- Spring Ledge Farm and Messer Farm Walking Tour, New London
Join us for a leisurely walking tour of iconic Spring Ledge Farm in New London, a fruit, vegetable and flower farm that has served the Lake Sunapee area for more than 50 years. Much of Spring Ledge Farm is protected by a conservation easement with the Ausbon-Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT). Recently, the Forest Society and ASLPT collaborated to protect the 144-acre Messer Farm, which includes 21 acres now leased to Spring Ledge Farm for additional agricultural capacity. We’ll visit both the Messer Farm fields and Spring Ledge Farm, with healthy snacks provided!
Leaders: Carrie Deegan, VP for Stewardship and Engagement; Andy Deegan, ASLPT; Greg Berger, Spring Ledge Farm.
Time: 9:00-10:30am; Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Project in Progress: Visit to Mt. Kearsarge, Warner
The Forest Society is currently working to conserve 230 acres on the high slopes of Mt. Kearsarge as an addition to Mt. Kearsarge State Forest and Rollins State Park. We’ll drive up the 3 ½ mile scenic auto road, stopping along the way to view the two properties the Forest Society is working to acquire. We’ll continue to the Rollins State Park parking area and picnic area to talk about 100 years of collaboration to conserve Mt. Kearsarge, while enjoying panoramic views. Those who would like may hike to the summit for an even more spectacular view. The hike is one mile round trip and a gain in elevation of 300 feet – there is one steep section.
Leaders: Brian Hotz, VP for Land Conservation
Time: 8:30 – 11:00 am; Level of Difficulty: You choose: Easy or Moderately Strenuous
- Forests and History at the Hay Forest, Newbury
Join Dave Anderson and Wendy Weisiger for a moderately strenuous walk along the Sunset Hill Trail in Newbury to reach a scenic view of Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee. We’ll pass through a 2025 timber harvest along the trail and discuss sustainable forestry goals and techniques, and the impact of climate change on our forests. We’ll also learn about the history of the Hay Forest and Mount Sunapee, including vignettes from the writings of John Hay.
Leaders: Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education and Wendy Weisiger, Managing Forester
Time: 8:30-11:30am; Level of Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous – 2.4 miles round trip with 550 ft gain in elevation
- Explore The Rydstrom Family Forest, Bradford
The 1,328-acre Rydstrom Family Forest is one of the Forest Society’s most recent acquisitions. Located in the heart of the Quabbin to Cardigan landscape that traces the central spine of New Hampshire, this land links with other conserved lands and large ownerships, including the Town of Bradford’s Aiken Pasture Town Forest, the Forest Society’s Andrews Easement in Hillsborough, and nearby Bradford Bog properties held by Ausbon-Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT). This sneak peek hike of a newly conserved forest will follow a woods road to see wetlands and we’ll discuss the unique habitat and resources on the site.
Leaders: Steve Junkin and Ben Aldrich, Field Foresters
Time: 9:00 – 11:00; Level of Difficulty: Uneven terrain, moderately strenuous.