Brown's Woods Project*
Deerfield, NH

*We need to raise $20,000 in order to perpetually steward this property, so please help us by donating today!

Bear-Paw has been gifted 107 acres of beautiful forestland in Deerfield by the Smith family. This property is now a permanently protected Bear-Paw Preserve within a mile of Pawtuckaway State Park and is creates an important link for wildlife and maintaining clean drinking water in our region.

​Burbank Woods Preserve
Deerfield, NH

Burbank Woods was gifted to Bear-Paw in 2017 by the children of Jack & Helen Burbank, who were themselves great supporters of local conservation in their time. The forested portion of Burbank Woods is Appalachian oak-pine, with the Great Brook leading into a large, winding wetland complex that takes up nearly half the property. The Great Brook Trail begins at the Burbank Woods parking area off Coffeetown Rd. and crosses through the northeast corner of the property, as well as through several privately owned lands, on its way to Harvey Rd. Come explore the beautiful Burbank Woods Preserve!

Fordway Brook Preserve
Candia, NH

Fordway Brook was purchased from a developer in 2011 after it was put into a conservation easement funded by the NCRS Wetland Reserve Program. The majority of the property is a combination of Appalachian oak-pine and hemlock-hardwood-pine forest, with a large wetland complex of shrub wetland and swamp around the Fordway Brook, a first order stream that begins just off the property. Although there are no trails, those who are comfortable bushwhacking may well be rewarded with plenty of wildlife signs & sightings.

Great Marsh Preserve
Hooksett, NH

Great Marsh was purchased in 2014 to protect the large wetland complex for which it was named as well as the land surrounding it. Bordered by Clay Pond Conservation Area and Bear Brook State Park, Great Marsh is part of a large unfragmented block of natural habitat that preserves some spectacular ecological diversity. Great Marsh can be accessed via the Heads' Pond trail off Route 3 or the Old Chester Turnpike from the Clay Pond kiosk.
There are species of special concern listed on this property; please watch where you step while hiking the area.

Hinman Pond Preserve
​Hooksett, NH

Hinman Pond is made up of three separate plots of land which were purchased between 2013 and 2015. This nearly 800-acre preserve is part of the same unfragmented block that contains Great Marsh Preserve, Clay Pond Conservation Area, and Bear Brook State Park, and helps to protect the region's high ecological diversity and sensitive species. The Hinman Pond parcels can be accessed via the Old Chester Turnpike from the Clay Pond Kiosk.
​There are species of special concern listed on this property; please watch where you step while hiking the area.

Kimball Family Forest Preserve
Nottingham, NH

The Kimball Family Forest was gifted to Bear-Paw in 2010 by Charlotte and Kenneth Kimball, long-time local residents and supporters of conservation. The 22-acre Appalachian oak-pine forest is tucked between North River and Freeman Hall Rd., and surrounded by old stone walls. A small wetland complex runs perpendicular to North River and through the center of the property. Although the Kimball Family Forest is relatively small, and there are no trails on the property at this time, it's a beautiful place to visit for time spent in quiet contemplation.

Nancy H. Mathes North Road Preserve
Deerfield, NH

Mathes' North Road was gifted to Bear-Paw in 2018 by Nancy Mathes, who along with her family has been a generous supporter of Bear-Paw for many years. The 50-acre preserve is Appalachian oak-pine woodland with two picturesque streams that merge and feed into a wet shrubland, and downstream empty into Freese's Pond. Mathes' North Road also contains many old stone walls and a few large old sugar maples growing along them, signs that it may once have been part of a homestead. There are no trails on the property, but a pull-off in the small field along North Road/Rt. 107 allows easy access.

North River Preserve
Nottingham, NH

North River was purchased from a developer in 2010 after it was put into a conservation easement funded by the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program. This beautiful 50-acre preserve contains a large slice of riverfront Appalachian oak-pine forest with several unique ecological features: an oxbow, a backwater wetland, vernal pools, shallow and deep marshes, and of course the river itself. Accessible from the parking area off Stage Road (Rt. 152) are a canoe put-in and a 1.1 mile trail, which has many scenic views of North River along its length. A granite bench 1/4 mile down the trail offers a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Pinkney Hill Preserve
Allenstown, NH

Pinkney Hill is made up of two plots of land, approximately 175 acres total, that Bear-Paw purchased in 2011 and placed under a conservation easement with NH Fish & Game. Pinkney Hill is mostly made up of hemlock-hardwood-pine forest and lies along the western edge of Bear Brook State Park. Pinkney Hill has no trails running through it, but it can be accessed via the unmaintained extension of Dodge Road and a series of old logging roads. Its quiet location makes it excellent wildlife habitat, if not so easy to get to, and well worth the walk in.

Bear-Paw is committed to the perpetual care and stewardship of our preserves.
Please visit our Outdoor Etiquette & Allowed Uses page to learn more.