Field Trips and Events
Come explore New Hampshire and rediscover what makes living here so special! The Forest Society offers a full program of fun, educational field trips, workshops and events designed to meet your interests and celebrate the people and places of this great state.
Choose from a wide range of activities – for all ability levels – held throughout the state.
January, February, and March
Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem
Sled dog tours are a great way to see the trail system at The Rocks Estate, which meanders above an apple orchard, skirts a beaver pond, and runs past several of the estate's historic buildings. Led by Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, each provides opportunities to interact with the dogs and learn the history and culture of dog sledding. Additional days offered during the last two weeks of February. Cost: $225-$275 for a 90-minute tour for two. Advance reservations required; call 603-444-6228.
March 13, 20, 21, 27, 28 and April 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem
Maple sugaring marks the end of a long New Hampshire winter and brings bright thoughts of spring. Join us to hear the legend of how maple sugaring began, discover why sap flows, and find out how to identify a tree. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon, help tap a maple tree, and learn the process of how sap changes to syrup. Tour includes a donut, sour pickles, and maple syrup.
New this year is the New Hampshire Maple Museum, which is included in the cost of entry. This rotating exhibit of maple artifacts can be viewed throughout the year in the newly renovated Sawmill-Pigpen building.
Cost: Adults $10; children $7. Reservations recommended. For information call The Rocks Estate at 603-444-6228.
Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Conservation Center, Concord
Rocks Estate Manager Nigel Manley will give a basic introduction to releasing and pruning wild apple trees during an indoor classroom session followed by outdoor field practice. Bring a bag lunch and dress appropriately for the weather. Pruning tools provided, but feel free to bring your own hand saws, pruners or loppers if you have them!
Saturday, April 10
John Stark Regional High School, Weare
Saving Special Places is New Hampshire's largest annual conservation event, featuring more than 30 workshops.
Click here for details and registration.
The annual Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture Series celebrates the environmental and scholarly legacy of Bill and Annette Cottrell and State Research Forester Henry Baldwin.
Click here for the series brochure (61 KB PDF).
All programs are held in the Henry Baldwin Classroom at Fox State Forest in Hillsborough. Click here for a map.
Pre-registration is not required; contact Tina at 224-9945 ext. 313 or 
for more information.
Tuesday, March 16, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dan DeHart, regional forester from the NH Division of Forests and Lands, will describe the history of the New Hampshire's State Forest Nursery as it celebrates its centennial and the state's efforts re-forestry efforts through tree planting. DeHart will be joined by State Nursery Forester Howie Lewis, who will share how ready-to-plant tree seedlings are propagated from seed and made available to the general public.
Tuesday, March 23, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Author, story-teller, and master stonewall builder Kevin Gardner shares the history, technique, and aesthetics of stonewall construction while building a miniature wall on a tabletop. He will also share his recent research on the role of the state white pine blister rust maps in documenting the historical extent of New Hampshire stonewalls.
Tuesday, March 30, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join noted black bear researcher Ben Kilham for a new slide-illustrated presentation describing his recent efforts to document black bear social relationships. Kilham will describe his observations of the linear matriarchal social hierarchy and reciprocal relationships and coalition formation among black bears.
Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noon
Join forestry and education staff to learn about site selection and proper planting techniques. Practice hand-on planting in a demonstration plot at Fox Forest. Take home a State Forest Nursery Special Centennial Issue white pine seedling of your own to plant with your family and friends.
Exhibits are open for viewing weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A percentage of
sales will benefit the work of the Forest Society.
Please call 603-224-9945 before visiting as the
exhibit room may be in use. It also serves as a meeting space.
Wednesday, February 17 through Friday, April 16
Eddie Durrett's Painted New England: Digital Brushes exhibit will be on display from Wednesday, February 17 through Friday, April 16 at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests' Conservation Center in Concord, NH. These digital oil paintings are from original photographs and capture the essence of scenic New Hampshire and New England as if oil paintings on board and canvas.
