Congressman Chris Pappas tours Bartlett with local foresters and Forest Society Policy Director, Matt Leahy.
Rep. Chris Pappas recently toured the Bartlett Experimental Forest (Bartlett, NH) with local foresters and the Forest Society’s Policy Director, Matt Leahy. Pappas’ tour comes on the heels of Bartlett’s proposed closure, one of 57 experimental forests slated to be shuttered as part of broader US Forest Service organizational changes directed by the Department of Agriculture.
For now, Bartlett’s closure has been postponed; thanks to bipartisan action by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Gov. Kelly Ayotte the experimental forest is now classified as “requiring further study” before any action can be taken.
Experimental forests have produced voluminous research on forestry and wildlife, with more than 500 publications by Forest Service scientists and collaborators since their creation in 1931. This body of research offers valuable insights into sustainable forest management for both public and private landowners—contributing to better forest health, productivity, and the region’s forest products economy.
Rep. Maggie Goodlander also had a recent visit to Bartlett, just after she and Pappas jointly introduced legislation to block Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins from implementing the closures without congressional approval.
Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Thornton, NH has been removed from the closure list.
