Posts By: Jared Kane

The forest is a living organism, with plants, animals, and microorganisms all coexisting together symbiotically.  So how does one harvest wood yet ensure this fragile balance remains? On Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 10:00 to Noon, please join MMRG and Branch Hill Farm as Forester Dan Stepanauskas leads a fascinating workshop on managing a forest today, from seed germination to species diversification, to mixed aged class trees, and eventually harvest. This conversational workshop will tour a light-touch timber harvest in progress in Wakefield, NH, which will allow us to discuss the near-term and long-term effects of thinning a hardwood stand.  Some of the topics that will also be discussed will include.

• Is whole tree harvesting a sustainable practice in today’s world?
• How does the rate of carbon absorption change over the life of a forest?
• The latest research on how the climate will affect our forest species composition in NH.
• Working on Native American lands from Maine to North Carolina and Northern Minnesota.
• Tales of some very old trees.

Daniel Stepanauskas has been a consulting forester in New Hampshire for over thirty-five years.  He practices the sustainable management of private and municipal forest lands, using light-touch management techniques and imitating nature’s design to achieve the desired results.  He is currently also the consulting forester for Tin Mountain Conservation Center and is a board member of the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.

A question-and-answer time will be offered following the 10:00 to 12:00 workshop.   For more information, directions and to register for this informative workshop, please contact

Kari Lygren at 603-978-7125, email:  karilygren@gmail.com or register online at www.mmrgnh.org

Registration closes on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Please join Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and Branch Hill Farm on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10:00 – 12:00 as we walk the woods of Branch Hill Farm with forester Charlie Moreno.  Collectively known as “invasives”, learn about the exotic plants that pose a dire threat to our forests and landscapes.

We will cover:

• Which plants might be in your yard or forest, and how to identify them.
• Are they really all that bad? YES, and here’s why….
• Our “toolkit” methods to control and/or eradicate.

For more information, directions and to register for this informative workshop, please contact

Kari Lygren at 603-978-7125, email:  karilygren@gmail.com  or register online at www.mmrgnh.org

Registration closes on Thursday, October 21, 2021

Biographical Sketch

Based in Strafford, Charlie Moreno, NH Licensed Professional Forester, has practiced locally as a Consulting Forester for over 40 years, managing 40,000 forest acres for private landowners, land trusts, conservation organizations, and communities in southern New Hampshire and Maine.  Charlie manages forestland for the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust, where he has presented outdoor workshops about natural history, forest restoration, mixed-age silviculture, low-impact harvesting, habitat management, the connection between forests and wood, and forest habitats. Over the years, he has worked closely with New Hampshire Fish & Game and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a variety of wildlife habitat projects.

MMRG & Branch Hill Farm are excited to announce the return of the Woods, Water, & Wildlife Festival for 2021.  For details and tickets, please visit https://mmrgnh.org/mmrg-in-action/festival/

Branch River (Photo: Kate Wilcox )

Branch Hill Farm/Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust (BHF/CSFCT) and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) are once again teaming up to offer canoe and kayak enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a paddle on the pristine Branch River in Milton Mills, NH. This 4-mile paddle along the scenic and winding Branch River will take place from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 22. This year the addition of a hike has been added to the event.   Kayaks and Canoes will be trucked back from the upper end of Milton Three Ponds while participants walk along the lovely trails on Branch Hill Farm passing through forests and fields back to the launch site. The walk back is approximately 1 hour.  Lunch will be offered to all the participants walking along the trail to either sit and enjoy or take with them for later.

As in years past, there will be an educational component to the Paddle. This year’s guest speaker will be Katy Lewis, Research Manager with the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, NH.  Katy is a wildlife biologist with a master’s degree in wildlife conservation from West Virginia University, with a background in bird and wetland ecology. She brings a recreational love of birding and hiking into her career as a wildlife researcher.  Her work at Tin Mountain Conservation Center involves running the long-term avian research and forest monitoring project, as well as the stream restoration and brook trout ecology research projects. Since 2010 Tin Mountain has conducted over 16 miles of stream enhancements in the Mount Washington Valley, monitoring instream habitat and brook trout response to the addition of woody debris. Katy will speak about the value and impact of adding large wood to streams, as well as some of the results of over ten years of stream enhancements and data collection.  Do not be surprised if she adds a component or two on birds along the way.  

Paddlers should bring their own kayaks or canoes and wear US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. This event is extremely popular, and spaces are limited, so early registration is advised. All reservations must be made by the morning of Thursday, May 20; contact Branch Hill Farm Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at 603-978-7125 or kari_lygren@branchhillfarm.org with your name, phone number, and the number of people who will attend. A $15 per person donation at the event is suggested. There is no rain date and participants are requested to leave pets at home.

MMRG/BHF Covid-19 prevention policies are observed. To pre-register and to find out more regarding our covid-19 prevention policies, please call BHF Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email kari_lygren@branchhillfarm.org

Branch Hill Farm/the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust works to protect open space and working forests and to educate the public about sound forestry, conservation, and agricultural practices; see www.branchillfarm.org.

MMRG, a non-profit land trust, works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Throughout the year, both BHF and MMRG offer many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region’s natural resources. For more information and a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.mmrg.info

Branch Hill Farm/the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust works to protect open space and working forests and to educate the public about sound forestry, conservation and agricultural practices; see www.branchillfarm.org.

MMRG, a non-profit land trust, works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro.  Both BHF and MMRG offer many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region’s natural resources. For more information and a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.mmrg.info

For the Love of Place

Carl Siemon’s Legacy

Born Out of the Greenway Vision

Building the Greenway Vision

In 100 Years

Future of Conservation in our Region

On Special Places

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways invites the public to continue exploring the Branch Hill Farm property in Milton Mills through the seasons! The ‘Seasons of Change’ walk is newly updated for the winter months and will be open most days from sunrise to sunset.  This event continues to offer families a safe, informative, and fun place to walk with their kids during this time of home isolation.  The walk also features a ‘story walk’ based on the Berenstain Bears series and sponsored by the Milton Free Public Library and a new assortment of birdhouses built by the Carroll County Conservation District. We ask that the public please adhere to social distancing guidelines on this self-guided walk. Thank you to our Seasons of Change sponsor D.F. Richard for making this continuing opportunity possible!