant tree species. These treatments can produce a lot of tree tops and branches (aka slash) and additional low-value trees (aka pulp).

All this material can be used in a way that creates a temporary deer deterrent.

In other parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, deer browse issues have been occurring for many years, especially in Connecticut and New York, which have much higher deer densities. This winter, the Forest Society, working with logging contractor Chuck Rose, Inc., is experimenting with two deer-deterrent approaches—slash walls and slash blankets —that were successful in these states at the Dudley Pond Forest in Henniker.

Both approaches use low-grade material and slash but in slightly different ways.

We also tapped the experience of UNH Cooperative Extension Forester Steve Roberge, who procured the grant funding and assisted with the design and layout of the regeneration areas.

Slash Wall

The Future of the Forest

A slash wall is constructed around the perimeter of an area that was harvested with the intent to regenerate a certain mix of tree species that will become the future forest. In the case of Dudley Pond, foresters are aiming to protect a seven-acre site. The recommended dimensions of the wall are eight feet high by ten feet deep, exceeding the hurdling distance of even the finest jumpers of deer. The girth also increases the wall’s ability to withstand all types of weather conditions, including heavy snow.

Built properly, these walls can deter deer for five-plus years before they show signs of degradation and breech susceptibility. By that point, seedlings have had a chance to grow tall and out of reach of a deer’s mouth.

This spring, species including red oak, sugar maple, yellow birch, pin cherry, black cherry, and white ash will begin to sprout in the newly exposed soil at Dudley Pond Forest. Recently, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) added slash walls and slash blankets to its list of Conservation Practice programs, giving landowners the opportunity to apply for incentive payments to implement these techniques.

The Dudley Pond project was made possible through an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant awarded to the UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife Team. In partnership with UNH’s forestry program, the Forest Society implemented this project to create opportunities for public education and professional knowledge sharing, including tours that were held in January and February 2026.

The project will also generate valuable information on costs, feasibility, and the likelihood of successful regeneration.

Moving forward, the Forest Society will continue working with our partners to refine these practices in New Hampshire and develop recommendations to guide future implementation. The deer might not like it, but the trees surely will.

Slash Blanket Take the leftover slash material (e.g., tops of trees and branches) from a harvest and create a 100-foot wide slash blanket that buffers the perimeter of the regeneration area and, voilà, you’ve got a gnarly looking obstacle course made to deter even the slyest of deer. Upon completion, the blanket at Dudley Pond will be 11 acres, which will not only serve as habitat for birds and small animals but it will also ward off hungry deer. Four feet tall by at least 100 feet wide are the recommended dimensions of the blanket, so by the time the material breaks down the saplings have grown without pressure.

Steve Junkin is a field forester for the Forest Society.

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 11

NATURE’S VIEW

Christmas Tree Fields of Northern New England

By Nigel Manley

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hristmas tree fields in northern New England are working landscapes that support more than rows of different species of firs, pines, and spruce. At the Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks in Bethlehem, more than 40 acres of fields provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife. From insects that pollinate and recycle nutrients to large mammals that move along the forest edge, these farms are assets to the local ecosystems. Wildlife might not be present every day, but they are always shaping the health of the land and the quality and quantity of the trees grown for the holiday season.

The Structure of the Landscape Christmas tree fields are typically open early- to mid-successional habitats.

Compared with dense forests, they have more sunlight reaching the ground; grow a variety of grasses, herbs, and shrubs; and see frequent disturbance due to mowing, pruning, and harvesting. This creates opportunities for many species that cannot thrive in closed forests or in developed areas.

At The Rocks, more than 18,000 Christmas trees are growing in some parts of the fields while other areas are left unplanted and support native plants. Over time, these spaces become layered habitats. The variation in vegetation structure provides food and cover for birds, mammals, and insects throughout the year. “It’s wonderful to have so many different kinds of birds and animals present,” says Adam Buxbaum, Christmas tree farmer at The Rocks. “If you want a balanced ecosystem, you need diversity.”

Birds of the Fields Birds are among the most visible wildlife at The Rocks. Many species use the 12 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

fields for foraging, nesting, and protection.

A short stroll to the picnic table on the hill offers many opportunities to spy winged traffic in the air and on the ground.

Raptors American kestrels are small falcons that hover over open fields, scanning for insects, mice, and voles. These birds are efficient predators of small mammals—a benefit in tree fields, where rodents can eat seeds and chew on the bases of young tree seedlings. At The Rocks, a kestrel box has been installed on a tall post in one field to attract nesting pairs. When kestrels breed nearby, they help reduce rodent numbers naturally, decreasing pressure on vulnerable trees without having to use chemical control.

Other raptors migrate through the property as well, including the Northern Harrier, which can be seen riding thermals over the fields.

be seen building nests in the larger fir trees. Cedar waxwings will nest regularly in and around Christmas tree fields and chipping sparrows are commonly observed nesting within smaller, closely spaced conifers.

By maintaining a range of tree sizes and preserving wooded edges, Christmas tree farms such as The Rocks provide nesting opportunities for a diverse group of tree-nesting birds. Together with groundnesting birds and raptors, these species highlight the role of Christmas tree fields as functional wildlife habitat within Bethlehem’s working landscape.

Mammals, Big and Small Christmas tree fields also attract a variety of mammals, from small rodents to large herbivores. “While many animals continue to lose habitat, Christmas tree fields keep open spaces undeveloped where many species can thrive,” Buxbaum notes.

Ground-Nesting Birds Several bird species nest on or near the ground, especially in fields that are not mowed early in the season. In these fields, ground-nesting bird populations increase.

Species such as killdeer, woodcock, wild turkeys, and bobolinks benefit from taller grasses and undisturbed ground cover.

In addition to birds that forage or nest on the ground, many species use the Christmas trees themselves for nesting and shelter. As trees mature, they provide dense cover and branching structure similar to young conifer stands found throughout the White Mountains region.

This habitat supports a variety of treenesting birds common to Bethlehem and the surrounding North Country.

American robins are one of the most popular tree farm residents and can often

Deer White-tailed deer are common visitors to Christmas tree fields, particularly where open fields meet forest edges. Deer browse on grasses, clover, and the buds of younger Christmas trees. At The Rocks, there is little damage done by deer unless the winter is particularly harsh.

Porcupines Porcupines are familiar residents of early successional habitats and forest edges. They feed on bark, buds, and twigs of trees and shrubs. In Christmas tree fields, porcupines may chew on the lower branches of taller trees and completely denude tree seedlings particularly in winter months when other food is limited. While this can be frustrating for growers, porcupines are

From birds and snakes to mice and spiders, the Christmas tree fields at The Rocks provide important habitat for wildlife big and small. a natural part of the ecosystem, helping cycle nutrients and serving as prey for large carnivores such as fishers.

Bears Black bears are adaptable omnivores.

In Christmas tree fields, they are often seen foraging during the warmer months particularly on clover, which is planted as a cover crop around the trees. Bears will also dig into rotten stumps searching for ant larvae—a high-protein food source— and will break open ground wasp nests to eat the larvae within. Ground wasps and other social insects build nests in the soil as well as the trees, and their larvae are rich in nutrients that bears seek out, especially in spring and early summer after hibernation.

These feeding behaviors can disturb soil and plants, but they are part of the natural pattern of bear foraging behavior in New England’s mixed agricultural and forested landscapes.

ADAM BUXBAUM (X4)

Small Mammals Mice, voles, shrews, and chipmunks are abundant in and around tree fields.

These animals feed on seeds, roots, and insects. They are key prey for raptors and carnivores. In fields with thick grass and brushy edges, small mammals find cover from predators and contribute to soil aeration and nutrient cycling through their burrowing.

Insects and Their Roles Insects are foundational to the food web.

Pollinators, including bees and butterflies, visit wildflowers in field margins and fallow patches. Beetles and ants break down dead plant material, returning nutrients to the soil. Ground wasps, while occasionally disrupted by predators such as bears, help control other insect populations.

At The Rocks, fields left to grow seasonal wildflowers attract a diversity of pollinators. These insects not only support wild plants but also benefit the broader landscape by enhancing soil health and supporting higher trophic levels—birds and small mammals—that feed on them.

Habitat Management Practices Wildlife presence in Christmas tree fields is influenced by management decisions. At The Rocks, several practices support biodiversity while balancing tree production.

Delaying early spring mowing benefits ground-nesting birds. Leaving grass and herbaceous cover through the breeding season allows nests to be established and young birds to fledge successfully.

Strategic mowing later in the season still maintains access for farm operations without compromising nesting success.

Predator Habitat Structures Installing kestrel boxes provides needed nesting structures for these small

raptors. This supports kestrel populations and creates a natural control for rodents that otherwise could harm seedlings.

Additional perches and brush piles offer hunting sites for other raptors and cover for small mammals.

Conservation Buffers Maintaining un-mowed buffer strips along woodlots, waterways, and field margins creates travel corridors for wildlife.

These buffers connect habitats and reduce disturbance. They also slow runoff during heavy rain events, improving the water quality on the farm.

Christmas tree fields in northern New England are more than agricultural plots.

They are dynamic ecosystems where birds, mammals, and insects interact. At The Rocks, the presence of kestrels hunting from boxes, deer feeding and producing offspring, bears digging for insect larvae, and ground-nesting birds flourishing where mowing is managed thoughtfully all illustrate the ecological complexity of working landscapes. By recognizing and supporting wildlife needs, tree farms can contribute to regional biodiversity while producing trees for the holiday season.

“I love that in growing these trees and maintaining the fields, I get to be a part of this unique environment,” Buxbaum says.

“To see an entire community of organisms thrive is very gratifying.”

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 13

The Public Forests

By Marcia Schmidt Blaine

[Editor’s note: This story was originally published in Beyond the Notches: Stories of Place in New Hampshire’s North Country (Bondcliff Books in partnership with Monadnock Institute of Nature, Place and Culture at Frankin Pierce University, 2011); reprinted by permission.]

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he public discovered the White Mountains in the early 1800s, and arrived in ever larger numbers, attracted by the awe‑inspiring scenery and vast stands of forest. By the 1880s, the mountains echoed with the sound of saws as those bent on profit cut every tree, while tourists strolled along the verandas of the grand hotels and the intrepid climbed the mountain peaks in search of panoramic views.

Increasingly, the two cultures collided. Visionaries Joseph B. Walker and Philip Ayres awoke New Hampshire and the nation to the economic, spiritual, and environmental importance of the White Mountain forests. Their work made the White Mountain National Forest a reality.

Philip Ayres used lantern slides in the early 1900s to advocate for protecting the White Mountain region, including Crawford Notch. While photographic technology has evolved—from slides to black-and-white to digital—so too have the landscapes Ayres and others worked to protect.

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 15

Unchecked logging, as seen in Philip Ayres’s magic lantern slideshow, became a rallying cry for the Forest Society and other organizations to create a White Mountain National Forest in the 1910s.

Long before it was popular, Joseph B. Walker urged New Hampshirites to protect their forests. Born in 1822, Walker was a Concord , N.H., native who trained as a lawyer but turned to business and civic affairs. While he apparently did quite well in railroads and banking, his passion was farm and forest. He served the state on multiple committees, beginning in the early 1870s, investigating water power, agricultural lands, forests and forestry. As a member of the state legislature, he urged the state to investigate practices of loggers and called for forest management.

He served on the first state forestry commission, appointed in 1881, to investigate “forest depletion.”

Walker’s love of the White Mountains began when he was a teenager. In 1838, he stayed near the Notch in one of the Crawfords’ rustic inns, a trip he thoroughly enjoyed. This experience fixed the White Mountains as an area worth saving.

He admitted as much in a speech he gave in 1895 in which he said that, along with being impressed by the mountain forests, “possibly the impress[ion] may have been deepened somewhat by the society of the landlord’s two daughters, and also a little more by the abundant supply of mountain trout served upon his table.”

Walker’s wealth made possible repeated stays in the White Mountains and, given his fondness for forests, desirable. He was increasingly distressed by what he saw. “The desolate surroundings of another great mountain hotel” caught his eye in the early 1870s. “A few years ago the lumberman made his appearance, and half a century of persistent effort will be requisite to restore the charms which his axe destroyed in a single season.” Clearly the forests needed better management.

“What can we do to avert the dangers that impend, for I hold that we cannot afford much longer to do nothing…We are drifting towards a timber famine.” He called for a survey of New Hampshire’s forests to understand not only their commercial but their aesthetic character. Given the date for his speech, 1871, Walker was in the forefront of what would become a national progressive conservation movement. Even so, Walker was not alone in his concern for the forests. The first national park was 16 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

created in 1872 and the Appalachian Mountain Club, with its White Mountains focus, formed in 1876.

But most citizens believed in absolute economic freedom without regard for long‑term repercussions. Unrestricted logging continued as the pulp mill industry slipped into high gear during the 1880s. Pulp mills could use logs of all sizes and clear cuts became the norm. Loggers “swept away the forests” from the Ammonoosuc River valley and then moved into “the grand old woods” surrounding Crawford Notch and Walker’s summer retreats. The fires that followed the woodsmen left a blackened, gnarled landscape with only stubs remaining of the once virgin forest. Some individuals, including the head of Manchester’s Amoskeag Mill, the largest mills in New England, and hotel owners, spoke out against the destruction of New England’s watershed. The forests retained rain water and released it slowly.

Without a forest cover, there were increasing spring floods and fall droughts.

The devastating fires of 1886 gained the attention of many.

Walker used their attention. “As one now looks upon the two towering sentinels of fire-blasted rock which mark the opening of [Zealand] valley, there blazes into his mind, in letters of living fire, the terrible inscription which Dante in his Divine Comedy placed over the entrance to hell: ‘All Hope Abandon Ye Who Enter Here.’”

Walker was a practical man and accepted that recognition of the economic benefits of the forests could create support for forest management and thus forest protection where none then existed. He worked with the New Hampshire Forestry Commission from its beginnings in the early 1880s to advocate for what was then a radical idea: government purchase of private lands for a “public forest.” In an 1883 address, he suggested “the purchase, at low and established prices, by the state, of some of the denuded areas recently cut over, to be held and managed hereafter as public forests.” He had moved from supporting voluntary forest management of private lands to the belief that public ownership was necessary for forest preservation.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MILNE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES, DIMOND LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DURHAM, N.H.

Hampered by a lack of funding, the state did little; the legislature passed a few forestry laws and, in 1893, created a permanent forestry commission. But Walker was not discouraged. During this time (1883–1893), far more had been attained than was apparent to a superficial observer.

Many persons realized the value of forest property and the importance of its proper management. Because of the importance of New Hampshire’s textile industry, in later speeches he focused on the waterpower provided by the region’s rivers. “The greatest injury to be feared from a hasty and unwise removal of these forests is the impairment of the water power upon which many of our most important manufacturing interests are dependent.” Public ownership, he explained, could create a number of benefits: protection from drought, flood, and fire, along with the thoughtful preservation of the “mature” stands of trees, education of farmers to see timber as another crop, and the protection of the forests for tourism. Walker was an early advocate of what is now called multiple use.

Walker’s rallying cry was picked up by a small group of New Hampshire and New England citizens. As the forests disappeared, concern grew among tourists, hotel owners, conservationists, women’s clubs, artists, hikers, business and political leaders, as well as established loggers and logging companies who feared for future forests. This disparate group found that they had a common theme: save the forests. But how? Many thorny issues were tangled together in the preservation cause. Was it constitutional for the state or national government to purchase land for conservation?

Was conservation a worthy use of taxpayers’ money? Did clear cutting the remote mountain watershed areas affect water flow downstream? How could a poor state like New Hampshire even consider purchasing and replanting forest lands without help? Should the federal government be able to purchase control over lands now within the sway of state power and part of the state tax base?

By 1900, Walker knew that success would require a national effort and saw hope in the organized work of Gifford Pinchot in the southern Appalachians. But Joseph B. Walker was then 78 years old and beginning to slow down. His son and several other key political players urged the creation of an association to protect the White Mountains, “so as to present the whole matter effectively to the incoming legislature.

Unless this is done, the lumber barons will stand off action for another two years by which time their work of desolation may be advanced beyond repair.” The aging Walker wished that “some person in supremest [sic] sympathy with the spirit of these mountains and forests might appear” to take up the cause. The forests needed a new standard bearer.

Walker’s work inspired a small but influential group of state citizens who banded together in 1901 to create The

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Led by Governor Frank West Rollins, the group included leaders from the New Hampshire Women’s Clubs, the state agriculture department, the state legislature, the hotel industry, the state newspapers, and Joseph T. Walker, the assistant secretary of state for New Hampshire and the son of Joseph B. The “mission” of the Society was “to pro- The Forest Society’s first forester, tect the White Mountains, Philip Ayres. which are rapidly being clear‑cut.” The early Forest Society leaders recognized that they needed a trained forester. They hired Philip W. Ayres. In Ayres, Walker found a worthy descendant and the forests found a new and effective advocate.

Born in Iowa in 1861, Ayres had little exposure to the White Mountains before 1901, but he had a lifelong love of trees. He received a Ph.D. in history, worked as a reporter for a short while and then spent over ten years in progressive social reform organizations. But health problems forced him to leave his work. In 1899, he married Alice Stanley Taylor. A New England native, Taylor was an activist who worked in similar progressive organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was perhaps through mutual work with progressive charities that the two met. When Philip’s health declined, she persuaded her husband to return to school. At the age of 40, Ayres received a forestry degree from Cornell in 1901.

When Ayres was asked by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests to work for them, it is easy to imagine that his native New England wife was happy to return to her roots. But it was more than family connections or a desire to practice his new profession that brought Ayres to New Hampshire. Taking Walker’s work an explicit step further, Ayres accepted the job on the condition that they allow him to advocate for a national forest reserve. As he later phrased it, Society leaders “wanted to save at least a portion of [the White Mountains], and needed a forester. I suggested a National Forest in the White Mountains as the most direct and only adequate remedy.” This focused New Hampshire’s efforts to preserve the forests to a single remedy.

Ayres brought new energy, new ideas, and writing and forestry experience to the movement to save the White Mountains forests.

He knew that widespread public support was needed to create a national forest reserve. He needed to convince North Country residents, railroad owners, mill owners, foresters, loggers, tourists Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 17

By 1900, railroads had pushed deeper into the White Mountains to provide transport of the last remaining primeval timber in formerly inaccessible regions. Above, J.E. Henry’s Baldwin Engine #4 ships the remaining logs in a clearcut along the East Branch of the Pemigewassett River to the mills in Lincoln, N.H. from all over the country, and enough Congressmen of the importance of the White Mountains for the entire nation. In his first year, he listened to all those concerned with the Whites; he explored the forests, asked questions, and gained the knowledge he needed. He recognized that the movement was “an attempt to preserve what remain[ed] of the forest cover.” The steeper slopes of the White Mountains were most in need of protection. As he later wrote, “six large lumber companies, each with its logging railway, were stripping the high slopes of the White Mountains… the greater part of the forest remained on the ground as slash, that became very dry. In that summer, 1903, eighty thousand acres in the White Mountains burned over.” Like Walker, Ayres understood that it would be impossible to save the forests simply by stressing their aesthetic benefits. He knew economic reasons with interstate repercussions could gain the greatest support and provide lasting protection to the woods of northern New Hampshire. He used one of Walker’s points—the need to protect the headwaters of important rivers—as the main reason to protect the mountains.

The rivers flowing out of the White Mountains (the Saco, Androscoggin, Merrimack, and Connecticut Rivers) “supply power to more factories than any other waters in the country, and their even flow is of vast importance.” Destruction of the forests would lead to the destruction of New England’s economy.

Ayres ignited the movement with national action. He addressed Congress for the first time in 1902. He wrote articles in the Concord, Manchester, Boston, and New York newspapers urging readers to contact their congressmen to protect the scenic and economic facets of the White Mountains. In December 1903, Senator Jacob H. Gallinger and Representative Frank D. Currier, both of New Hampshire, introduced the first White Mountain forest “reservation” bill into Congress. Over the next several years, it moved slowly through various committees and hearings.

The movement to create a national forest in New Hampshire faced some strong opposition. While the large mill owners in 18 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

Berlin supported the move, sawmill operators claimed that protecting the forests meant putting them out of business and destroying the economy of northern New Hampshire. Western congressmen would not vote for the purchase of private lands by the national government fearing that the government would take over lands in their states. One senator who opposed the law at the time called proposed legislation “the most radical piece of legislation that has ever been proposed in the Congress of the United States.” The leader of the southern national forest movement, U.S. Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot, fought against a northern forest reserve, believing Congress would not approve both. Distinguished army engineer Hiram Chittenden said that there was no “vital relationship between forests and water flow.” Willis L. Moore, chief of the U.S. Weather Bureau, agreed. Anti‑tax and property rights advocates simply fought the idea. Even strong preservationists, such as John Muir, opposed the idea of “multiple use” of forests.

Along with his political savvy, Ayres was a persuasive speaker.

He created an educational campaign to teach people about the economic importance of the forests. He convinced powerful individuals to declare publicly that the White Mountains were worthy of national attention and the taxpayers’ money. In his 1907 annual message, President Theodore Roosevelt declared: “We should acquire in the Appalachian and White Mountain regions all the forestlands that it is possible to acquire for the use of the Nation. These lands, because they form a National asset, are as emphatically national as the rivers which they feed.”

Others joined him in voicing their support: T. Jefferson Coolidge of the Amoskeag Mills, Orton Brown of Brown Paper Company, and New Hampshire’s national political leadership along with most of New England’s political leadership from governors through representatives and senators. Ayres used their support as a way to convince others to support the movement.

He wrote a pamphlet specifically for members of Congress titled “Reasons for a National Forest Reservation in the White Mountains.” He gave lectures everywhere and anywhere, and showed his audiences the destruction of the White Mountains. “[SPNHF] has worked on… economic ground[s] almost entirely, because this is the basis for action at Washington. … It has not forgotten the need also of protecting the scenic beauty of the White Mountains.”

It was his ability to reach all constituents that gradually made a difference. He increased the already diverse coalition by getting the support of the National Women’s Clubs, the New England Boards of Trade, the American Society of Civil Engineers, almost all forestry associations across the nation, and many other individuals concerned with forest lands, logging, tourism, and business. Even the American Pulp & Paper Association supported a White Mountains national forest. Numerous chambers of commerce, several state legislatures, and most down‑river industries supported—and contributed—to the cause. Articles

appeared in major newspapers advocating the creation of a national forest in the White Mountains. Yet Congress did not pass the bill.

Philip Ayres, along with the president of the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Secretary of the Massachusetts Forestry Association, met with national representatives from all the New England states in Boston on Halloween, 1906. John W. Weeks was then a freshman Congressman representing the 12th District of Massachusetts. More importantly, Weeks was a native and summer resident of Lancaster in northern New Hampshire.

Weeks promised to help guide the idea in Congress.

In the summer of 1907, fires blanketed the Whites as over 35,000 acres were lost. Destruction of the forest continued, prompting Ayres to write, “on one of the branches of the Pemigewasset, the East Branch, in Lincoln, forest destruction has gone far. The operating company does not expect any future return after the primeval forest is gone. It cuts clean and has no care for the future of the forest. From 50,000 to 75,000 acres are already laid bare; on most of it nearly every tree has been cut. …It has become almost literally true that, where until recently stood a primeval forest, after cutting there remains standing scarcely a pole on which a bird can build its nest.”

In 1908, Congressman Weeks was appointed to the Agricultural Committee, the committee that handled the national forest bills, and he began public support for the creation of a national forest in the White Mountains. He rewrote the national forest bill, combining forest preservation with watershed protection and fire control. He “organized a successful campaign in the House” where the bill had been repeatedly defeated. Political foes of the progressives worked furiously to try to defeat the bill. The powerful Speaker of the House, Joe Cannon, who had promised “not one cent for scenery,” repeatedly killed it. Finally, in March 1910, the House revolted and removed Cannon’s control over the Rules Committee. Weeks’ bill reached the House floor soon after and passed June 24. In January 1911, Ayres went to work again, issuing “An Appeal” for public assistance to pass the “White Mountain Forest Bill.” “The Weeks Bill for national forests in the White Mountains and Southern Appalachians is not making the progress in Congress that is necessary if it is to pass at this session of Congress, or before the White Mountains are denuded far more severely than they now are. The Senate has passed this measure three times in different forms, but is now waiting for action by the House. The House that passed this bill a year ago, in the previous Congress, is now engrossed in other matters. Where are the New England Congressmen?” The public responded with a flood of mail to their representatives and urged more aggressive action. The House and Senate versions were reconciled shortly thereafter and voted through Congress. The Weeks Act became law when President Taft signed it on March 1, 1911.

Joseph B. Walker lived to see the passage of the bill. We can only imagine what it meant to him. He died in January

Forest fires in the early 1900s, like this one on Owl’s Head in the now designated Pemigewasset Wilderness in the White Mountain National Forest, devasted thousands of acres of forest land, causing run off and water quality issues downstream.

8, 1913, at the age of 90. Ayres called Walker “The Founder of the Forestry Movement in the State” and understood that he continued Walker’s work. In many ways, Philip W. Ayres’s work was just beginning. He worked for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, identifying pieces of land that should be part of the new national forest and lobbying for them until he left the Society in 1935. He died in 1945, knowing that the White Mountain National Forest protected “a little more than one thousand square miles.”

In a 1913 article in The New York Times, the author wrote that “the new preserve will thus be of great economic advantage as well as afford permanent pleasure to the thousands who annually visit the White Hills. Too much praise cannot be given to the long‑continued efforts of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and of its Forester, Mr. Philip W. Ayres, for originating the plan of the National Eastern Reserve and for stimulating official enthusiasm in the project.” The author did not know that the “long‑continued efforts” were actually much longer than he recognized and took the leadership of two men: Philip W. Ayres and Joseph B. Walker. Walker, now known as the “‘father’ of New Hampshire forestry,” first recognized that the forest should be conserved as a public resource. He created the momentum needed to recognize the White Mountains as an asset to be safeguarded.

Philip Ayres picked up his standard as it dipped and raised it high. He argued that the Whites were “a national treasure, and as such, should be protected by federal law.” Both Ayres and Walker dedicated their lives to the northern forests. Their efforts continue to benefit the nation and the North Country today.

Marcia Schmidt Blaine is a professor emerita of history. She earned her B.A. from the College of William and Mary, a Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire, and taught at Plymouth State University before her retirement in 2021. She continues to research, write, and serve on the boards of New Hampshire Humanities and the New Hampshire Historical Society.

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A Forest Society for the Future

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his year, 2026, marks not only the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, but also the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. We have existed for half the life of the nation.

The work of the Forest Society is in many ways quintessentially American—to ensure that our natural resources thrive for the benefit of all, balancing use and protection, with no barrier to access. As an organization, we rely on participation and engagement—we are only as strong as the people empowered to connect with the land, who become good stewards, take a stand when needed, and support conservation in the ways they are able. This is all part of the legacy we inherited and the one we will leave to future generations.

The Forest Society’s mission is as important today as it was in 1901. Our challenges are different, but our values remain constant, and we have 125 years of experience and success to propel us into the next 125. What is the New Hampshire we all hope to see in 2151?!

MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME As anyone who has worked in the woods over the past generation can tell you, New Hampshire’s forests are changing.

Climate change is reshaping our forests, waters, and communities.

Erratic temperature patterns, extreme storms, evolving pests and disease, changing wildlife behavior, and a range of development trends are stressing natural systems across the state. While forest conservation and management alone won’t reverse the effects of a warming climate, forests provide a powerful and measurable positive impact by producing clean water and air, storing carbon, mitigating flood damage, sustaining wildlife, supplying durable forest products, and giving people places to recreate, learn, 20 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

and bolster their wellness. The Forest Society’s long experience developing practical tools, collaborative strategies, and on-theground solutions positions us to meet this moment.

A VISION ROOTED IN CONNECTION AND RESILIENCE We are guided by a vision of New Hampshire that includes interconnected lands and waters that strengthen New Hampshire’s communities—ecologically, economically, and socially. This includes forests managed for resilience and diversity, recreational infrastructure that is sustainable and welcoming, and learning opportunities that deepen our understanding of and engagement with the natural world.

THE WORK CONTINUES—AND IT BELONGS TO ALL OF US One hundred twenty-five years of conservation did not happen by accident. The New Hampshire landscape that we all enjoy today is the product of many hands working together, doing the work every day. It happened because people cared— neighbors, landowners, volunteers, members, and partners who understood that forests matter and that perpetuating them is a shared responsibility.

Together, we have conserved remarkable places and built a foundation that benefits New Hampshire every day. But the pace of change is accelerating. Climate impacts, development pressure, and shifting needs demand action now—guided by experience, science, and a long-term commitment to the land.

The good news is progress happens when people act together.

As we begin our next chapter, we hope you will stay engaged and encourage others to join in caring for New Hampshire’s forests.

The challenges ahead are real—and so is the opportunity. What we do next, together, will shape the forests of tomorrow.

OUR PRIORITIES The heart of the Forest Society’s conservation work is protecting land, caring for it over time, engaging people, and working together to ensure forests thrive in New Hampshire for generations to come. This work is grounded in four key priorities:

Conserving forests at scale and working with landowners and partners to conserve interconnected, biologically diverse landscapes.

By 2040, our goal is to help safeguard 40 percent of New Hampshire—an additional 400,000 acres—supporting clean water, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, working forests, and public access for all. In 2026, the Forest Society owns and manages about 70,000 acres across the state. By 2040, our goal is to own 100,000 acres to be managed for multiple uses, including eco-reserves, recreation lands, and working forests.

Excelling in stewarding the lands we care for.

Through science-based forestry, habitat restoration, and sustainable recreational management, we are committed to strengthening forest health and resilience, keeping these lands productive, vibrant, and adaptable as the climate changes. We will continue to improve the recreational experience on our lands while ensuring ecological integrity.

We believe that the Forest Society must continue to lead in exemplary management, applying and sharing our expertise in forest and recreation management while always incorporating new technologies and best practices.

Engaging and educating the next generation of foresters, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, scientists, and advocates to care for these forests.

Our lands provide places for recreation, learning, and wellness, and our programs bring people of all ages into the forest to experience and delight in its value firsthand.

Volunteers, students, and community members are essential members of our extended family, helping to carry forward a shared ethic of stewardship that ensures forests remain central to life in New Hampshire.

Advocating for forests and the incentives that help keep them as forests.

Working with towns, landowners, land trusts, agencies, and partners, we will advance effective conservation and climate policy, defend the integrity of conserved lands, and support collaborative solutions that reflect both local values and statewide needs.

Together, these priorities will guide every decision the Forest Society makes to reflect a holistic approach that balances conservation, stewardship, engagement, and advocacy.

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 21

PUBLIC POLICY

The Case for Current Use

By Matt Leahy

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Moose Mountains Reservation in Middleton and Brookfield. the public interest to prevent the loss of open space due to property taxation at values incompatible with open space usage. Open space land imposes few if any costs on local government and is therefore an economic benefit to its citizens.”

Remarkably, although written more than 50 years ago, that preamble is still wholly relevant.

Despite those far-reaching benefits, Current Use has its critics who claim it prevents needed development or it unfairly shifts the tax burden onto other segments of the population. During the 2026 New Hampshire Legislative session, the Forest Society saw another attack on the program.

House Bill 1691 proposed to make so many confusing and complicated changes to Current Use that, if enacted, would have fundamentally gutted its purpose.

Fortunately, advocates for the Current Use program were able to defeat that bill.

As Governor Ayotte noted in her 2025 budget address, “Our natural beauty as a state is both one of our points of pride and the bedrock of our unique quality of life. To

me, it’s pretty much common sense to say that our North Country, our Lakes Region, our beautiful open spaces, shouldn’t be scarred by poorly envisioned projects that detract from our quality of life.”

We agree. Advocating for the successful establishment of Current Use stands as one of the most significant achievements of the Forest Society’s 125-year history. As we look to the next 125 years, ensuring the program continues will be one of our most significant responsibilities yet.

Matt Leahy is the public policy director for the Forest Society.

Online: To read the report, The Benefits of New Hampshire’s Open Space, visit forestsociety.org/document/benefitsnhs-open-space-full-report.pdf.

To read the Forest Society’s testimonial in opposition to House Bill 1691, visit forestsociety.org/currentusetestimonial.

JERRY MONKMAN/ECOPHOTOGRAPHY

hen one looks over the timeline of the Forest Society’s 125-year history, the contributions the organization has made to conserving the landscapes in our state are readily apparent. The campaigns it’s led to protect the White Mountain National Forest and many iconic state parks, including Mount Sunapee and Mount Monadnock, are certainly notable. But perhaps the most far-reaching campaign the Forest Society has led is the establishment of the Current Use Program in New Hampshire, the law that encourages the preservation of undeveloped farm and forest lands.

As noted in past stories about Current Use in Forest Notes, it is true we can only speculate about what New Hampshire would look like if the program did not exist. However, and as illustrated in the 2025 report The Benefits of New Hampshire’s Open Space, we do know that open space can make communities healthier and more resilient by protecting drinking water, preventing and controlling floods, providing drought resistance, and improving air quality. Open space also supports a strong economy. Forests cover most of the state of New Hampshire and are the foundation of the forest-based economy. And open space supports a robust tourism and outdoor recreation economy.

The purpose of this program is succinctly stated in the New Hampshire Current Use law RSA 79-A:1 (enacted July 1, 1973): “It is hereby declared to be in the public interest to encourage the preservation of open space, thus providing a healthful and attractive outdoor environment for work and recreation of the state’s citizens, maintaining the character of the state’s landscape, and conserving the land, water, forest, agricultural, and wildlife resources. It is further declared to be in

Together Making New Hampshire a Great Place to Live, Work, and Explore We thank our business partners for their generous support during our 125th anniversary year.

Summit Circle ($5,000 and up)

Partner (continued)

Matching Gift Companies

Athletic Brewing Company Garnet Hill Inc. Mainstay Technologies Merrimack County Savings Bank Nathan Wechsler & Company Seaboard International Forest Products, LLC Whalen Public & Media Relations, LLC

Milestone Construction LLC The Music Mill NH Conservation Real Estate Pine Springs R.M. Piper, Inc. RSP Studio Leigh B. Starer, LLC Whole Wealth Management, LLC

ADP, LLC Advent International American Biltrite, Inc. Amgen, Inc. Bank of America Bank of New Hampshire Boston Scientific Bristol-Myers Squibb Company The Cigna Group Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc. Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP Dell, Inc. Erie Insurance Gartner, Inc. Gilead Sciences, Inc. Google, LLC Gradient Hearst Communications, Inc. Intel Corporation Jacobs Solutions, Inc. Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. Johnson & Johnson Liberty Mutual Insurance Lincoln Financial Group Macy’s, Inc. Manulife Financial Corporation Microsoft Corporation Motorola Solutions, Inc. NetApp, Inc. Prudential Financial, Inc. Raytheon Technologies Corporation Shell Oil Company Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. The Travelers Companies, Inc. UnitedHealth Group Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. VMware, Inc.

Trustees’ Circle ($2,500 to $4,999) Badger, Peabody & Smith Realty, Inc. Collette Travel Mallory Portraits Newburyport Bank Northeast Delta Dental The Secret Agency, LLC

President’s Circle ($1,000 to $2,499) Aesthetic Dental Center BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC Bensonwood & Unity Homes Chinburg Properties EOS Research Ltd. Frog Hollow Forestry Lumbard & Kellner, LLC Maxfield Real Estate Meredith Village Savings Bank New England Private Wealth Advisors, LLC Northland Forest Products, Inc. Ransmeier & Spellman, P.C. Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, Inc. Upstream Tech W.S. Badger Company, Inc.

Steward ($750 to $999) Law Office of Leonard D. Harden

Partner ($500 to $749) Arcomm Communications Corporation Blue Loon Bakery R.C. Brayshaw & Company Blue Mountain Forest Association Brookdale Fruit Farm Capitol Craftsman, LLC Durgin and Crowell Lumber Co., Inc. Half Moon Enterprises The Lyme Timber Company LP Meadowsend Timberlands Limited

Colleague ($250 to $499) Ancient Traditions Natural Medicine, LLC Banyan Global Bittner Property Management Blaktop, Inc. Dog Cove Corp.

Dublin Road Tap Room & Eatery Evergreen Forest Management LLC Forest Land Improvement, Inc. Frost Pond Carpentry Gideon Asen LLC Grappone Management Company Great Brook Veterinary Clinic Hammond Lumber Company Hancock Lumber H.L. Turner Group, Inc Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC Kel-Log, Inc. Kozikowski Properties, LLC Law Office of Michael M. Ransmeier, PC Mulligan Forest, LLC Northeast Forest Services Office of Michael M. Ransmeier, PC Old Mill Properties, LLC Pelletier Realty Group Pembroke Automotive Services Portsmouth Paddle Board Company, LLC Proctor Hill Forestry and Logging, LLC REI Co-op Bedford Rek’-Lis Brewing Company Robbins Lumber Inc. Seven Birches Winery Tri-State Iron Works Twin State Sand and Gravel Co., Inc. Underhill Acres, Inc. Viking Forest Products Winnipesaukee Chocolates Zachary Berger Associates, Ltd.

We are grateful to the many businesses that support the Forest Society with gifts of less than $250.

The Forest Society…Where Conservation and Business Meet For information about business memberships, sponsorships, or to initiate a gift membership program for your clients or employees, please contact Anne Truslow at (603) 224-9945 or atruslow@forestsociety.org.

Winter/Spring 2026 FOREST NOTES | 23

PROJECT IN PROGRESS

Woods, Water, and Wildlife in the Great Bay Watershed:

Expanding Powder Major’s Forest in Madbury

I

n 2016, the Forest Society mounted an ambitious campaign to conserve Powder Major’s Farm and Forest in Madbury, Lee, and Durham, raising $2.25 million to protect nearly 300 acres in total in 2017. Today, this land offers a network of hiking, biking, and riding trails near Moharimet School and Tibbetts Field on Route 155 in Madbury. The property includes a mix of habitat types and frontage along the Oyster River and Dube Brook, supporting wildlife and water quality, and connects to conservation easements at Tuckaway Farm, completed by the Forest Society in 2021.

Now, the Forest Society can expand the protected area at Powder Major’s Forest by purchasing 133 acres to the north, extending the network of conservation land from Cherry Lane through to Hayes Road in Madbury. The property borders the Town of Madbury’s Bolstridge Forest, just south of the Bellamy Reservoir. The City of Portsmouth has actively conserved land around the perimeter of the Bellamy Reservoir for several years, as it is the drinking water source for the city.

The Powder Major’s Forest Addition includes significant frontage on Dube Brook, a main tributary of the Oyster River, and falls within a corridor between the Bellamy River and the Oyster River, both headwater sources for the Great Bay. It is also situated within the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge’s priority area for promoting early successional and shrubland habitat to support threatened and declining species, including New England cottontail, American woodcock, ruffed grouse, and monarch butterfly. The property serves as an important corridor for wildlife movement between Powder Major’s Forest to the Bellamy River and other conserved areas situated to the north.

24 | FOREST NOTES Winter/Spring 2026

The Powder Major’s Forest addition will protect significant frontage along Dube Brook and a wetland complex that provides habitat for many resident and migratory birds.

The Forest Society has an agreement to purchase the 133 acres, with a total project cost, including expenses and a stewardship fund, of $886,000. Fortunately, thanks to the property’s outstanding natural resources, we have already received generous grants from the NH Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund program and Source Water Protection Fund, the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, and funding provided by the Town of Madbury. The Forest Society must raise the final $150,000 from private sources.

These lands will be managed primarily for habitat and water resource values, with no new trails planned in the near term.

It is an ideal spot for shy New England cottontails, migratory songbird stopovers,

and woodcock calls and displays in the spring. With this addition, the conservation corridor north of Route 155 will expand to nearly 700 acres, including land held by the Town of Madbury and conservation easements on town and private lands.

In this thickly populated part of the state, protecting freshwater resources for drinking water, maintaining large blocks of diverse forest types, and protecting the water quality of Great Bay is especially urgent. We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand Powder Major’s Forest and continue to manage this land for its natural values. Please join us by making a gift to the Powder Major’s Forest Addition today! Our goal is to secure the final $150,000 by June 30, 2026, so that we can complete the project by the end of 2026.

YES, I’D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF 133 ACRES TO POWDER MAJOR’S FOREST IN MADBURY! Name: Address:

Town/City:

Telephone:

Email:

State

Zip:

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of $ ________________ VISA

MasterCard Number:

Exp. date:

Security code:

RYAN SMITH

Please mail the completed form to: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301

Donate online at forestsociety.org/powdernorth For more information, call Anne Truslow at 603-224-9945 or email atruslow@forestsociety.org.

Thank you for your help!

4104T065/110 PM263FN

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FORESTS 54 Portsmouth Street Concord, NH 03301-5400

Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid Manchester, NH Permit No. 0494

Address Service Requested

YEARS IN

AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED. This year, join us for pop-up outings, special gatherings, and a big annual meeting celebration this fall as we celebrate the Forest Society’s 125th anniversary.

Together, members like you have shaped a legacy of conservation that reaches every corner of New Hampshire.

Imagine what’s possible as more neighbors, friends, and communities step into this next chapter with us.