Forest Society Blog - News & Features

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 Something Wild team visited Black Mountain Forest to see northern saw-whet owls up close. On a record night at the banding station, 15 owls were banded and released, helping researchers track these tiny, elusive nocturnal hunters.

The Something Wild team visited NH’s largest sycamore at Concord’s Kimball-Jenkins Estate. Over 300 years old and 100 feet tall, its massive trunk spans 18 feet around. Rare in NH, sycamores thrive along rivers and support diverse wildlife. This historic tree is a natural treasure in the heart of the city.

Step into the forest and reignite your sense of wonder! We explore how fairy houses—crafted from twigs, acorns, moss, and a whole lot of imagination—can open a bridge between childhood magic and adult curiosity. Listeners are reminded that nature isn’t just to be understood—it’s to be felt, imagined, and cherished.

If you’ve noticed more fireflies than usual lighting up New Hampshire’s summer nights, you’re not imagining things. A wet spring created ideal conditions for firefly larvae to thrive underground, leading to a noticeable surge in adult fireflies this season. In this episode of Something Wild, discover the fascinating lifecycle of these glowing insects and learn how you can help protect their habitat.

We celebrate the American beech — a majestic, smooth‑barked tree that makes up nearly 40% of northern hardwood forests and supports wildlife with its nuts and canopy. However, this iconic species is now facing serious threat from Beech Leaf Disease, which could leave up to 40% of forests in central New Hampshire standing dead if not addressed.

Dive into New Hampshire’s hidden history and unfolding environmental story. In this episode, we uncover the remnants of a once-submerged forest now exposed along the coast. Leveraging cutting-edge research and emerging technologies, they explore how this drowned woodland uncovers clues about New Hampshire’s ancient coastline — and how those same insights are guiding our understanding of rising seas and climate resilience. Join us for a journey through time, nature, and hope.

Every spring for the past 25 years, raptor biologist Chris Martin of New Hampshire Audubon has banded peregrine falcon chicks atop Manchester’s 13-story Brady Sullivan Tower, part of a successful effort to monitor and support the local falcon population. This year, he and NHPR’s Something Wild team documented the careful process of banding this year’s three chicks.