The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests successfully reached the goal needed conserve 2,121 acres of working forest and wildlife habitat that forms the gateway to Pittsburg and the Connecticut Lakes region along scenic Route 3 north of Colebrook in 2008. The property, which includes more than six miles of pristine shoreline along the upper
Connecticut River
, a regionally significant deer yard and an important snowmobile trail, is now the Forest Society's largest forest reservation north of the notches.
The 2,121 acres of the
Washburn
Family
Forest
have been identified as a high conservation priority in the NH Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Action Plan and the Atlantic Northern Forest Bird Conservation Initiative/Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. The land is also very close to the 146,500-acre
Connecticut
Lakes
Headwaters
Forest
, protected by a state held conservation easement.
The
Connecticut River
, small streams, wetlands, and forests provide the food and shelter needed by moose, deer, bear, fisher, mink, and otter, as well as many migratory waterfowl and boreal bird species to survive. Even the bald eagle and threatened Northern Harrier have a home here. The six miles of river frontage include sections that provide important nursery and rearing habitat for juvenile Atlantic salmon and spawning habitat for adult salmon. The land also supports several significant rare plants and natural communities.
