What’s the first sign of spring in NH? It just may be the 2023 Cottrell-Baldwin lecture series

The N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, along with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, has announced this year’s lineup for the annual Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture series, with topics that touch on historic preservation, wildlife and land conservation.

The 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.

“The Forest Society has partnered with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands for this lecture series since 2004, and it’s always a highlight of early spring,” said Dave Anderson, senior director of education at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “We invite anyone who is interested in learning more about our state’s engaging outdoors to attend as many of the lectures that their schedules will allow.”

“Frost heaves and the Cottrell-Baldwin series are a sure sign that we’re heading into spring,” said Inge Seaboyer, Program Forester at the Caroline A. Fox Research and Demonstration Forest. “Every year, folks tell us how much they look forward to learning more about different natural aspects of our state, and this year’s lineup has something to interest everyone.”

The 2023 Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture series takes place Tuesdays, March 21-April 11, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Fox Forest’s Henry I. Baldwin Environmental Center, 309 Center Road in Hillsborough.

This year’s lectures are:
-    “Covered Bridges of New Hampshire,” Kim Varney Chandler, March 21
-    “Black Bears: Understanding and Controlling Human-Bear Conflicts,” Andy Timmins, March 28
-    “Ten Years and a Dozen Porcupines – an Informal Study,” Ann Eldridge and Bill Duffy, April 4
-    “This Land was Saved for You and Me,” Jeffrey Ryan, April 11

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.

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 land trust and forestry organization established in 1901. It 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 191 forest reservations constituting more than 58,000 acres in 105 New Hampshire communities. 

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