Saving the White Mountains The Weeks Act Then and Now SUMMER 2011 US $4.95 1 2 > 0 74470 25172 9 forestsociety.org TABLE OF CONTENTS: WEEKS ACT SPECIAL ISSUE 2011, No. 267 6 Features 6 The White Mountain National Forest 26 The Slide Show that Saved the Whites Then and Now By Christopher Johnson and David Govatski By Jerry Monkman How Philip Ayres made the public care A photographic reflection on the recovery of the 30 Collaboration and Compromise White Mountain National Forest for the Future 14 The Weeks Act Story By Rebecca Weeks Sherrill More, Ph.D By Marek Bennett Exploring the personal relationships and political process Told in cartoon format that led to the passage of the Weeks Act 20 Righteous Wrath By Char Miller How an active, engaged citizenry changed the national landscape 18 30 4 34 Departments 2 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 FOREST SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING A celebration of the Weeks Act Centennial 3 THE FORESTER’S PRISM The Centennial of the Weeks Act 34 NATURE’S VIEW BY DAVE ANDERSON 4 GUEST COMMENTARY Resilience and Restraint: Successful 100 Years Later by Tom Wagner passage of the Weeks Act preceded 16 IN THE FIELD remarkable era of reforestation Art exhibits, festivals, and lectures EDITOR’S NOTE e have dedicated this issue of Visual impact was no less important 100 Forest Notes entirely to the years ago, when Philip Ayres, the Forest W100th anniversary of the Society’s first president/forester, effectively Weeks Act. The Forest Society was founded used his “Magic Lantern” slides to show the CHAIR Carolyn Benthien, Goffstown during the ultimately successful effort to misuse of the White Mountain landscape VICE CHAIR convince the nation that the public interest and build public support for publicly- Hanover Stephens Fowler, would be well served by setting aside large owned forest reservations. David Govatski SECRETARY Midge Eliassen, Sunapee forest reservations, including what is now and Christopher Johnson tell the story of TREASURER the White Mountain National Forest. those slides in “The Slide Show That Saved Leonard “Hunt” Dowse, Hancock The passage of the Weeks Act also launched the Whites,” while Dave Anderson’s PRESIDENT/FORESTER Jane A. Difley, Webster a century of forest conservation that has “Nature’s View” column describes specifi- BOARD OF TRUSTEES made New Hampshire what it is today cally how the abuses of the past changed Phil Bryce, Deering Malin Clyde, Durham while fostering an ethic of wise use among the forest composition. Marek Bennett tells Jon Dawson, Deering landowners that will guide us in the future. the Weeks Act story his way through his Katharine Eneguess, Jaffrey Pamela Hall, Portsmouth Capturing everything that is the Weeks medium, a cartoon. Deanna Howard, Etna Amy Meyers, Jaffrey Act would fill volumes. We’ve chosen to If you’re interested in exploring in more Jack Middleton, Freedom feature a sampling for Forest Notes readers. detail the history of the arguments in favor Howard Moffett, Canterbury Hank Swan, Lyme Historian Char Miller, who has made of forest preservation and battles fought on Stephen Taylor, Meriden the Weeks Act a specialty, helps us under- its behalf, visit www.whitemountainhistory. Bill Tucker, Goffstown Patricia Vasbinder, Concord stand the significance of the legislation org/Weeks_Act, where David Govatski has William Webb, Holderness Don Wharton, Landaff from a national perspective in his article, pulled together a number of original docu- STAFF “Righteous Wrath.” Another historian, ments including the full text of the bill, a EXECUTIVE Rebecca Weeks Sherrill More, who happens speech by John W. Weeks, the full article by Jane A. Difley, president/forester Karen Rose, executive assistant to be the great-granddaughter of John W. John E. Johnson referenced in Char Miller’s FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Weeks, offers her insight into the social and piece in this magazine, and other period Martha Booth, receptionist Michelle Morse, accounting clerk political networks of the day that were documents. Tina Ripley, administrative assistant instrumental in helping pass the Act that More information about the Weeks Act Leslie Thompson, human resources and finance specialist Denise Vaillancourt, vice president, finance bears her family name. can be found at www.WeeksActLegacy.org. MEMBERSHIP/DEVELOPMENT Those for whom seeing is believing may Tabitha Chenoweth, data processor Nancy Ford Huckins, membership specialist enjoy Jerry Monkman’s photo essay Susanne Kibler-Hacker, vice president, development contrasting the cutover White Hills of Allan Krygeris, technology specialist Margaret Liszka, director, membership early last century with the recovered and Ann McCoy, membership coordinator well-managed landscape of today. Jerry’s Jack Savage, Editor Meredith Reed O’Donnell, development associate Martha Twombly, development specialist pictures tell a large part of the success story Weeks Wing, Conservation Center, COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH PROGRAMS of the last 100 years. Concord, NH David Anderson, director, education and volunteers Carrie Deegan, land steward program specialist Joyce El Kouarti, communications director Jack Savage, vice president, communications/outreach POLICY/LAND MANAGEMENT Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests Will Abbott, vice president, policy/land management A non-profit membership organization founded in 1901 to protect the state’s most important landscapes building and grounds Frank Allen, and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources. Basic annual membership fee is $35 and Clare Brown, The Rocks Rita Carroll, land management and policy assistant includes a subscription to Forest Notes. George Frame, senior director of forestry Editor: Jack Savage Nigel Manley, director, north country property Managing Editor: Joyce El Kouarti Carleen Quinn, The Rocks Jason Teaster, property manager Design & Production: The Secret Agency Wendy Weisiger, field forester Printing: Capital Offset Company senior director for strategic projects—policy Chris Wells, Forest Notes is published four times a year and printed on elemental chlorine-free Sappi Flo paper with LAND PROTECTION 10 percent post-consumer recycled content. Sappi Flo is made from pulp purchased from suppliers Joslin Bennett, easement steward who document sound environmental practices and sustainable forest management. Chris Borg, land protection specialist Paul Doscher, vice president, land conservation Permission is required for reproduction of any part of this magazine. Paul Gagnon, easement steward Copyright 2011 SPNHF. US ISSN: 0015 7457. Brian Hotz, senior director for strategic projects—land protection Tom Howe, senior director, land conservation 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301 | Phone: (603) 224-9945 | Fax: (603) 228-0423 Lori Johnson, land protection assistant/data base manager E-mail: [email protected] | Internet: www.forestsociety.org Michael Speltz, land protection specialist The Forest Society proudly supports the following organizations: Daniel Sundquist, director, land conservation planning Ryan Young, director, easement stewardship Cosponsor Underwriter Member THE FORESTER’S PRISM Looking east toward the White Mountains from the Forest Society’s Rocks Estate in Bethlehem. Photo by Jack Savage. Making Tomorrow’s History ne hundred ten years ago, when New Hampshire and the conservation together a few key people in 1901, Forest Governor Frank West Rollins movement. Society members share an appreciation for Oinvited a small group of people to From my perspective, what is important New Hampshire’s forests, New Hampshire’s meet on February 6, little could they have is that while we’re celebrating the passage history, and the importance of both to our known that they were launching an organ- of the Weeks Act, we’re really celebrating future. My question—my challenge—to all ization that would go on to not only help what has happened since then: making of us is to imagine a century from today. pass the Weeks Act and enable the creation John Weeks’ vision become a reality on the Will those who follow us point to a of the White Mountain National Forest, but ground. In the intervening one hundred moment in 2011 as an historic moment that also to facilitate the protection of a million years, close to one million acres has been fostered the perpetual protection of many and a half acres, including iconic land- acquired in New Hampshire to become our more forests, farms, rivers, and trails? We scapes like Mt. Monadnock, Mt. Sunapee, beloved White Mountain National Forest. have an opportunity in our state to pursue Mt. Kearsarge, and Franconia Notch. The forest has grown back, and with it a New Hampshire that is truly everlasting. It is a great reminder that it’s difficult to the diversity of wildlife has flourished. I hope you will all join me in being inspired know at any given moment whether or not Stewardship of the forest has become sus- to look ahead and make our own bit of that moment will be historic. What was tainable; watersheds have been restored; conservation history. ultimately historic about that meeting 110 and tourism thrives. Granite Staters as well years ago is that influential people who as visitors from around the world enjoy the shared a vision came together and com- beauty of our mountains, forests, and mitted themselves to action. Because in the waterfalls and appreciate the chance to see end, the Forest Society's work is about a moose or bear or bobcat. people—people dedicating themselves to Not only that, but citizens here and Jane Difley protecting New Hampshire’s forests for the throughout New England and beyond President/Forester greatest public good. participate in building consensus over how Ten years later, that fledgling organiza- such public resources are managed. The tion and its partners celebrated passage passage of the Weeks Act wasn’t the end. It was Jane Difley is the president/ of the Weeks Act and its champion, the beginning. forester of the Society for John Wingate Weeks. This law enabled the My hope—indeed my passion—is that the Protection of New creation of national forests in the East and we collectively put those lessons of history Hampshire Forests.