Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH.

Since 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) has worked to conserve the state's most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources.

We take the word “Society” in our name pretty seriously. What’s it mean to be part of a society? For us, it means coming...
09/08/2026

We take the word “Society” in our name pretty seriously. What’s it mean to be part of a society? For us, it means coming together as a group of like-minded folks moved to action by both concern and hope. It means planning for the future, celebrating our wins, acknowledging our challenges, and honoring our past. And every year we do just that at our Annual Meeting.

If you’ve never attended, this year in particular—as we celebrate our 125th anniversary—is shaping up to be a rather special event. Jam packed with guided field trips exploring our historic role in conserving the state’s forests, a buffet lunch, business meeting, awards, recognitions, and a keynote speech… it’s an occasion you won’t want to miss.

This year, we’re holding our Annual Meeting at The Rocks in Bethlehem on Saturday, September 26th. And we’re thrilled to welcome as our keynote speaker Dr. Tony D’Amato, Professor of Forestry and Director of the Forestry Program at the University of Vermont. A nationally recognized expert in ecological forestry and forest adaptation, D’Amato’s research focuses on managing forests in a changing world while sustaining the many benefits they provide.

Click the link in our bio or head on over to our website to learn more, check out the field trips, and sign up!

09/05/2026

Vista and Vibes this year at The Rocks was pure late summer magic. Thank you to Wicked Smart Horn Band for putting on such a great show and to everyone that came out to enjoy the fresh air and solid tunes. We’ve never seen this many people here at once!

The most common thing we heard from folks all day: “we didn’t even know this was here.” Welp, we’re here, it’s beautiful, and you should definitely visit.

1,400 acres of conserved land with a working Christmas tree farm, maple tours, gift shop, event space, walking paths, net-zero facilities, stunning views, and friendly staff to help you learn all about the work we do across the state to protect NH’s forests.

🚨 Update! We’ve rescheduled the Bald Cap Peak Forest hike to Wednesday, September 9th due to spicy weather. ☔️ Chilly ni...
09/02/2026

🚨 Update! We’ve rescheduled the Bald Cap Peak Forest hike to Wednesday, September 9th due to spicy weather. ☔️

Chilly nights, crisp air, and those giant Halloween skeletons at every hardware store. Like it or not (and we’re still very much enjoying the summer vibes) autumn is just around the corner. And that means… fall hikes!

We’ve got six guided group hikes coming up as part of our annual 5 Hikes Challenge and we’d love for you to come join us. They’re free hikes at some of our most iconic forests throughout the state. And best of all: anyone can join, even if you’re not signed up for 5 Hikes Challenge.

So if you’re looking to explore beautiful trails and meet new hiking pals all while basking in that early autumn air—we’re looking for you.

The first is coming up this Thursday, September 3rd at Bald Cap Peak Forest in Shelburne, so sign up while you can.

Check the link in our bio or head on over to our website to RSVP for a guided hike and learn all about our annual 5 Hikes Challenge.

Chilly nights, crisp air, and those giant Halloween skeletons at every hardware store. Like it or not (and we’re still v...
08/29/2026

Chilly nights, crisp air, and those giant Halloween skeletons at every hardware store. Like it or not (and we’re still very much enjoying the summer vibes) autumn is just around the corner. And that means… fall hikes!

We’ve got six guided group hikes coming up as part of our annual 5 Hikes Challenge and we’d love for you to come join us. They’re free hikes at some of our most iconic forests throughout the state. And best of all: anyone can join, even if you’re not signed up for 5 Hikes Challenge.

So if you’re looking to explore beautiful trails and meet new hiking pals all while basking in that early autumn air—we’re looking for you.

The first is coming up this Thursday, September 3rd at Bald Cap Peak Forest in Shelburne, so sign up while you can.

Check the link in our bio or head on over to our website to RSVP for a guided hike and learn all about our annual 5 Hikes Challenge.

Did you know that the Forest Society offers field trips? We sure do. They’re unique ways to explore the special places w...
08/26/2026

Did you know that the Forest Society offers field trips?

We sure do. They’re unique ways to explore the special places we’re working hard to protect—and a bit more adventurous than the grade school trips you remember from childhood. Plus, you don’t have to save up your allowance for a gift shop tchotchke.

We’ve got one coming up this Thursday, August 27th in Hancock, NH. Choose between a rugged bushwhack up Rollstone Mountain (seriously, this one is... strenuous and we’re pretty stoked about it) or a flatwater canoeing expedition on pristine Lake Nubanusit. Learn about our efforts, in partnership with the Harris Center, to conserve and protect this rugged and beautiful landscape known as the Nelson Highlands.

Before your hike or paddle, you’ll get a chance to learn all about this project and ask questions of Forest Society and Harris Center staff.

Why is this 650-acre property so important? One word: connection. Large blocks of connected land create vital corridors for wildlife, support biodiversity, and protect entire ecosystems at scale to reduce the ecological effects of fragmentation. For habitat, watershed, and viewshed (it’s spectacularly scenic, friends), Nelson Highlands is a place worth protecting. And we think if you see it—you’ll agree. So come join us, break a sweat, and learn all about it.

For more info and to RSVP, check out our website.

A heartfelt thank you to all who came out, braved the heat, and joined us for Open Woods Day earlier this month. All acr...
08/18/2026

A heartfelt thank you to all who came out, braved the heat, and joined us for Open Woods Day earlier this month. All across the state, landowners welcomed folks onto their properties to show off the landscapes they love so much that they chose to permanently protect them. From hiking trails through thick forest to wildflower fields and working farms, there was plenty to explore.

So much of the work we do relies upon strong partnerships with conservation easement landowners, and Open Woods Day was a great reminder of those relationships.

For decades now, landowners have invited Forest Society staff monitoring conservation easements onto their porches and into their kitchens for a cold drink on a hot summer day. And that, inevitably, leads to fascinating stories about the land, its history, and why it means so much to the people who protected it.

Each of those interactions was its own miniature Open Woods Day—and we loved being able to finally share that with the public.

Gillingham Farm in Newbury, the Schendler family in Goshen, the Hager family in New Hampton, and the Sterns in Canterbury in particular went above and beyond to help us plan the day. We so very much appreciate you and your efforts. Lastly, a thank you to our event sponsors, Gilsum Village Store and Monadnock Food Co-op, for their in-kind donations of tasty snacks and beverages that we were able to offer our guests.

How does careful forest management affect our lands in the long run? Find out firsthand as we explore a tract of land cl...
08/13/2026

How does careful forest management affect our lands in the long run? Find out firsthand as we explore a tract of land close to popular hiking trails and one of the most climbed mountains in the world.

Since 1915, we’ve been managing forests around Monadnock—making it an excellent example of how thoughtful planning and harvesting can foster resiliency and help grow the next generation of forests.

Join Forest Society and UNH Extension staff alongside professional foresters on Wednesday, August 19th for a rugged hike and fascinating exploration of forest management in the Monadnock region.

Learn about the past, present, and future of forest management and how forestry prescriptions (our fav kind of Rx around these parts) have changed the forest while also adding value. You’ll be on trail and off, so plan for a true adventure. See our website to learn more and sign up!

Have you had a chance to visit our Creek Farm Education Center in Portsmouth? With coastal walking paths, historic build...
08/12/2026

Have you had a chance to visit our Creek Farm Education Center in Portsmouth? With coastal walking paths, historic buildings, and shoreline access, it’s a dreamy spot for some low tide exploring.

Ample Parking? ✅ Check.
Great public restrooms? ✅✅ Also Check.
Educational programing? ✅✅✅ Also also check.

Enjoy peak summer on the coast and see our website for upcoming events at Creek Farm—including a tide pool family hike on Saturday, August 22nd.

September 10th through September 14th we’ll be holding our 20th annual Monadnock Trails Week in partnership with NH Stat...
08/10/2026

September 10th through September 14th we’ll be holding our 20th annual Monadnock Trails Week in partnership with NH State Parks. And we think you should join us.
 
Monadnock is often cited as one of the most climbed mountains in the world. Locals, day trippers, and tourists alike flock to Monadnock State Park and the surrounding trails. Stewarding Monadnock has been part of the Forest Society’s work since first conserving 600 acres in 1915. Over the last century, that number has grown to more than 4,000 acres and the land is now co-managed with NH State Parks. Throughout that long history, we’ve certainly learned that trails so well-loved require constant, intentional maintenance.
 
Like most of New England’s trail systems, Monadnock’s hiking paths date back more than 100 years and were originally designed for horses, carriages, and efficient movement from point A to point B; neither recreation nor long-term sustainability were part of their design. Minimizing erosion, building reroutes, and abating ecological impact takes lots of time and effort. There’s always something to be done.
 
That’s where you come in: Monadnock Trails Week! Since 2006 we’ve been matching volunteers to stewardship projects, allowing our volunteers’ time and effort to be directed at impactful projects based on their experience and comfort level. If you love Monadnock, if you use and adore those trails—come turn that enthusiasm and energy into care. We’d love to have you.
 
There are projects for every skill level, from painting picnic tables and clearing vegetation to trail reroutes and bridge work, with opportunities available on weekdays and weekends. Any schedule, any skill level. Help us give back to the trails you love.
 
Registration closes August 21st—we really do take the time to match every single volunteer to an appropriate project and it takes us a hot second to sort through—so head on over ASAP to our website (or the link in our bio!) to sign up.

Welp, it happened: our seasonal field techs got jealous. Since highlighting our forestry interns, these two won’t stop ...
08/06/2026

Welp, it happened: our seasonal field techs got jealous. Since highlighting our forestry interns, these two won’t stop sending us goofy photos from the field. Subtle, guys. Really subtle.

Meet Jonathan and Galen! As seasonal field techs, they’re hard at work in our forests making sure that the land we protect is properly cared for. It’s not exactly glamorous work: there’s lots of heavy lifting, digging ditches, trail repair, and swatting at mosquitoes all day long. But these two do it with a smile, all to make sure that your visit to our lands and trails is enjoyable and safe. Thanks for all the hard work, you two.

Jonathan Williams joins us for his first season in the conservation field after finishing school at the University of Florida. He grew up in the Sunshine State and came to NH last summer. Since moving, he’s been enjoying everything that NH’s spectacular outdoor scene has to offer and loves working outside in our beautiful natural areas.

This is Galen Kilbride’s fourth season working in conservation. In the winter he operates ski lifts at a local mountain in southern NH. He prefers jobs in the outdoors, where his office can be out in the forests and fields under an open sky.

Swipe to learn some fun facts about these two and see photographic evidence of just how tough their job can be sometimes: hauling off a busted chest freezer filled with food that someone dumped at one of our forests. Please don’t do that. It’s not cool.

Address

54 Portsmouth Street
Concord, NH
03301

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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