UNH Cooperative Extension Forests & Trees - For Kids, Families & Teachers

For Kids, Families & Teachers

84% of New Hampshire is covered by forests. They filter water and air and give us wildlife habitat, visual beauty, and forest products. They are also the living record of our natural and human history.

New Hampshire's forests are young compared to other North American woodlands. At the end of the last Ice Age, the first spruce and fir trees colonized this area about 10,000 years ago. The combinations of trees we see around us today were started only 2,000 years ago. However, most of the trees in New Hampshire today are less than 100 years old because early settlers cleared most of the land to farm.

If you are interested in more information about New Hampshire's forests for a class project, click here. Be very specific in what you want to know. New Hampshire's forests are vast and so is the information available about them. Include your postal address.

One fun way to be involved with trees is to celebrate Arbor Day.

Arbor Day

Arbor" means "trees"...and Arbor Day is a day dedicated to trees. Many think of it as the "tree planting" holiday, but it is better thought of as a "tree caring" holiday- a day dedicated to the planting and care of shade and forest trees.

Arbor Day in New Hampshire is observed every year on the last Friday in April. It is a unique holiday- planting a tree looks to the future and not at some past happening, as is the case of most holidays. New Hampshire extends the celebration with Forest Conservation Week, which begins the day after Arbor Day.

This special day was first adopted by the State of Nebraska in 1872. The idea swiftly spread across the country. New Hampshire's first official Arbor Day was proclaimed on April 29, 1886 by Governor Moody Currier who advocated reforestation of waste and cutover lands, and planting of shade and ornamental trees and shrubs around homes, along highways, and other public places. Today every state has an official date for Arbor Day.

Arbor Day Poster Contest

Every year the "National Arbor Day Foundation" sponsors an Arbor Day poster contest. Click below, to view past winning entries:

2008 first place - Madison H, Matthew Thornton School in Londonderry
2008 honorable mention - Nikos L, Alstead Primary School in Alstead
View past winners

The theme for 2008 is "Trees are Terrific.. inside and out!" Fifth grade teachers can email to request a poster contest curriculum packet. Schools should submit winning entries to Karen Bennett, 131 Main St, Nesmith Hall, Durham, NH 03824. They must be received by March 21, 2008.

Forest Conservation Week

Each year, the Governor issues a proclamation honoring Arbor Day and Forest Conservation Week. Forest Conservation Week is held during the first full school week after Arbor Day.

Forest Conservation Week encourages all citizens to properly care for our forests. According to New Hampshire state law:

The governor shall annually proclaim forest conservation week, to encourage the proper care and utilization of the state's forest resources. The governor shall urge forest landowners to observe the occasion by seeking professional forestry advice on the forest management of their woodlots and shall urge others to develop a greater awareness of the forest by obtaining informational pamphlets, publications and material, and by participating in forestry education activities and programs.

The above was adapted from a NH Project Learning Tree, "Teacher's Guide for Arbor Day & Tree Planting Celebrations in New Hampshire" (focus on grades 3-6). Copies are available from the Forestry Information Center. When sending an email please provide contact information (phone number and post office address). The center can also be reached for callers in any of the New England states at 1-800-444-8978. The postal address is Rm 211 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street, Durham, NH, 03824.

Other Helpful Websites:

Forests & Trees

Family Home & Garden Education Center

Related Links

For Kids, Families & Teachers