The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is proud to announce its spring program lineup at Forest Society North at The Rocks. This season’s schedule features a series of mindful walks and expert-led presentations, culminating in the highly anticipated Annual Wildflower Festival on May 30.

Featured Events

Birds & Bands: A Morning of Avian Exploration Wednesday, May 13 | 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This immersive program begins with a guided bird walk led by Chris Costello, followed by a deep dive into waterfowl research with Jessica Carolini, Waterfowl Project Leader. Carolini will demonstrate how duck banding serves as a vital tool for conservation. The morning concludes with a beginner-friendly session on ethical bird photography led by Emily Cote, focusing on equipment basics and habitat respect.
• Cost: $25 for members; $35 for non-members.
• Registration: Required.

The Annual Wildflower Festival Saturday, May 30 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Celebrate the beauty of spring and the vital connection between native blooms and their pollinators. This full-day event is split into two immersive sessions, separated by a one-hour lunch break.

Morning and Afternoon Sessions

Guided Wildflower Walk: Join wildflower enthusiast Ginny Jeffryes and Senior Outreach Manager Nigel Manley for a three-hour hike along the historic Mile Path. This is a rare opportunity to explore an area typically off-limits to the public and discover diverse woodland plants and seasonal blooms.

The Art & Science of Beekeeping: Meet apiarist Dennis Rosolen, who brings over seven years of experience to this engaging presentation. Learn about the life cycle of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), view essential beekeeping equipment, and discover the history of apiculture at The Rocks with Forest Society staff.

• Cost: $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
• Registration: Required.
• Details: Limited to 22 participants.
• Preparation: Participants should bring lunch/snacks, water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Due to high demand, these programs—particularly the Wildflower Festival—sell out quickly. To view the full schedule and reserve your spot, please visit Events at the Forest Society.

ABOUT THE ROCKS
The Rocks is a 1,400-acre property, owned and managed by the Forest Society. Built as a working farm in the 1880s by John Jacob Glessner, a cofounder of International Harvester, The Rocks retains much of the grandeur of White Mountain retreats – exceptional period architecture, an Olmsted-designed Garden, and a network of woodland trails open to the public year-round. In 1978 descendants of the Glessner family donated The Rocks to the Forest Society, which has operated it since as a vibrant Christmas tree farm, conservation and nature education center, and working forest. Learn more about The Rocks at forestsociety.org/the-rocks.

ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
Established in 1901, the Forest Society is a private, nonprofit land trust and forestry organization that owns more than 200 forest conservation properties—nearly 67,000 acres in 105 New Hampshire communities—and holds conservation easements that permanently protect an additional 140,000 acres statewide. Forest Society properties are open to the public and draw more than 500,000 visitors annually. To learn more or become a member, please visit forestsociety.org.