THE WOODPILE

Temporary Closure at The Rocks

From July 19 until mid-September, the trails and the core property at The Rocks in Bethlehem will be closed to the public to accommodate construction of a new parking lot and installation of underground utilities. The work is another phase in the Forest Society North project that started in 2020 at the reservation. Forest Society North is a restoration and renovation project which will expand and deepen our presence in the North Country and provide educational and recreational opportunities, while also fostering a community of forest landowners and land stewards for generations to come. We hope to complete the project by the summer of 2023. For more information, visit forestsociety.org/therocks.

The partial collapse of the stone staircase at Madame Sherri Forest attracted national attention.

Stairs Give Way to Nature at Madame Sherri Forest

On July 11, visitors to Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield discovered that part of the historic staircase that had once connected to Sherri’s summer house had collapsed as the mortar between the stones disintegrated. Lynne Borofsky of the Chesterfield Conservation Commission reported the top roman arch of the stone staircase, which had been in poor condition for many years, had given way. The staircase is currently roped off as the Forest Society continues to assess the situation. The hiking trails remain open across the 513-acre property.

Monadnock Trails Week Kicks Off With a Spirited Event

On July 30, the Forest Society and New Hampshire State Parks kicked off the annual Monadnock Trails Week with a “Trails and Ales” party at the outdoor beer garden at Granite Roots Brewery in Troy. The event included a Monadnock history and Leave No Trace principles trivia game and offered the opportunity for patrons to learn more about the trail work projects on Monadnock and recognize the hard work volunteers put into maintaining the reservation’s trails. Twenty-five volunteers contributed nearly 350 hours of labor on Monadnock's White Arrow and Marlboro trails and on trails at Gap Mountain.

Thank You to Our Monadnock Trails Week Business Partners!

Brewbakers Café (Keene) Dublin Road Tap Room and Eatery (Jaffrey) Eastern Mountain Sports (Peterborough) Granite Roots Brewing (Troy) Grappelli’s Brick Oven Pizza (Peterborough) Monadnock Food Co-op (Keene) Nature’s Green Grocer (Peterborough) Post and Beam Brewing (Peterborough) Station 16 Ice Cream (Jaffrey)

Save-the-Date: 31st Annual Tree Farm Field Day Saturday, October 2, 2021

Come out this fall to recognize this year’s New Hampshire Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, Charlie and Mabel Niebling, on their tree farm in Boscawen. Guided tours will be offered throughout the morning. This family-friendly event includes a kid’s scavenger hunt and our traditional pig roast barbecue lunch. Pre-registration is required by September 17. Limited tickets are available. To register and learn more, visit nhtreefarm.org.