230-acre acquisition continues a century-long conservation effort on one of New Hampshire’s most iconic peaks
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- Land Conservation
Thanks to the generosity of more than 425 private donors, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) successfully acquired and conserved 230 acres of critical land at the summit of Mt. Kearsarge.
These lands were some of the final remaining "inholdings"—private land located within the boundaries of a state park—behind the entrance gate of Mt. Kearsarge State Forest. For decades, these lands remained in private ownership despite being located within the state forest’s footprint. Their conservation ensures that the scenic integrity and ecological health of the mountain remain intact for future generations.
“For over a century, the Forest Society has worked to protect the lands on and around Mt. Kearsarge with the goal of holding them in the public trust,” said Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. “Had it not been conserved, this land could have been developed as private camp lots, despite sitting behind the state forest gates.”
The Forest Society’s history at Mt. Kearsarge dates to 1918, when it purchased an initial 521-acre tract later named Rollins Memorial Park in honor of Governor Frank West Rollins, a founder of the Forest Society. That land was transferred to the state in 1950 to establish the State Forest. The new 230-acre addition contributes to a corridor of over 9,500 acres conserved on and around the mountain thanks to cooperation between the Forest Society, the State of New Hampshire, local towns, and regional land trusts.
The newly protected land features frontage along Kearsarge Mountain Road and contains important high-elevation habitats. According to the NH Wildlife Action Plan, nearly the entire 230-acre area is ranked as Tier 1 habitat—the highest designation for biological diversity in the state.
The entire $500,000 project cost was raised from private sources thanks to the generosity of more than 425 individual donors.
“The community support for this project was outstanding,” Savage added. “It is a testament to how much people love this mountain.”
Mt. Kearsarge remains one of the most accessible peaks in the region. Visitors can drive to high elevations before hiking the Rollins Trail to the 2,937-foot summit. The open ledges offer panoramic views of Smarts Mountain, Mt. Cardigan, Ragged Mountain, the White Mountains, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. To the southwest, views extend to Lake Sunapee and Mt. Sunapee, and, on clear days, the Boston skyline.
