Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Founded in 1901, it is one of the nation's oldest and most effective statewide land conservation organizations. The society works to perpetuate the forests, scenic landscapes, and natural character of the Granite State through land protection, stewardship, advocacy, and education. Its efforts have permanently conserved over one million acres of New Hampshire's most significant natural areas, working forests, and community spaces.

History

The organization was formed in 1901 by a group of prominent citizens, including forester Philip W. Ayres and newspaper editor John B. Gile, amid growing concern over the rapid deforestation of the White Mountains by timber companies. Its first major campaign was instrumental in the passage of the Weeks Act of 1911, a landmark federal law that authorized the creation of national forests in the eastern United States. This advocacy led directly to the establishment of the White Mountain National Forest, a cornerstone of conservation in the Northeastern United States. Throughout the 20th century, the society expanded its focus from the northern regions to statewide conservation, playing key roles in protecting areas like the Lakes Region and the Merrimack River watershed from unplanned development.

Mission and activities

The society's mission is to protect the state's most important landscapes, promote sustainable forestry, and connect people to the land. Core activities include acquiring land or conservation easements, actively managing its network of reserved forests, and advocating for sound environmental policies at the New Hampshire State House. It also provides extensive public programs, including guided hikes, workshops on maple sugaring and timber harvesting, and educational resources for schools. The organization frequently collaborates with partners like the New Hampshire Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, and local land trusts to achieve shared conservation goals.

Land conservation efforts

The society employs a multi-faceted strategy for land protection, focusing on critical wildlife habitat, productive timberlands, water resources, and recreational corridors. A primary tool is the use of conservation easements, which permanently extinguish development rights while often allowing for sustainable forestry and traditional uses. It also purchases land outright, holding it as a public good and often transferring ownership to agencies like the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation or the United States Forest Service. Major initiatives have included the "Rescue the Ridge" campaign to protect the Mount Monadnock summit and the ongoing "Forests for the Future" effort to conserve large, connected forest blocks across the state.

Notable properties

The society owns or holds easements on over 750 properties, including several iconic New Hampshire landmarks. Among its most famous holdings is the Mount Monadnock summit and much of its flanking woodlands, one of the most hiked mountains in the world. It also permanently protects the scenic Lost River Reservation in North Woodstock and the vast Moose Mountain region near Hanover. Other significant properties include the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, the McCabe Forest in Antrim, and the Pawtuckaway Mountains in Nottingham.

Organization and funding

The society is a member-supported non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. It is headquartered at the Conservation Center in Concord, a certified green building. Funding is derived from a diverse mix of private donations, membership dues, foundation grants, and government programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Revenue is also generated through sustainable timber management on its reserves and from gifts through its New Hampshire Charitable Foundation-managed conservation license plate program. The organization's financial stability and broad public support have been critical to its century-long success.

Category:Conservation organizations in the United States Category:Organizations based in New Hampshire Category:1901 establishments in New Hampshire