To commemorate the centennial of its founding, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA) has released New Hampshire’s Forests, New Hampshire’s People: 100 Years of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association.

Featuring compelling stories about 12 families who were and are key to the NHTOA and forest products industry in New Hampshire, the 112-page soft cover book also includes a fascinating selection of historic photographs. Reflecting the organization’s membership, the people in the book include landowners, loggers, foresters and mill owners.

Edited by Stephen Long, founding editor of Northern Woodlands magazine, the book offers a glimpse of the past and a look to the future of New Hampshire’s forests, forest-products businesses and the NHTOA.

“Writing, editing and designing this book required expertise from top-notch professionals,” said Jasen Stock, executive director of the NHTOA. “Without their help completing this project would have been impossible.

“This book offers informative and engaging stories about some of the people and families in New Hampshire who for several generations have made their living from the forest,” Stock said. “These folks are passionate about their work and the land. They’re also smart, creative and determined. As they tell their stories, this comes through loud and clear.”

UNH Cooperative Extension staff contributed five of the ten family stories in the book. “Seeing the finished book was inspirational,” said Kristina Ferrare of UNH Cooperative Extension, who contributed the story about the Colby family. “The stories really convey a sense of history and pride in New Hampshire. I am pleased to have had the privilege of meeting the Colby’s and telling their story.”

Landowners and businessmen in the North Country established NHTOA in 1911 as an organization that would prevent and fight forest fires. Today, the NHTOA is a statewide trade association that draws members from all aspects of the forest products industry including landowners, foresters, loggers, truckers, mill owners, secondary manufacturers and others engaged in the industry.

The association promotes private and public working forests by encouraging responsible land management and supporting a strong forest products industry. NHTOA partners regularly with UNH Cooperative Extension to deliver their educational programming.

              The limited-edition book costs $36, which includes shipping and handling. Orders are available from the NHTOA at (603) 224-9699 or by e-mail at offmgr@nhtoa.org.  Order forms are available on the NHTOA web site www.nhtoa.org.