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.
Field Trips
Water Quality and Forest Management at Massabesic – Mountain Bike Tour
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Little Massabesic Pond, Auburn
The Lake Massabesic watershed collects and stores rainfall to provide drinking water for 159,000 people in the region. Many species of wildlife live in these 8,000 acres of land. Manchester Water Works (MWW) is responsible for providing drinking water and fire protection to the City of Manchester and many surrounding communities. Watershed management also includes active forestry. MWW annually performs a selective timber harvest on about 300 acres to develop the best tree cover for the forest environment and promote controlled water retention and runoff.
Bicycle tour around Little Massabesic Pond. BYO bicycle and gear, including helmet, water, clothing, etc.
Trip Leaders: Denise Vaillancourt and Chris Wells, both of the Forest Society, with Jack Chapman of FOMBA
Difficulty: Challenging
Co-sponsor: Friends of Massabesic Bicycling Association
Water Quality and Forest Management at Massabesic – Walking Tour
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Battery Point, Auburn
The Lake Massabesic watershed collects and stores rainfall to provide drinking water for 159,000 people in the region. Many species of wildlife live in these 8,000 acres of land. Manchester Water Works (MWW) is responsible for providing drinking water and fire protection to the City of Manchester and many surrounding communities. Watershed management also includes active forestry. MWW annually performs a selective timber harvest on about 300 acres to develop the best tree cover for the forest environment and promote controlled water retention and runoff.
Naturalist-guided walking tour to scenic Battery Point on Lake Massabesic, site of a former historic hotel.
Trip Leaders: Dave Anderson and Ken Stern from the Forest Society, John O'Niel from MWW
Difficulty: Easy walking on level hiking trails
Co-sponsor: Manchester Water Works
Hands on the Land: Two Families' Love for the Land in Candia
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Natt Emerson Forest, Abe Emerson Marsh, and the Pearson Family Tree Farm, Candia
Learn more about how an abiding love for the land has managed to keep this gateway to Candia green in the face of persistent development pressure. This trip will focus on the Forest Society's Natt Emerson Forest, the Audubon Society's Abe Emerson Marsh, and the Pearson Family Tree Farm in Candia. The Pearson family has harvested thousands of board feet of timber over the years. This working white pine tree farm is at the center of an area that has seen many changes.
Trip Leader: Dan Sundquist, Forest Society
Difficulty: Moderate
Historical Farms, Forest, and Frontage on the Piscataquog
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nixon property, New Boston Library, and Alan and Edgar Rice Natural Area, New Boston and Lyndeborough
Tour conservation land in New Boston with the Piscataquog Land Conservancy and the Forest Society. We'll drive to the conserved 75-acre Nixon property on Old Coach Road, where we'll hike well-maintained trails to the South Branch of the Piscataquog River. After lunch at the New Boston Library on the banks of the South Branch, we'll hike the Two Brooks Trail at the Alan and Edgar Rice Natural Area in Lyndeborough.
Trip Leaders: Paul Doscher, Forest Society and Gordon Russell, Piscataquog Land Conservancy
Difficulty: Moderate
Co-sponsor: The Piscataquog Land Conservancy
Special Events
109th Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 11
Camp Carpenter, Manchester
Join us for the Forest Society's 109th Annual Meeting featuring David Foster of the Harvard Forest as the keynote speaker. Lots of field trips to choose from! Space is limited, so register early. Click here for details.
Exhibits at the Conservation Center
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.
Diane Orzel: "Natural New Hampshire"
Sunday, August 1 through Thursday, September 30
This pen and ink/watercolor exhibit captures quiet scenes found within the forest preserves of New Hampshire. Wilton artist Diane Orzel grew up observing nature and creating artworks depicting scenes from her experience. She often works on site, doing quick sketches in unusual settings, such as halfway up a tree or at the edge of a snowy trail. At other times, she uses photo references to capture details such as unique lighting or colors, then completes the pieces in the studio using her memories, imagination, and knowledge of wildlife to enhance the scenes.