The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests has conserved its 200th forest: the 280-acre Bean Forest, a swath of forest and fields nestled between the Chesley and Moose mountains in Farmington.
Dorothy Bean donated the property to the Society through a bequest after the historic house, barns and 16 acres were subdivided and sold to a private buyer. Bean was a longtime member of the Forest Society.
With her donation, the Forest Society’s conservation area now reaches nearly 67,000 acres.
“Dottie Bean was a dear friend to the Forest Society. She was always the first to register to attend our Annual Meetings, and she had a very clear vision for the land she dearly loved,” said Jack Savage, Forest Society president.
The Society will continue managing the Bean Forest as a certified tree farm while tending to the wildlife habitat and hiking trails it provides.
The proceeds of the private sale have funded an endowment that will support these stewardship activities, according to the Forest Society.
Rebeca Pereira can be reached at rpereira@cmonitor.com.
