In August 2010, the Tucker and French families completed the conservation of their land totaling 563 acres of forestland and wetlands in Kingston, Danville, and Brentwood.  The properties represent the highest co-occurrence of natural resource values within the area, with significant wetland resources, including more than 170 acres of diverse wetlands that include streams, 20+ vernal pools, emergent marsh, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands and frontage on the Little River. In addition, the acquisitions will ensure continued public access for outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, fishing, and hunting.

In 2007, brothers Bill, John, and George Tucker first approached the Land Trust to discuss the conservation of land they inherited upon the passing of their parents, Moses and Ellen.  Located off Tucker Road and North Road in Kingston, the 193 acres were acquired by their parents over the course of decades.

John described the forest as “my father’s playground,” where Moses conducted periodic timber harvests – of course with his children’s help.  The Tucker Forest includes extensive frontage on the Class VI portion of Tucker Road and a large beaver-influenced wetlands complex that provides habitat for a diversity of waterfowl and several turtle species that are in decline.

The second property acquired consists of seven parcels of land owned by Meadowsend Timberlands Limited Partnership, a forest products business owned by the French family. The Frenches have a long commitment to land conservation, with family members serving various conservation organizations including the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the national Land Trust Alliance.

“Our family has a great interest in preserving the remaining rural qualities of Rockingham County, having owned property here since 1928,” said Steve French. “Because Kingston has been the home of our lumber business since 1970, we really wanted to see the land stay as an asset for the benefit of town without costing the town people a lot of money. The Wetlands Reserve Program seemed like the ideal way to do that.”

The WRP goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.  This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection. Following the conveyance of the conservation easement to WRP, the families conveyed the now- protected land to SELT, which owns and manages it with a focus on wildlife habitat, wetlands preservation, compatible recreation, and forestry.  Additional funding was provided by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act program.

Explore Tucker and French Family Forest!

This property is open to the public to explore. Hike safely and enjoy!

Download KML and GPX trail files on Trail Finder

Allowed Uses

• Hiking
• Wildlife Observation
• Snowshoeing
• Skiing
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Biking (on designated trails)
• Horseback Riding (on designated trails)
• Snowmobiling (on designated trails)

Natural and Archaeological Resources

The Tucker and French Family Forest features a diverse mix of upland forests, shrublands, and wetlands. Appalachian oak/pine forests of varying age dominate much of the dry areas. Early successional habitats include old gravel pits and young birch/aspen forests. Wetlands are extensive and vary from numerous beaver flowages to wooded swamps. The properties also include more than 2.5 miles of shoreline on the Little River.