For more than a decade, critical recreation land and wildlife habitat in New Durham has slipped through the fingers of many neighbors and local outdoor enthusiasts who wished to protect the land from development. Now, through partnership efforts of the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT), the Merrymeeting Lake Association (MMLA), and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), these 2,000 acres are conserved forever as Birch Ridge Community Forest (June 28, 2019).

As a community forest, Birch Ridge promotes conservation, community, and economic development through SELT’s ownership and management of land for the benefit of the community. The conservation easement is held by Moose Mountains Regional Greenways with the Town of New Durham and NH Department of Environmental Services holding a right of enforcement.

Once proposed for a 220-unit subdivision, Birch Ridge was a priority for the community to protect for more than a decade. Past efforts fell short of acquiring and conserving this treasured land. The previous owners aggressively cut most marketable timber from the property, which was closely monitored by the NH Division of Forests & Lands to ensure it met state regulations. Visits to the property after the cut show strong regeneration of oak, which is a good sign of recovery.

Explore Birch Ridge!

Birch Ridge offers recreational opportunities for all to enjoy! Thirteen miles of trails offer great access for hikers, cross-country skiers, and birders with wonderful views of the Lake and all the way to Mt. Washington. Snowmobilers know Birch Ridge well, as it includes Corridor 22, the main east-west snowmobile corridor south of Lake Winnipesaukee that connects Maine to central New Hampshire.

Stay tuned to this page for further updates as SELT's land management plan is implemented.

Trailheads

Rattlesnake Trail
Rattlesnake Trailhead On Merrymeeting Road located north of the intersection of Merrymeeting Road and Brackett Road in New Durham.

Birch Ridge Loop Trail
Birch Road Trailhead Located at the top off the hill toward the end of the Class VI portion of Birch Hill Road.

Trail Guides

Trail Guide and Map
(Mobile Friendly)
Trail Guide and Map
(Print and Fold)

Trail Map

Natural Resources

Water Quality
Nearly 1,300 acres of Birch Ridge drain to Merrymeeting Lake and Merrymeeting River, helping protect the Lake’s excellent water quality that is the key to the enjoyment of residents and visitors. The Land Conservation Plan for NH’s Coastal Watershed, a regional plan developed to identify the most important lands for water quality and wildlife habitat, identified the entire Birch Ridge property as a conservation focus area, confirming the importance of Birch Ridge from a regional and statewide perspective. Birch Ridge lies within the June 2017 Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG) Conservation Action Plan’s highest Conservation Focus Area, which places emphasis on the region’s lake watersheds.

Wildlife Habitat
Birch Ridge is a haven for wildlife with its diverse features from wetlands to ridge tops. In fact, 99% of the Birch Ridge property is a priority for conservation under the NH Wildlife Action Plan. Common and wide-ranging species like moose, bear, deer, and bobcat thrive on the property. Smaller forest dwellers like salamanders and rare turtles utilize the property’s vernal pools, many streams, a 25-acre beaver pond, and Coldrain Pond. Birch Ridge also lies within the MMRG Priority 1 Greenway Concept Plan with a focus on protecting connecting corridors for wildlife movement.