Forest Society Blog - News & Features

Dave reflects on how a childhood discovery—a bird’s nest hidden in a Christmas tree—sparked a lasting connection to nature, memory, and place. From suburban New Jersey to New Hampshire forests, it celebrates the quiet power of early encounters with the natural world.

This reflection weaves together the rhythms of ecological change with a transition behind the microphone at Something Wild. As forests, wildlife communities, and seasons evolve, so too does the show—marking Chris Martin’s retirement as co-host and welcoming Grace McCulloch to carry the conversation forward, reminding us that change is not an ending, but a continuation.

Behind every great day in the forest are the hands that make our trails safe, sustainable, and accessible. Discover the standout stewardship projects of 2025 and celebrate the volunteers and partners who help care for more than 200 of our forests.

The Les Clark Nature Trail behind our Conservation Center in Concord is open again! After several weeks of upgrades, the quarter-mile path now meets federal accessibility standards with a smoother surface, new benches overlooking Mill Brook and the Merrimack River, and a small turnaround near the river kiosk.

The Forest Society has expanded the conserved landscape in the Belknap Range to 1,050 acres. The newly protected ridgeline and headwater forests—made possible with support from state and local conservation partners—will safeguard wildlife habitat, views, and local drinking water.

Northern saw-whet owls are among New Hampshire’s tiniest — and most elusive — forest residents, but a recent visit to the Black Mountain Banding Station offered a rare chance to see these pint-sized nocturnal raptors up close. Through Project Owlnet, banders are helping uncover the mysteries of saw-whet migration, biology, and behavior, one adorable owl at a time.

Extreme birder Gino Ellison joined Something Wild to share how his 2023 Big Year led him across 78,000 miles and to an incredible 802 bird species. He reflects on what drives dedicated “listers” and why anyone can try their own Big Year—right in their backyard.

The Forest Society is proud to receive the 2025 Employer Leadership Award from the Society of American Foresters, recognizing our longstanding support for professional development and leadership in sustainable forestry.