Cottrell-Baldwin Series 2026
The Forest Society, along with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, presents the annual Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture series, with topics that touch on historic preservation, wildlife, and land conservation. The series takes place Tuesdays, in March and April from 7-8:30 p.m., at Fox Forest’s Henry I. Baldwin Environmental Center in Hillsborough. The series is free and open to the public. Prior registration is strongly encouraged; however, walk-ins will be welcome. Learn more and register for programs below.
Tuesday, March 17, 7-8:30 p.m. (Register Here)
Presenter: Elizabeth Peel, N.H. Bureau of Historic SitesOne Disaster at a Time: The History of Crawford Notch
What do a giant, a hermit, a dentist, and a man named Frankenstein all have in common? They are some of the eclectic characters which make up the legends and myths of Crawford Notch. From the devastating 1826 landslide which resulted in the deaths of the Willey family to the rise of industrialization and implementation of the railroad, this small stretch of land has been the epicenter of White Mountains tourism for centuries. Join Elizabeth Peel from the N.H. State Parks' Bureau of Historic Sites to discover how natural disasters, ambitious pioneers, and determined preservation groups shaped the development and legacy of Crawford Notch State Park.
Tuesday, March 24, 7-8:30 p.m. (Register Here)
Presenters: Kyle Lombard, Bill Davidson and Ryan Crandall; N.H. Forest Health Bureau"The State of Forest Health in New Hampshire"
The last time the N.H. Division of Forests & Lands’ Forest Health Bureau spoke at the Cottrell-Baldwin series, we discussed the looming threat of Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorn Beetle, Spruce Budworm seemed a thing of the past, Gypsy Moth (now Spongy Moth) seemed to be under control and Beech Bark Disease was the big issue for American Beech. What a difference a decade+ makes! Emerald ash borer is in every county, Beech Leaf Disease is now threatening our beech, Spongy Moth defoliation has re-entered the picture, and words like “aftermath forest” have entered our lexicon. We’ll share updates on the current state of Forest Health in New Hampshire – including threats and promising solutions.
Tuesday, March 31, 7-8:30 p.m. (Register Here)
Presenter: Susi Spikol, Harris Center for Conservation Education"Winter Mammal Tracking in New Hampshire: Get on Track"
Join Harris Center naturalist and author Susie Spikol for an evening all about the wild mammals in your backyard and beyond. From tracks and scat to browse and burrows, find out how to read the wild landscape around you and make sense of the signs animals leave behind. Deepen your connection to the fields and forests by learning how to practice this ancient skill. Find out not only how to recognize patterns of movement, tracks, and sign but also where the best places are to search for bobcat, otter, and moose during the winter months.
Tuesday, April 7, 7-8:30 p.m. (Register Here)
Presenter: Dave Anderson, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests“New Hampshire Forests – Past, Present and Future: 125 years Protecting NH Landscapes and Landmarks Mammal Tracking in New Hampshire"
This is the story of the landscape and legacy of forest conservation. How has New Hampshire been shaped by the forethought and generosity of the people leading forest conservation and land protection success over the past century and a quarter – since 1901.
Where are forests conserved? What is the economic value of open space? What challenges face New Hampshire forests today and in the future? How can residents address the challenges of forest health by keeping forests as forests in our growing state? Join us to consider how conservation of forests, wildlife habitats and recreation trails for future generations is core to identity of NH communities and economy.