Forest Society Blog - News & Features

Fred and Gale Tobbe of Northwood have been named the Forest Society’s 2026 Trish Churchill Volunteers of the Year. Learn how more than a decade of land stewardship—and 35 years of connection to the Forest Society—have made them dedicated ambassadors for conservation across New Hampshire.

As National Public Lands Day coincides with the Forest Society’s 125th Annual Meeting, this article reflects on how generations of steady, everyday stewardship have shaped the New Hampshire landscapes we value today. It’s a reminder that lasting conservation often begins with a simple choice: to care for a place, and to keep choosing it over time.

Sixteen new volunteer Land Stewards spent a full Saturday in early spring with Forest Society staff at the Conservation Center in Concord for our annual Land Steward Field Day. After two months of virtual training sessions, the Field Day allowed new Stewards from across the state to meet in-person, hone their stewardship skills, test their knowledge, and—as a bonus celebration to fete the organization’s 125th anniversary—nosh some cupcakes and raise a glass. 

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.

To close out this year’s Five Hikes Challenge, participants enjoyed a beautiful fall day exploring the Dottie Bean Forest in Farmington — a landscape of family legacy, open blueberry ledges, and mountain views.

With foliage at its peak, it’s the perfect time to explore Forest Society trails through the annual 5 Hikes Challenge. Recent guided hikes brought visitors to the historic Monson Center in Milford and Hollis — once one of New Hampshire’s earliest inland settlements. There’s still time to complete your own five hikes or join upcoming staff-led outings at Mount Major and the new Dottie Bean Forest.