In 1885, the New Hampshire Forest Commission reported
Instead of cutting only timber that is matured, everything is cut to the size of five or six inches in diameter, and what remains is cut into firewood or burned at once, leaving a dreary waste. In Lancaster, the timber and wood are nearly all gone and the mountains are being stripped to their summits. Originally a dense forest covered our state. This magnificent forest has long since disappeared.
Six years later, a group of citizens formed the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, spurred by the need to stop the reckless destruction of the White Mountains by timber barons. In 1911, thanks to the persistence of the Forest Society, and many other supporters, the Weeks Act was passed, allowing for the creation and protection of the White Mountain National Forest.
So began the Forest Society's journey to protect New Hampshire's landscape. We have reached many more milestones along the way
Forest Society reservations their location, size and date of purchase
Forest Society easements a full list is coming soon
Forest Society-protected land to date*
Type of protection | Number of properties | Total acreage |
|
Forest Society reservations | 157 | 42,798 |
Forest Society-held conservation easements (grantee and executory) | 631 | 98,625 |
Land transferred with deed restrictions | 93 | 13,241 |
|
Totals | 881 | 154,664 |
* The Forest Society also provides assistance to land trusts, municipalities, state and federal agencies, and other conservation organizations to protect additional land throughout the state.
