Forest Notes, Summer 2023

On our cover:

Becky Fullerton’s painting “A Bend in the River” encapsulates the beauty of the Ammonoosuc River as it flows downstream of the Forest Society’s Ammonoosuc River Forest in Bethlehem Turn to page 14 to learn more about the North Country artist

CHAIR

Drew Kellner, Brookline

VICE CHAIR

Bill Crangle, Plymouth

SECRETARY

Allyson Hicks, Concord

TREASURER

Andrew Smith, Twin Mountain

PRESIDENT

Jack Savage, Middleton

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Philip Bryce, Deering

Deb Buxton, Greenfield

George Epstein, Silver Lake

Elizabeth Salas Evans, Weare

Peter Fauver, North Conway

Don Floyd, Concord

Jason Hicks, Meredith

Patricia Losik, Rye

Nancy Martland, Sugar Hill

Michael Morison, Peterborough

Bill “Tuck” Tucker, Goffstown

Tom Wagner, Campton

Janet Zeller, Concord

STAFF

Will Abbott, Project Manager, The Rocks

Frank Allen, Building and Grounds Assistant

Sarah AlSamaraee, Stewardship & Forestry Administrative Coordinator

Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education

Brie Belisle, Regional Stewardship Manager

Anna Berry, Director of Communications and Digital Outreach

Nik Berube, Maintenance Assistant

Naomi Brattlof, Director of Easement Stewardship

Rita Carroll, Tree Farm Administrator

Tony Cheek, Vice President for Finance

Connie Colton, Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator

Linda Dammann, Development Assistant

Carrie Deegan, Reservation Stewardship and Engagement Director

Leah Hart, Land Conservation Project Manager

Stacie Hernandez, Land Conservation Project Manager

Brian Hotz, Vice President for Land Conservation

Steve Junkin, Field Forester

Sarah Kern, Creek Farm Education Program Coordinator

Susanne Kibler-Hacker, Senior Philanthropy Advisor

Allan Krygeris, Senior Technology Specialist

Matt Leahy, Public Policy Director

Cameron Larnerd, Christmas Tree Farm Manager, The Rocks

Margaret Liszka, Membership Director

Nigel Manley, Senior Outreach Manager, The Rocks

Ann McCoy, Development Manager

Stephanie Milender, Human Resource Director

Jack Minich, Regional Stewardship Manager

Michelle Morse, Finance Specialist

Carl Murphy, Facilities Manager

Meredith Reed O’Donnell, Foundation Relations Manager

Tina Ripley, Administrative Coordinator

Sophie Oehler, Communications Coordinator

Cara Pearson, Membership Specialist

John Plummer, Regional Stewardship Manager

Jack Savage, President

Matt Scaccia, Recreation and Community Relations Manager

Ryan Smith, Communications Manager

Ron Snow, Manager of Individual Giving

Maria Stewart, Senior Executive Assistant

Dylan Summers, Stewardship Projects Manager

Laurel Swope-Brush, Land Steward & Volunteer Programs Coordinator

Anne Truslow, Vice President for Development

Wendy Weisiger, Managing Forester

Harriette Yazzie-Whitcomb, Administrative Assistant

Healthy Forests, Healthy Lives

At the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, we like to talk about the multiple benefits forests provide Clean water often tops the list, followed quickly by clean air Sustainably managed forests yield the wood from which we build our homes, while providing diverse habitat for wildlife If we take care of the trees, they will take care of us.

In this issue of Forest Notes we highl i g h t a n o t h e r d i r e c t b e n e fi t o f f o r e s t s , our physical and mental health As Dr Aimee Valeras points out in her article (“Forest Rx” on page 8), just simply taking a 20-minute walk outdoors can do wonders for reducing the stress we feel in our modern lives by activating our parasympathetic ner vous system, which controls the body’s ability to relax. And just getting our muscles moving has clear physical benefits, too.

Whenever I get a chance, I like to walk d o w n t h e h i l l f r o m o u r C o n s e r v a t i o n C e n t e r h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d l o o p a r o u n d t h e t r a i l s i n o u r M e r r i m a c k O u t d o o r Recreation and Education Area along the Merrimack River in Concord Something about the river water flowing by, as it has since the glaciers receded, puts the daily doomsday headlines that shout for our attention in perspective.

If you could use a lift as summer comes to a close, consider signing up for our 2023 Five Hikes Challenge, which is sponsored this year by our friends at Concord Hospital The Five Hikes Challenge highlights a variety of places around the state where you can get your 20-minute (or more!) parasympathetic jumpstart Sign up and you’ll receive easy to follow maps t h a t w i l l h e l p y o u e x p l o r e a f e w n e w places

I’d also like to invite you to come to our 122nd Annual Meeting on September 23 at The Rocks in Bethlehem, where we’ll be celebrating the renovation of the 1884 Carriage Barn and surrounding grounds (see page 24) into our Forest Society North campus The view of the White Mountains f r o m o u r n e w o u t d o o r a m p h i t h e a t r e urges us to take a deep breath, relax, and r e l i s h t h e f a c t t h a t t h a n k s t o y o u much of what you can see is permanently protected

Jack Savage is the president of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests H e c a n b e re a c h e d b y e m a i l a t j s a v a g e @forestsociety org

Podcasting From Treeline

Something Wild visits 6288’ forestsociety.org/sw-mtwashington

Monadnock Rocks!

Photos from this year ’s rock in’ event forestsociety.org/trailsweek23

Gorgeous Gorges

How do NH’s top three stack up? forestsociety.org/three -gorges

The Eastern Mountain Spor ts Peterborough, N.H., team got out for #MonadnockTrailsWeek , an annual collaboration between @forestsociety and @nhstateparks to protec t, improve, and promote the trails of the Monadnock Region. Great job team!

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 2023 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 Member Under writer

Cornish Tree Farmer Wins 2023 Award

By John Tracy

T h e N H Tr e e F a r m C o m m i t t e e h a s s e l e c t e d C o l l e e n O ’ N e i l l o f C o r n i s h a s the 2023 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. O’Neill’s 405-acre Tree Farm, known as Langwood Tree Farm, is part of her 475 acres located in Cornish and Plainfield Her late husband acquired the initial 90 acres in 1953 and additions have been m a d e w h e n o p p o r t u n i t i e s a r o s e , m o s t recently in 2022 Langwood Tree Farm has participated in the NH Tree Farm program since 1981 and implements the four pillars of the Tree Farm program: wood, water, wildlife, and recreation.

O ’ N e i l l ’s g o a l s f o r L a n g w o o d Tr e e Farm include maintaining and expanding the 5 miles of recreation trails, conducti n g s u s t a i n a b l e t i m b e r h a r v e s t i n g a n d improvement, enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting vernal pools and wetlands, restoring and maintaining views, protecting water resources, and creating more meadows and openings with help from t h e U S D A’s Wi l d l i f e H a b i t a t I n c e n t i v e Program (WHIP) The property is open to the public for cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and wildlife obser vation. O’Neill’s long-range goal is to ensure that Langwood Tree Farm remains a working forest forever by placing a conser vation easement on it Her conser vation efforts have not gone unnoticed. “Colleen has a genuine interest to do the best stewardship motions she can by engaging the best tools and professionals Along the entire path of planning, implementing, a n d m o n i t o r i n g h e r l a n d s t e w a r d s h i p , she strives to learn as much as possible f r o m t h e m a n a g e m e n t t o o l b o x , ” s a y s J e r e m y Tu r n e r, O ’ N e i l l ’s l o n g - t i m e f o rester “Colleen is thoroughly engaged with humble regard for the land. Over the past 16 years, I have seen her transform from being ‘brand new to it all’ into a learned land steward The New Hampshire forestry community is fortunate to have such a solid team player.”

A s i s r e q u i r e d f o r a l l c e r t i f i e d Tr e e Farms, a written forest management plan for Langwood Tree Farm is in place and is updated regularly with the assistance of Turner and Mathias Nevins of Meadowsend Consulting Company O’Neill, the recipient of the 2017 Cornish Conser vation Commission Award, is a board member of the NH Timberland Owners Association She learned about managing her woodlot by seeking advice from her consulting forester and other tree farmers and attending multiple educational workshops, many of which were organized by UNH Cooperative Extension, the Forest Society, and the NH Timberland Owners Association Not one to be idle, she is a NH Coverts volunteer and serves on the NH Board of Foresters

S AV E T H E DAT E!

S E P T E M B E R 16 Tree Farm Field Day

Langwood Tree Farm, Cornish

The NH Tree Farm Program will hold its annual Tree Farm Field Day on September 16 at Colleen O’Neill’s Langwood Tree Farm in Cornish For more information, visit nhtreefarm.org.

2023 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Colleen O’Neill

This story originally ran in the NH Tree Farm Committee’s winter 2023 newsletter of Granite State Tree Farmer.

Forest Societ y I nvites Public Comment for LTA Accreditation Renewal

T h e L a n d Tr u s t A l l i a n c e ( LTA ) i s a n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n t h a t s u p p o r t s m o r e t h a n 9 0 0 m e m b e r l a n d t r u s t s a n d p r o m o t e s v o l u n t a r y l a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n to benefit communities. Recognizing the importance of public confidence in land t r u s t s , LTA e s t a b l i s h e d f o r m a l s t a n d a r d s a n d p r a c t i c e s i n t h e 1 9 8 0 s T h e F o r e s t S o c i e t y w a s o n e o f t h e e a r l i e s t a d o p t e r s o f t h e s e s t a n d a r d s . T h e l a n d t r u s t a c c r e d i t a t i o n p r o g r a m r e c o g n i z e s l a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t m e e t national quality standards for protecting i m p o r t a n t n a t u r a l p l a c e s a n d w o r k i n g lands forever.

In 2006, the Land Trust Accreditation C o m m i s s i o n w a s e s t a b l i s h e d a s a n i n d e p e n d e n t p r o g r a m o f LTA T h e c o m m i s s i o n d e s i g n e d a n a c c r e d i t a t i o n system that recognizes land conser vation organizations that meet national quality standards. Today, there are 467 accredited land trusts nationwide, which collectively have protected 81 percent of all land and easements held by all land trusts in the United States

The Forest Society chose to participate in this voluntary and rigorous accreditation program and became an accredited land trust in 2013. Accreditation provides the assurance of quality and permanence that is essential for building public confidence in land conservation It also ensures that the Forest Society follows national best practices established for all land trusts. Five years after its initial accreditation, in 2018, the Forest Society underwent its first accreditation renewal Now, five years later, the Forest Society is up for its second re-accreditation.

“As a land trust, the Forest Society’s goal is to be exemplar y in our conser vation work,” says Forest Society President Jack Savage. “Accreditation is one important way that we can measure the quality of our work against nationwide standards We’re proud to be an accredited land trust

Consulting Foresters

The Forest Society encourages landowners to consult with a licensed forester before under taking land management activities. The following are paid adver tisers.

Calhoun & Cor win Forestr y, LLC

Realize what you value the most in your forest Ser ving individual, municipal, state, non-government, and industr y forest owners 41 Pine St , Peterborough, NH 03458 • 603-562-5620

Email: swiftcor win@gmail.com

Full Circle Forestr y, LLC

Ehrhard Frost, NHLPF #103, Thetford Center, V T 802-785-4749 • efrost fc f@gmail com

Eric Radlof, NHLPF #447, Antrim, NH 603-321-3482 • eradlof.fc f@gmail.com

Jeffrey Snitkin, NHLPF #452, Newbur y, NH 802-310-0292 • jsnitkin fc f@gmail com

Benjamin Vicere, NHLPF #453, Springfield, V T 802-779-7021 • bvicere fc f@gmail com

a n d w e l o o k f o r w a r d t o r e n e w i n g o u r accredited status ”

The renewal process through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission involves an extensive review of the Forest Society’s p o l i c i e s a n d p r o g r a m s . A s p a r t o f t h e r e v i e w p r o c e s s , p u b l i c i n p u t i s i n v i t e d T h e c o m m i s s i o n a c c e p t s s i g n e d , w r i tten comments on pending applications Comments must relate to how the Forest S o c i e t y c o m p l i e s w i t h n a t i o n a l q u a li t y s t a n d a r d s T h e s e s t a n d a r d s a d d r e s s t h e e t h i c a l a n d t e c h n i c a l o p e r a t i o n of a land trust For the full list of stand a r d s , v i s i t l a n d t r u s t a c c r e d i t a t i o n o r g / help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

Comments on the Forest Society’s application will be most useful by November 18, 2023 If you have any questions about the accreditation renewal process, please contact Easement Stewardship Director Naomi Brattlof at 603-224-9945 To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit landtrustaccreditation org or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.

We specialize in creative, ecological approaches to forest management that are designed to provide longterm economic and intangible benefits to landowners and their forests FCF par tners are licensed foresters, NRCS Technical Ser vice Providers, pesticide applicators, and Tree Farm Inspectors.

752 Rt 103A Newbur y, NH 03255 • 802-310-0292

Mar tin Forestr y Consulting, LLC

Offering complete forest management services, including timber sales, cruises, appraisals, and wildlife habitat management. Ask us about recreation trail planning, construction Brontosaurus mowing, and forestr y excavation ser vices

P O Box 89, New Hampton, NH 03256 • 603-744-9484 Email: mar tinforestr y@gmail.com

Meadowsend Consulting Company

Quality Consulting Forestr y with Integrity Guaranteed Jeremy Turner, NHLPF #318 Southern NH jturner@meadowsendco.com

Matthias Nevins, NHLPF #518 Central NH mnevins@meadowsendco com

Ryan Kilborn, NHLPF #442 Nor thern NH rkilborn@meadowsendco com

Vast range of quality land management ser vices Connect with us for a free site consultation! meadowsendco com • 603 526 8686

Licensed foresters should address inquiries about advertising to Anne Truslow by calling 603-224-9945 or emailing atruslow@forestsociety.org.

Moving Rocks on Monadnock

By Laurel Swope-Brush

T h e F o r e s t S o c i e t y a n d N e w H a m p s h i r e S t a t e P a r k s a r e thankful for the more than 50 volunteers and staff that joined us from July 13–17 at the 17th annual Monadnock Trails Week Even with the threat of rain and storms every day, volunteers accomplished major trail structural improvements at Mount Monadnock and Gap Mountain.

On Monadnock’s Marlboro Trail, stone check steps were installed to reduce gully erosion on a 70-foot section of moderately sloped trail. On the Dublin Trail, a stone staircase was extended by 25 feet to reinforce the steep grade of the trail On the popular White Dot Trail, a crew installed a drainage waterbar to reduce erosion from water and foot tread The bar was made from logs that New Hampshire State Parks had peeled and stored on-site. Another crew attended to trailhead improvements on the Old Toll Road, Dublin Trail, and Marlboro Trail by adding Forest Society property signs and sprucing up the area On Gap Mountain, an all-girls crew from Camp Wa-Klo in Dublin, N H , cleared saplings on the middle summit to keep valuable blueberry and early successional species habitats open.

By the end of the event, 39 volunteers had contributed approximately 447 hours to trail improvements, and 13 Forest Society staff and temporary crew leaders spent more than 288 hours leading and supporting their efforts This work couldn’t have been done without the support of Eastern Mountain Sports, who provided our volunteers with plenty of food and swag to keep them going. We’ll see you next summer!

Forest Society staff and volunteers came out in force at this year’s Monadnock Trails Week to address trail erosion issues and improve footing at Monadnock and Gap Mountain

Gear Up and Get Out This Fall!

The Forest Society is excited to announce the 4th Annual 5 Hikes Challenge will take place from August 31 to October 31 Hit the trail with your family, friends, or on your own for a do-it-yourself hiking experience. This year, we’ve par tnered with the Concord Hospital Regional Healthcare Network to present the challenge. Together, we’ll share wellness tips to keep you motivated throughout the challenge and the science behind the physical and mental benefits of time spent in nature For more, turn to page 8

Registered par ticipants will also receive a “Forest Rx ” notepad and five trail maps with directions and safety info For more information, visit forestsociety.org/5hikes.

Together M aking New Hampshire a Great Place to Live, Work, and Explore

their generous suppor t

Forest Society Nor th at The Rocks – CDFA Tax Credit Program

Badger, Peabody & Smith Realty, Inc.

Bassinger Limited, PC

Grappone Management Co , Inc

Lumbard & Kellner, LLC

Mascoma Bank

Meredith Village Savings Bank

Merrimack County Savings Bank

Milestone Engineering & Construction, LLC

Nathan Wechsler & Company

Northway Bank

ReVision Energy

Union Bank

Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank

Summit Circle ($5,000 and up)

Altus Engineering

Badger, Peabody & Smith Realty, Inc

J and M Morse Trucking, LLC

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Merrimack County Savings Bank

Nathan Wechsler & Company

Newburyport Bank

Northland Forest Products, Inc

Seaboard International Forest Products, LLC

St Mary’s Bank

Summit Wealth Group LLC

Whalen Public & Media Relations, LLC

Trustees’ Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)

Northeast Delta Dental

The Secret Agency, LLC

President ’s Circle ($1,000 to $2,499)

Bangor Savings Bank

BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC

Bensonwood & Unity Homes

Capital City Subaru

Checkmate Payroll Services

Chinburg Properties

EOS Research Ltd

Garden Life, LLC

President ’s Circle (continued)

GMEC, Inc.

Lumbard & Kellner, LLC

Milestone Engineering & Construction LLC

New England Private Wealth Advisors, LLC

NH Conservation Real Estate

Ransmeier & Spellman, P.C.

ReVision Energy

Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, Inc.

Samyn d’Elia Architects PA

Target Corporation

Steward ($750 to $999)

Devine, Millimet & Branch, PA

Post and Beam Brewery

Par tner ($500 to $749)

Arcomm Communications Corporation

Blue Mountain Forest Association

Capitol Craftsman, LLC

Durgin and Crowell Lumber Co., Inc.

Eastern Mountain Sports

Frog Hollow Forestry

Half Moon Enterprises

Harbor Group

Leigh Starer Landscape Architect

The Lyme Timber Company LP

Meadowsend Timberlands Limited

The Music Mill

Pine Springs

R.M. Piper, Inc.

Whole Wealth Management, LLC

Colleague ($250 to $499)

Ballentine Partners

C&S Wholesale Grocers

Dublin Road Tap Room and Eatery

Gideon Asen LLC

Great Brook Veterinary Clinic, LLC

Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC

J M Tree Service

Joyful Yoga NH

Kozikowski Properties, LLC

Mulligan Forest, LLC

Robbins Lumber

Sunset Park Campground

Tri-State Iron Works, Inc

Twin State Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.

Zachary Berger Associates, Inc

Matching Gif t Companies

ADP, LLC

Ameresco, Inc.

American Biltrite, Inc.

Amgen, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.

Bank of America

Bank of New Hampshire

Bose Corporation

Boston Scientific

Citizens Bank

Cleveland H Dodge Foundation, Inc

Dell, Inc

Erie Insurance

Gartner, Inc

General Electric

Gilead Sciences, Inc

Google, LLC

Gradient

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Lincoln Financial Group

MassMutual

Microsoft Corporation

Novartis

Oracle Corporation

Pfizer, Inc.

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Shell Oil Company

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

The Travelers Companies, Inc.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

VMware, Inc.

We are grateful to the many businesses that suppor t the Forest Society with gif ts 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.

The Forest S ociet y thanks our business par tners for

In this issue of Forest Notes, we’ve curated stories, art, and activities that promote wellness in our lives First, Aimee Valeras of Concord Hospital explains the value of spending time in nature to boost our mood, health, and relationships. This is followed by a stor y about strengthening your senses written by Creek Farm Education Program Director Sarah Kern, some beautiful works of art from painter Becky Fullerton, and a seasonally appropriate stor y written by Howard Mansfield. It’s our hope that you find time to get outside this year for some restorative moments spent by yourself or with others at our more than 190 properties You’ll be glad you did!

Ryan Smith, Forest Notes editor

Taking in a view of natural landscapes has been shown to lower pulse rates and combat mental fatigue Views in New Hampshire including the one pictured from the Forest Society’s Eagle Cliff in Sandwich are plentiful and free and can be enjoyed by all ages! Photo: Emily Lord

Nature is a Remedy for Stress

By Aimee Valeras

Nature is a missing ingredient in our society’s approach to health care The benefits to being outdoors include positive impacts on psychological, physical, and cognitive well-being

Walking in nature has the obvious benefit of getting you moving and physical movement is always a good thing. A lesser known benefit, however, is that being active in nature gets the body’s parasympathetic nervous system going. The para-what?! What does that mean?

The sympathetic nervous system starts up the fight-or-flight response in our bodies when we sense danger. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the body is prepared to take action to deal with whatever the threat is. Imagine a bear jumps out of the woods and it is coming straight for you! Your heart immediately starts beating harder and faster, your breathing might become more like panting, your pupils dilate, and your mouth might feel dry because your body is not focused on salivation or digestion it’s focused on survival! This bodily response is perfect if you need to figure out whether to run away as fast as you can or to confront that bear

But a problem arises when the sympathetic ner vous system kicks in at the wrong time: when there is no life-threatening situation. It’s as if our brains perceive a real-life actual bear jumping out of our phone when we check our email or when someone calls or when we click on the calendar app and see all the plans for the day. Our brains get tricked into perceiving daily stressors as an angry mama bear and can send us into fight-or-flight mode without us even realizing it is happening.

The parasympathetic ner vous system, on the other hand, refers to the network of nerves that relaxes our bodies when it

thinks we’re no longer under stress or in danger. When the parasympathetic response kicks in, our heart beat slows down, our breathing slows down, the pupils constrict, and our digestive system kicks back in through increased saliva and juices in our intestines that process food. Our brain realizes we’re not in any danger and allows the body to relax.

When our sympathetic nervous system is too active, we can feel stressed out, and chronic stress can lead to all kinds of health problems This is why it’s so important to know that a simple activity like walking outdoors can kickstart the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the body and mind.

How much time moving outdoors does one need to gain these positive health benefits? Answer: Only 120 minutes a week, which means just 20 minutes a day!

Research has shown that moving our bodies in nature can result in:

• improved psychological well-being (less anxiety, fewer negative feelings, and less repetitive thinking);

• improved psychophy siological stress reaction (less fluctuation in heart rate; lower stress-related hormones like c o r t i s o l , a d r e n a l i n e , a n d n o r e p i n e p h r i n e ; a n d m o r e feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine);

• improved cognitive function (more creativity, better focus, fewer memory issues)

Both being outdoors and grounding exercises are enjoyable, free, easy to learn, and the more often you do them, the easier it is for the brain to relax the body!

Aimee Valeras, Ph.D. LICSW, is a social worker at Concord Hospital Family Health Center

VonFelsinger Forest | Photo: Ryan Smith

Nurture Your Senses

By Sarah Kern

Spending time in nature offers us ample opportunities to retool our senses, many of which have lost their ability to fully function because of our ever-increasing infatuation with digital devices. We see less, taste less, and aren’t completely in tune with everything around us The next time you need to recharge, shut off your phone and find a spot outside to immerse yourself in the following sensory exercises. Tr y to do these ever y day for a week, a month who knows even a year and see how you feel.

Sight | “Shape of Things”

Who knew searching for shapes in nature could be an amazingly fun and simple activity for children and adults! Does that broken tree limb look like a dragon? Is that a heart shape on the feather you found? Is that tree hollow a circle? When we slow down and open our eyes, the world comes to life Bring a sketch pad with you to log the daily shapes that you see. You’ll be amazed by how many different ones there are

Sound | “Sounds Around”

In our busy and highly audible world, silence is rare, but so is slowing down to listen to more of the subtle sounds around you! For this activity, choose a comfortable and safe spot to sit alone or with your family and close your eyes for 5 minutes and just listen What do you hear? Can you hear any cars or planes? Can you hear water? How far off do you think you can hear? What do those noises mean?

Touch | “ Tex ture Treasures”

This activity can be done in any environment. From finding pinecones, leaves, or catkins on a walk in the forest or stones and moss along the wetland’s edge, find as many textures as you can out in nature! Is your object spiky, rough, smooth, or bumpy?

If you are unsure if something is safe to touch, imagine what it might feel like. Be sure to handle ever ything with care, put objects back where you found them, and have fun!

Smell | “Scents All Around”

This fun activity boasts surprises when you simply stop and smell the roses, or mud, leaves, and more! First, gather some natural materials such as flowers, pine needles, mud, tree bark, and grass. Place these items into individual cups or canisters and cover them so they can’t be seen Smell each container and see if you can guess what it is Use descriptive words to describe the smell

Taste | “A Sip of Summer ”

You don’t have to look too far in New Hampshire for wild drinkables that are sure to enliven your senses One easy concoction to make is a “lemonade” made from staghorn sumac This shrub might not be as common as a red maple or pine tree, but you probably have seen sumac growing in places more often than you think. Your tastebuds will thank you once you bless them with this zingy summery drink Instruc tions

• Har vest sumac berries (called “drupes” or sumac “bobs”) and pick away any sticks or leaves

• Place berries in a large pot.

• Cover with water and use your hands or wooden spoon to agitate the water and berries

• Allow berries to soak for a few hours or overnight.

• Use hands or wooden spoon to “smoosh” the berries

• Strain through a fine mesh strainer, clean kitchen towel, or coffee filter

• Sweeten if desired and serve chilled

Sarah Kern is the Creek Farm education program coordinator

Grafton Pond | Photo: John Welch

Summer Over Autumn

By Howard Mansfield

Floating, paddle at rest, my kayak is adrift in the middle of the pond as I look at the mountain It’s mid-August

The light is silvery and soft. I can see a weakening of the green, and here and there like a splattering of paint, the first yellow leaves

Autumn is beginning to slip out from under cover. I think of this moment as its own distinct time, as “Summer Over Autumn ” This is the moment that precedes the fall snap, the great colors, and the final bare season in November

Summer is in high season you’ll never eat better tomatoes or corn, but the first apples are ready for picking, the evenings are cooler, and the day’s heat lacks conviction Summer at this moment is a party, but the party is already over. August in northern New England is poignant, a quick curtain call for the green earth, for summer’s heat, and for the gardens

S u m m e r O v e r A u t u m n i s n ’t a s e a s o n . I t ’s a g l i m p s e , t h e moment when we see the skull beneath the skin, the death that is always part of life. “In the midst of life we are in death,” as the Book of Common Prayer says

It’s a moment poised on the seesaw, right at the fulcrum, a moment of passage. Sitting still, you can feel summer passing, retreating as fog retreats It’s like passing through a doorway If we could inhabit a still-point, floating as if we were in a kayak, would we be aware of the many doorways we daily pass through?

The pond is one such doorway. We have seen loons nest, raise a fluffy, awkward chick, and then at season’s end, fly off. None of this looks easy, and each summer it seems as if the loons are inventing it all over again the way the chick at first rides on the mother’s back, then the stage where it is on its own in the water, but looks like a floating toupee. And when the loons are getting ready to fly away, they have to flap their way down the length of the pond to rise just a few feet To clear the trees, they have to circle again. They look less like birds than someone earnestly impersonating a bird

Turtles; snakes; salamanders; the occasional otter family; a bald eagle fishing; pink lady’s slipper orchids; dragonflies; kingfishers; big rocks that have shifted, fissured, and shed parts of themselves; tall trees that shaded us one summer, died the next, and by and by fell over, giving rise to other trees, plants, and insects. All these we have seen at this one pond while adrift.

And we have seen people come and go There was a young couple who lived in a small cottage near the pond. I’d see them working on their place None of that came easy, either He always seemed to have a circular saw in one hand; she was balancing a baby on her hip, and keeping her eye on their two-year-old, while trying to hold a board for him She looked as tired as those women in the photos from the Depression-era Dust Bowl.

For a couple of summers, I’d walk past them in this formation, or stop sometimes to chat What happened next happened in winter, I guess. They separated and divorced. He got ver y sick, and I last saw him in town He was confused, under heavy medication, and too thin, the death in him showing. He died not long after; other couples have come to live out their dramas in that cottage

Summer Over Autumn will never make the roster of mini seasons like Mud Season and Black Fly Season It’s just too short It’s like a ferry ride described long ago by the eighth-century Chinese poet, Tu Fu: a group of “dandies” and young women set out on a fine summer’s day but, as Carolyn Kizer translates:

Above us a patch of cloud spreads, darkening

Like a water-stain on silk

The women in their “crimson skirts” are drenched by a downpour The ferry trip home is cold and wet

Like a knife in a melon, Autumn slices Summer.

This essay is from Howard Mansfield’s Summer Over Autumn: A Small Book of Small Town Life (Bauhan Publishing, 2017)

Made Well Through Painting

By Becky Fullerton

lthough I had started painting scenes from the White Mountains a few years before I moved out of Boston, coming north solidified this region as my main focus i n t e r m s o f s u b j e c t m a t t e r B u t t h e m o v e a l s o h e l p e d m e broaden the types of compositions I create. When I had been a visitor to the area, I felt the time pressure to collect as many reference photos and sketches as possible to paint dramatic and iconic mountain scenes As a resident, I have the time and access to study the more intricate and subtly beautiful snippets of the greater landscape. For example, I decided to commit to studying and deciphering the mysteries of painting water, and especially water in motion, which I avoided before.

Hikers who view my work will also notice the careful attention I pay to depicting the character of the rocks and plant life in the higher reaches of the mountains. I could paint these things more generically but making them recognizable types and species that you would find in this environment is my way of paying homage to the mountains and giving the work a deeper sense of place I don’t think I ever expected to call myself a landscape painter, much less a White Mountains painter, but I have fallen in love with the scenery here and find I will never run out of things to paint

Painting and outdoor recreation feed off each other in maintaining my overall wellness. I must spend time in nature to glean ideas and subject matter for my paintings, but I find the outdoors also acts as a barometer for my overall health I start to get what I call the “no-hike grumpies” when I’ve been away from the trails too long Be it an all-day hike in the Pemigewasset Wilderness or just a couple miles of trail running through the Forest Society’s Bretzfelder Park, recreation fuels my soul Coming back into the art studio with inspiration from my latest hike gives me capacity to get into that cherished flow state we all pursue to be taken outside of the stressful things we deal with in life While painting, I am actively thinking about how the place in the image felt on the day I was there The finished painting then has a lasting after-effect on me in bringing up the positive emotions and sense of adventure I experienced.

Based in Bethlehem, N.H., Becky holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history from Hartwick College, as well as a master’s degree in museum studies from the Harvard Extension School To see more of her work, visit rmfullerton.com.

Above: “A Little Pond Shore” | 9 x 12 inch oil on panel painting | Bretzfelder Park

Right: “Sound of Water” | 16 x 20 inch oil on gallery wrapped canvas |

White Mountain National Forest

On “Top” of Her Stewarding Game

By Carrie Deegan

On e o f t h e m o r e r e l i a b l e t h i n g s y o u c a n s a y i n t h e s u m m e rt i m e i n N e w H a m p s h i r e i s t h a t if it’s nice out, the trailheads are sure to b e p a c k e d e s p e c i a l l y M o u n t M a j o r ’s A s h l e i g h R o b e r t s k n o w s t h i s fi r s t h a n d A s a m e m b e r o f t h e F o r e s t S o c i e t y ’s Vo l u n t e e r Tr a i l h e a d O u t r e a c h P r o g r a m ( V T O P ) a t M o u n t M a j o r i n A l t o n , A s h l e i g h p l a n s h e r s h i f t s a r o u n d s u n n y d a y s t o i n t e r a c t w i t h t h e m o s t p e o p l e p o s s i b l e . “ P e o p l e h e a d t o M o u n t M a j o r because the climb is hard enough to feel like a real challenge, but it’s not too difficult It’s so exciting when you reach the top and see that view,” she says.

V T O P w a s p i l o t e d i n s u m m e r 2 0 2 1 thanks to a handful of dedicated volunteers, including Ashleigh, with the goal of providing information to the 80,000p l u s h i k e r s w h o v i s i t M o u n t M a j o r ever y year to assist them in maximizing safety and reducing some of the humancaused environmental damage occurring o n t h e m o u n t a i n Vo l u n t e e r s p r o v i d e visitors with updates on current trail cond i t i o n s a n d p o t e n t i a l w e a t h e r h a z a r d s ( e g , e x t r e m e h e a t o r t h u n d e r s t o r m s ) a n d e n c o u r a g e r e s p o n s i b l e r e c r e a t i o n . They also talk about simple things people can do to reduce their impact, such as leashing their dogs to reduce unwanted conflicts, explaining how staying on trails can reduce erosion, or making sure waste, e v e n “ n a t u r a l ” i t e m s l i k e b a n a n a a n d orange peels, are packed out and disposed of properly. In turn, volunteers get a lot of questions about which trail to hike and how long it will take to reach the summit “A lot of people who come to Mount Major have never been here before, so they don’t know what to ask besides questions about the trails,” Ashleigh notes “I try not to recommend a specific trail, but instead give people information to let them make their own decisions. Providing information about safety and introductory hiking

skills is so important A lot of kids and a d u l t s t a k e t h e i r f i r s t h i k e s h e r e o n Mount Major ”

An environmental educator by trade, A s h l e i g h c a m e w e l l p r e p a r e d t o h e l p w i t h h i k e r o u t r e a c h a t M o u n t M a j o r S h e c u r r e n t l y w o r k s a t P r e s c o t t F a r m E n v i r o n m e n t a l E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r i n Laconia but has taught people about the natural world in numerous locations, from her native Ohio to the deserts of southern California. “Our country has so many diverse ecosystems; but the big ideas in environmental education are amazingly

c o n s i s t e n t a n d t r a n s f e r a b l e , ” s h e s a y s . Adjusting to New Hampshire hasn’t been difficult, especially after Ashleigh spent s o m e q u a l i t y t i m e e x p l o r i n g t h e l o c a l trail systems She has hiked most of the peaks in the Belknap Range, which she says comes in handy when she meets the occasional hiker looking to head beyond M o u n t M a j o r ’s s u m m i t . T h e fi r s t t i m e she summited Mount Major, it was part of a loop hike that combined Quarry and Straightback mountains. “Mount Major was the last peak I came to,” Ashleigh says, “and when I got to the summit, my

Are you interested in volunteering for V TOP at Mount Major?

Becoming a V TOP volunteer is fun and easy! Our online training modules can be completed at any time, and 2-hour V TOP shifts are available ever y day of the week

For more information, or to sign up, visit forestsociety.org/vtop or email V TOP@forestsociety.org.

Ashleigh Roberts, a member of the Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program at Mount Major, provides hikers with weather reports, trail advice, and other useful information during busy summer weekends.

first impression was sadness that all the lichens, blueberries, and other vegetation I saw on the other peaks were gone That’s p a r t o f w h y I s t a r t e d v o l u n t e e r i n g f o r VTOP I like doing something to help the trails I’ve been hiking on ”

I n V T O P ’s f i r s t s e a s o n , v o l u n t e e r s logged more than 100 hours and interacted with about 4,000 visitors. Building off that great start, the Forest Society is working to expand the program significantly this year, thanks to an AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund grant through VolunteerNH, by recruiting and training new volunteers With their hard work and dedication, Ashleigh and the other VTOP volunteers will continue to make Mount M a j o r a s a f e r, m o r e s u s t a i n a b l e h i k i n g destination for everyone.

A Major Under tak ing

T h e Fo r e s t S o c i e t y i s dedicated to consistently improving the visitor ex p e r i e n ce a n d n at u ra l resources at Mount Major We are teaming up with Town 4 Trails Ser vices and O B P Tra i l wo r k s to co nstruc t a sustainable trail to take the place of about 1/3 mile of the existing Main/Blue Trail, which has some ex tremely eroded sections (pictured at left) Work on the trail will take place soon.

STREAM FOR THE WONDER

Carrie Deegan is the reservation stewardship and engagement director for the Forest Society

This hand-drawn map depicts a portion of a 250-acre property in Grafton on which the Forest Society holds a conservation easement. The land has been owned by the family for more than one hundred years, and if you look closely, the map tells some of the family history by way of trails, timber harvests, and future projects to tackle

The Lost Art of Mapmaking

By John Plummer

Wh e n m o n i t o r i n g p r o p e r t i e s

p r o t e c t e d t h r o u g h a F o r e s t

S o c i e t y c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s ement, I regularly meet with owners to discuss the latest happenings on their land, usually referencing a map as we talk Sometimes I carry a field folder with deeds, surveys, and satellite imagery that I can refer to, but I often forego this printed material and opt to use a phone instead

Having access to accurate maps in a navigation app allows me to determine my location within the boundaries of any of the conserved properties that I monitor As convenient as this can be, it makes me feel detached from what is taking place on the ground in front of me A phone connects me to the land, but it also disconnects me

from experiencing nature. Fortunately, the more I visit a property, the less I need to rely on a phone to guide me. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve come to know many forests like the back of my hand And while I have a good sense of direction, it is easy and scary to get lost, even in the places I know best. Knowing how to use a map and compass can make walking in the woods more satisfying and safer From a stewardship perspective, generating a map can be useful for planning new projects for forest management, trail building, or agriculture. For example, I recently made a small map of the gardens in my yard This has made it easier for me to plot what will grow where and maximize as much of the scarce sunlight cast on the yard as possible.

While making your own map may seem unnecessary or tedious at first, it can be a profound way to connect with a place and a tool to notice things that were previously unnoticed. A handmade map is a way to remember the location of a wildlife sighting, an outing with a loved one, or changes in the landscape over time. Note where the boulder stands next to the brook that flows into the beaver pond, the vernal pool lies at the top of the hill, or the craggy, old apple tree still stands What time of year was it? What was the temperature? How did this experience make you feel?

Making a map can be a great way for kids to connect with a place that they care about all while incorporating a sense of adventure into each outing. You can

Left: Drawing this map allowed the author to visualize where the maximum amount of light would hit his gardens A row of trees on the west side of the property shades part of his yard in the afternoon, so he situated plants that like sun and heat on the eastern side of the garden.

Right: The Forest Society’s OuterSpatial mobile app provides hikers with an interactive way to explore nearly 20 Forest Society properties and learn how to navigate using GPS software. The Tree ID Outing at Creek Farm guides hikers on a tour of this waterfront property where many kinds of trees are waiting to be found and learned about For more information about the app, visit forestsociety org/app

designate certain sites along a route that have historic significance. The first stop could be the cellar hole in the middle of the forest! How do they think it got there? Did it fall from the sky? Or did someone make it? Next stop: the wetland down the hill where they’ll learn about how some a n i m a l s c a n m o d i f y e n t i r e l a n d s c a p e s to suit their needs Beavers, insects, and w o o d p e c k e r s a l l c r e a t e h a b i t a t s w h e r e they can thrive, which subsequently benefit a lot of other organisms through their work Last stop: the forest canopy, where they can use their eyes and ears to identify some common birds. Whether it’s your local neighborhood park or deep in the forest, I encourage you to find a place that you love and use a map to get your kids to engage with these cool places

In New Hampshire, there are many tools available to learn more about the

natural resources around us At the top of the list is the state’s GIS clearinghouse, NH GRANIT (granitview unh edu), a web mapping app that provides access to key data layers (e.g., administrative and political boundaries, elevation, inland water resources, and geophysical features) about your backyard, your town, and beyond If you want to dive deeper into your research, you can reach out to your town or regional conservation commission or historic society to learn about a location’s background.

B y m a k i n g y o u r o w n m a p , y o u c a n move beyond using it just for navigation and include it as a resource for understanding more about a locale It can be an enjoyable project for kids and adults to take on to get oriented with the world around them and connect with a place they love. A map is also a great way to connect future generations with a place

that you find special Having a map that c a p t u r e s y o u r s e n s e o f p l a c e c a n h e l p make land handed down through generations that much more special In my role as an easement steward, I have come across a handful of family maps that have been passed down through generations. In them, I see the rich history of stewardship and connection with the land Over the years, parents, their children, and their children’s children have added their notations to the maps, adding their respective c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e p l a c e a n d n a t u r a l changes that have occurred over the years: a clearcut now dense with regeneration, a hay field turned to wetland, or a logging trail turned back to forest all tell the storied past of a place

John Plummer is a regional stewardship manager for the Forest Society

The Old Growth Hunter

By Dave Anderson

When my friend and ecologist

C h r i s K a n e h a s s o m e s p a r e t i m e , h e c h a n n e l s h i s i n n e r Sherlock Holmes and heads to the forest i n s e a rc h o f t r e e s N o t a n y t r e e s p ec i fi c a l l y a n c i e n t , g e n e r a t i o n s - o l d t r e e s that have never been cut. If these trees w e r e t h e n e e d l e i n t h e h a y s t a c k , t h e h a y s t a c k w o u l d b e b i g g e r t h a n M o u n t Washington Chris, an associate ecologist at the NH Natural Heritage Bureau, has spent decades sifting through maps and data seeking clues that might lead to the holy grails of the woods. This summer, Chris and I chatted on his screen porch to talk about all things old growth Turns out there’s more to these trees than I originally had thought

Dave Anderson: How much old growth remains in New Hampshire?

Chris Kane: Well, nobody has the complete answer The NH Natural Heritage Bureau database currently has records of 13,826 acres of original forest of any kind. The vast majority of this is high-elevation spruce-fir forest, which is not necessarily very old; it has largely been uncut and is natural. Records of all other forest types on record in old forest condition currently total 1,886 acres in the state But that is a minimum and does not include additional acres of known sites not yet fully documented by area extent. Considering areas that are known or suspected to include relict old forest areas not yet documented, there could be as much as 2,500 acres or more of old growth The percentage of the state’s total forested area is now 79 percent or 82 percent depending on whether water bodies are included So, even if we assume 3,000 acres of old growth, that is three hundredths of one percent of forest cover. An infinitesimal number. Even if we could double what has been documented already, it would still be under one tenth of one percent statewide.

DA: Yet you continue finding new areas of old growth on public land?

CK: Yes It is very uncommon these days to find previously undocumented areas

o f o l d g r o w t h , b u t t h e y a r e o u t t h e r e .

As recently as June 2023, I found ver y old trees in intact forest with no signs of human use in areas I need to investigate further For me, sleuthing out these sites

h a s b e c o m e a p a s s i o n . T h i s a l l s t a r t e d during an internship for the NH Division o f F o r e s t s a n d L a n d s w h i l e a t t e n d i n g Antioch New England Graduate School I developed a predictive model for locating old hemlock forests in central and southern New Hampshire One of the results of this project was I rediscovered the old g r o w t h f o r e s t o n M o u n t S u n a p e e t h a t Forest Society President/Forester Phillip Ayers documented in the Manual of Mount Sunapee published in 1915

DA: How does your process work?

CK : I start by considering areas with a c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i fi c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , including ownership history and topography. Then I look at stereo pairs of statewide forest aerial imager y in black and white aerial photos from 1953 The stereo 3 D v i e w i n g e f f e c t c a n d i s p l a y t h e t e xture and look of areas of taller and more complex canopy indicative of old forest, as well as areas previously in other land use You can presume a typical history of land use in most of New Hampshire: The most accessible forest sites were converted to agriculture or logged, starting with the lower more productive soils near the coast or in river valleys and expanding from there over time. Forests in early public ownership are more likely to be places with less history of commercial activity or changes in ownership Also, steep, rough topography is likely to have discouraged or delayed human influences. The 1953 aerials provide a 70-year-old snapshot of forest conditions at that time. The logic

is that if areas were intact back then, and m o d e r n i m a g e r y i n d i c a t e s s i m i l a r c o nditions, they will be good candidates to investigate in the field Today, there is s t a t e - w i d e L i D A R ( L i g h t D e t e c t i o n a n d Ranging) data that reveals early roads and cellars, and this helps to eliminate consideration of some sites that might appear inaccessible but were actually managed

DA: What tree species are typically found in our state’s old growth forests?

CK: Trees that are shade tolerant, mostly, s i n c e t h e y t e n d t o d o m i n a t e a f t e r l e s s t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s a r e r e p l a c e d . T h e s e would be hemlock in central and southern New Hampshire Then yellow birch, s u g a r m a p l e , A m e r i c a n b e e c h , a n d r e d spruce across the Lakes Region and White Mountains, and at higher elevations. The oldest known individual trees in the state are actually ver y large black gum trees found in perched wetlands. Yet eastern red cedar trees have been found growing on extremely dry ledge sites: very slow-growing trees that are quite short but can be more than 700 or 800 years old

DA: Is it possible to find more old growth?

CK : The search continues for relict old forest sites. But if soil has never been converted to agriculture, and given enough

Chris Kane poses next to an old-growth yellow birch tree.

time, theoretically old forests would reestablish. Certainly, trees would grow old, but whether the full ecology present in old forests would reestablish is not really known This is an area of much study today, as is the concept of actively mimicking certain old-growth characteristics in second-growth forests

DA: What is it that captivates people most about old trees and old growth forests?

CK: I believe that emotions have an important influence on aspects of the world, and old trees and forests are no exception. Old forests are unusual, different, and intrinsically interesting for many people. They are very rare survivors that have escaped the most direct impacts of human influence. We can’t assume humans have never done anything in these areas, but it may be undetectable. The idea of ancient surviving forests untouched for many thousands of years, even in New Hampshire, is appealing In addition to the 3 spatial dimensions, old growth forests provide a unique perspective on the fourth dimension: time. Time that is almost beyond the ability to comprehend. From a scientific perspective, surviving old trees are also successful survivors that may have important genetics in these places compared to places where people have repeatedly removed only the very best trees. And there are other unique biodiversity values not yet fully understood, including bryophytes, fungal networks, lichens, and wildlife-tree-insect relationships.

DA: Should all old growth locations be undisclosed?

CK: I am not really in favor of restricting access to all old growth sites It depends on the site-specific conditions. If the goal is education, it is reasonable to expect that some public access should be available with some protections and conservation guidelines For example, there is old growth at Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch, and Mount Sunapee, and these already have trails to access old forest areas. Where there are individual ver y old trees, directing people may have adverse impacts There is a 625-year-old black gum tree located on

private land near Deerfield, N.H., with no landowner permission to access There are old red cedars on steep, exposed ledges that are estimated to be more than 700 years old These trees have already beat the natural odds for centuries and do not need to sustain human impacts now as well

DA: What are the greatest natural and human-caused threats to old forests?

CK: Certainly climate change is a major concern, as higher temperatures and more severe weather alter the conditions under which these forests evolved. But an even more immediate threat may be a consequence of global trade: the introduction of exotic insects and tree pathogens. E

d e t h e h e m l o c k w o o l l y adelgid, a well-established insect now in parts of New Hampshire, that’s decimating eastern hemlock. There is region-wide decline of beech from beech bark disease and, more recently, the loss of ash from the emerald ash borer. While these insects may not be the direct result of climate change, warming winters allow the expansion of populations of these damaging insects. In New Hampshire, the insect losses may not be quite so dire as regions to our south though, as our colder climate and higher elevation sites appear to discourage hemlock adelgid Another issue is earthworms There are no native North American earthworms. In Pennsylvania especially, forest regeneration is being greatly impacted by earthworms as well as extensive herbivor y by deer In New Hampshire, the old growth is more northerly and tends to occur at higher elevations less suitable to deer and some exotic insects

DA: The UNH Cooperative Ex tension is hosting an old growth conference on September 21–23 in Moultonborough. Tell me more about that.

CK: The main goal is to provide a forum

Learn More:

for the sharing of knowledge of the state of old growth forests, what recent research has emerged, and why these forests are more important than might have been realized There will be sessions on many diverse topics organized into four themes: forest ecology, dynamics, and biodiversity; balancing preservation and management; climate change implications; and health and wellness impacts and benefits A series of field trips to local old growth forest sites will be led by experienced interpretive guides Wellness hikes will also be led on the conference grounds.

There have been times when interest in old forests had dissipated, but now there seems to be a resurgence, perhaps due to the expansion of media coverage generally And so it seemed like it was time to offer another conference to help meet this interest

DA: S eems like there is still missing information about locations and status of old forests?

CK: The default public assumption seems to be either that there is none left or that a l l o l d f o r e s t a r e a s i n N e w H a m p s h i r e h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n i n v e s t i g a t e d a n d documented. But the reality is that the knowledge base is still expanding Because there has been no comprehensive statewide effort to date, different forest areas are known to different researchers and i n s t i t u t i o n s . T h e N H N a t u r a l H e r i t a g e Bureau is in a good position to consolid a t e t h i s k n o w l e d g e b a s e a n d a d v a n c e research about our old growth forests. And this year Natural Heritage is pursuing that goal. The conference will be a great opportunity to share the understanding of what we already know about old growth, what we are still finding today, and what might remain to be discovered

D a v e A n d e r s o n i s t h e s e n i o r d i r e c t o r o f education for the Forest Society

To register or for more information about the upcoming old growth conference, visit extension.unh.edu/eastern- old-growth-forest- conference.

Watch a documentar y by filmmaker Ray Asselin about Mount Sunapee’s old- growth forest at forestsociety.org/primeval-sunapee.

A Small Victory for Conservation

By Matt Leahy

Every session of the New Hampshire

L e g i s l a t u r e c o n s i d e r s b i g p o l i c y questions The 2023 session was no different. In addition to approving the operating budget for the state government for the next two years, the Legislature also debated such issues as the expansion of renewable energy sources, the reauthorization of the New Hampshire Medicaid Program, and how to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Not surprisingly, issues like these generate the most attention in newspapers and online. On the flip side, smaller stories sometimes don’t garner as much attention despite their relavancy.

Such was the case during this year’s legislative session with the passage of a bill that strengthened New Hampshire’s Agricultural Land Preser vation Program (ALP). As summer is in full swing and many farm stands are bursting with fruits and vegetables for sale, there is no better time to celebrate this good news.

The state first established ALP in the early 1980s to give the New Hampshire D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e , M a r k e t s & Food (DAMF) the ability to conser ve i m p o r t a n t f a r m l a n d a c r o s s N e w

h i r e I t d i d t h a t b y h o l d i n g c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s e m e n t s o n p r o p e r t i e s p r o t e c t e d w i t h A L P f u n d s O v e r t i m e , unfortunately, funding for ALP dried up and the program was unable to protect a d d i t i o n a l a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o p e r t i e s However, the need to conserve important farmlands and high value soils did not diminish. In fact, the opposite became apparent as more of that type of terrain was

converted into other uses Simultaneously, the public began asking for more locally produced food. In response, DAMF and elected officials began to ask what New H a m p s h i r e s h o u l d d o t o m a i n t a i n t h e state’s agricultural heritage They took an important step several years ago at the request of DAMF Commissioner Shawn Jasper by appropriating about 1 2 million dollars for ALP.

In 2021, the Forest Society worked with the Cox family (acting through Westwick Farming, LLC) to buy a conservation easement on a 36-acre parcel of land that was recently acquired by the family as an addition to Tuckaway Farm in Lee, N.H. The existing farm is already conserved with a conservation easement

The Forest Society is currently working with Rob and Sherri Morrill and the Morrill Dairy Farm to purchase a conservation easement on approx 208 acres of their farm property in Penacook, N H The farm is operated by the Rob and Sherri Morrill and their three sons, Andy, Kevin, and Ryan.

DAMF and other stakeholders realized the department did not have capacity to manage and monitor ALP, including the additional projects that would be added i n t o t h e p r o g r a m . T h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e ’s N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s C o n s e r v a t i o n S e r v i c e ( N R C S ) p r o v i d e s matching funds to help protect farmland, but the rules of ALP did not align with the federal program. That meant that projects that would use ALP would be unable to tap into NRCS assistance, and all these constraints were limiting the state’s ability to maximize the program’s benefits

T h e u p s i d e t o a l l o f t h i s i s N e w Hampshire has a skilled land trust community that has protected thousands of acres of farmland here These organizations have the expertise and capacity to take on the responsibilities of protecting a n d s t e w a r d i n g a d d i t i o n a l a g r i c u l t u r a l land, but would usually require multiple funding sources to take on these projects

With that in mind, the Legislature considered and approved House Bill 221. In fact, the bill passed unanimously out of the committees in each body that heard the testimony Its enactment means ALP i s n o w c o m p a t i b l e w i t h o t h e r f u n d i n g sources, including those of NRCS. Adding ALP into this toolbox of support programs will mean better outcomes for the protection of our state’s agricultural and farming community

There are two other notable points about HB 221: First, the passage of the bill highlights recognition by lawmakers of the value of conservation Second, it underscores the importance of the partnership between land trusts and the state, and the valuable role land trusts play in helping the state advance its conservation priorities.

True, the approval of HB 221 is not at the same scale as the passage of the Weeks Act or the Land and Water Conservation Fund Yet, as small as it is, the passage of HB 221 is still a victor y for conser vation and worthy of a shout-out

C E L E B R A T E

S O M E T H I N G W I L D ' S

2 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y !

S U N D A Y , O C T O B E R 1

B E T H L E H E M

F A M I L Y U N D A Y

1 P M T O 4 P M

M e e t H o s t s D a v e A n d e r s o n & C h r i s M a r t i n

T a k e a h o r s e - d r a w n w a g o n r i d e

L e a r n a b o u t s o l a r p o w e r f r o m

F R E E ! L O C A T I O N :

F O R E S T S O C I E T Y N O R T H

A T T H E R O C K S

R e V i s i o n E n e r g y ' s S u n s q u a t c h

F o o d & R e k' -l i s b e e r f o r p u r c h a s e

R S V P : t i n y u r l . c o m / S W b e t h l e h e m

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

The Rocks is on a Roll

We Need You to Help Br ing Us Across the Finish Line!

As you read in this issue, we are l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o w e l c o m i n g you to Forest Society North at The Rocks for our 122nd Annual Meeting on September 23 The event marks a major milestone in both our campaign and the physical transformation of The Rocks We are excited to welcome people back to this special place after many months of construction closure and to offer a peek at the twenty-first century chapter that is beginning there

We ’ v e c o m e a l o n g w a y s i n c e t h e February night in 2019 when a fire ripped through our beloved historic buildings, leaving a sad pile of slushy ash. Today, a much happier scene is emerging The Olmsted-designed formal garden is in full bloom. A new amphitheater built from o l d g r a n i t e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e s b o a s t s a stunning view of the White Mountains’ Kilkenny and Presidential ranges And the 1884 Carriage Barn is amid its renovation as a net-zero program center, still retaining its grand stone and shingle character while incorporating new technology.

Our vision of creating a North Country hub of activity is coming to fruition. It won’t be complete on September 23, but it is turning toward the home stretch

We need you to help us cross that finish

line!

The Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign is an effort to raise $8 5 million to support the renovation and re-envisioning of The Rocks This includes investing in the Christmas Tree Farm facility; creating a new flow to the landscape, including the amphitheater; renovating the Carriage Barn; creating both indoor and outdoor c l a s s r o o m a n d e v e n t s p a c e s ; h o u s i n g more Forest Society staff with offices, so we can ser ve the North Countr y from a local base; and improving wayfinding and interpretation throughout the property to

This summer the tap of woodpeckers and screech of catbirds is replaced by pounding hammers and buzzing saws at The Rocks. The loud symphony heralds exciting signs of progress in the transformation of the Rocks As drawings and sketches are coming to life, grass is growing in the new amphitheater, the Carriage Barn is re-sided in traditional Rocks Red shingle, and geothermal wells are in place.

make all feel welcome Part of this effort also includes raising a $2 million endowment, an investment for future programs and operations

We are about 70 percent to our goal, which leaves $2.5 million left to raise.

You can be part of the stor y of The Rocks by donating today Each gift has a tangible impact that you will see in the s t o n e w a l l s , w a l k w a y s , t o w e r i n g p o s t and beam rafters, panoramic windows, and picnic spots overlooking the White Mountains for many years to come

A n d , b e y o n d t h e c a p i t a l i m p r o v ements, the Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign is also an investment in the Forest Society’s ser vice in the North Country Already, with more staff locally based, we have more than ten new projects underway We will soon complete the 3,700-acre Mahoosuc Highlands project in Shelburne, forever safeguarding an outstanding working forest and recreation a r e a . O u r w o r k w i t h l a n d o w n e r s a n d communities in the North Countr y will continue to grow into the future.

So, now is the time Please make your gift today or contact Vice President of Development Anne Truslow if you would like more information Planned gifts, gifts of stock, or IRA distributions are welcome, and naming opportunities are available

YES, I WOULD LIKE TO

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

We hope to see you in September at the Annual Meeting, and don’t forget that

Online

cut-your-own Christmas Tree season starts right after Thanksgiving!

For the latest updates on construc tion at The Rocks, including video presentations, visit forestsociety.org/the -rocks/about/restoration

Enclosed is my tax- deductible contribution of $ VI S A MasterCard Number:

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

Or donate online at forestsociety.org/the-rocks

For more information, call Anne Truslow at 603-224-9945 or email atruslow@forestsociety org

Staff based at Forest Society North at The Rocks will be better positioned to work on local land conservation projects, including the Mahoosuc Highlands in Shelburne (pictured)

join us for our 122nd Annual Meeting and grand re - opening of Forest Society Nor th at The Rocks S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 3 • B E T H L E H E M , N H

Thanks

1. Protecting a Family Forest in Bethlehem | Underhill Acres Tree Farm

2. Walk the Tom Howe Trail or Go Fly-fishing | Ammonoosuc River Forest

3. Horse - drawn Histor y and Wildlife Tour | The Rocks

4. Christmas Tree Farm Tour | The Rocks

5. The Path to Net Zero and Energy Efficienc y | The Rocks

M

9:00–11:00 a.m. Field trips (optional) and ongoing tours of the renovated Carriage Barn

11:30 a.m. Registration opens at the Carriage Barn Program Center

12:00 p.m. Lunch: Featuring Chef Joe’s Catering and Rocks Red Ale by Rek’-Lis Brewing Company

1:00 p.m. Business Meeting, Recognitions and Conser vationist of the Year Award

2:00 p.m. A Journey to the White Mountains in Words and Music by Howard Mansfield and Ben Cosgrove

CO S T: Registration includes field trips, lunch, and program.

Early Bird: $50/person (Registration deadline September 1)

Regular Price: $55/person (Registration deadline September 15)

C H R I S W H I T O N

at The Rocks.