Cottrell-Baldwin lecture series celebrates 20 years of conservation conversation in 2024

The N.H. Division of Forests and Lands and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests have announced this year’s topics for the Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture Series, now it its 20th year.

In a time of increasing public concern for both forests and climate, the 2024 lectures focus on forests young and old, fading winters, forest carbon basics and a range of durable local wood products. 

“When the Cottrell-Baldwin Lecture series began in 2004, both the Division of Forests and Lands and the Forest Society had no idea what a mainstay it would become for folks in late winter and early spring,” said Inge Seaboyer, program forester at the Caroline A. Fox Research and Demonstration Forest. “One of the biggest draws is just how knowledgeable and engaging the speakers are and how well they can explain complex topics in a way that makes them understandable and relatable.”

“Discussions of old growth forests, fading winter weather and forest carbon are widespread nowadays,” said Dave Anderson, senior director of education at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “Has the difference between carbon sequestration and carbon storage got you perplexed? Do you wonder about the benefits of old growth vs. young forests, or maybe about the opportunities for wood construction and carbon storage? Whether one topic or more than one interests you, we invite you to join us so that you can learn more!” 

The 2024 Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture series takes place Tuesdays, March 19-April 9, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Fox Forest’s Henry I. Baldwin Environmental Center, 309 Center Road in Hillsborough.

This year’s topics and speakers are:

-    “The Forgotten Forest Primeval,” film by Ray Asselin, with Q&A by the N.H. Natural Heritage Bureau’s Jessica Bouchard; March 19
-    “Remember Winter?” film by and discussion with Gabriel Andrus; March 26
-    “A Forest Carbon Primer,” presentation and discussion with University of Vermont Professor Tony D’Amato; April 2
-    “The Promise of Building Big with Wood: An Environmental and Economic Answer,” presentation and discussion with UNH Cooperative Extension Forest Industry Specialist Andy Fast; April 9

Full descriptions of each lecture are available on the events section of the Forest Society’s website, forestsociety.org/events. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and registration in advance is appreciated.

The Cottrell-Baldwin Lecture series honors the environmental and scholarly legacies of Hillsborough residents Annette and William Cottrell, as well as that of New Hampshire’s first research forester, Henry Ives Baldwin.

New Hampshire's Division of Forests and Lands is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. NHDFL’s mission is to protect and promote the values provided by trees, forests and natural communities. This mission is accomplished through responsible management of the state’s forested resources; by providing forest resource information and education to the public; and through the protection of these resources for the continuing benefit of the state’s citizens, visitors, and forest industry. 

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is a private, non-profit statewide land conservation trust and forestry organization established in 1901. The Forest Society currently holds more than 750 conservation easements statewide permanently protecting more than 135,000 acres of New Hampshire’s landscapes. The Forest Society also owns 200 forest reservations constituting more than 64,000 acres in more than 100 New Hampshire communities. 

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