The University of New Hampshire and conservation stakeholders are seeking to keep Bartlett Experimental Forest operating after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service placed it under review as part of a nationwide reorganization.
research capacity at stake for UNH scientists
UNH researchers and advocates say Bartlett provides long-term data that supports forest management and the timber and forestry sectors across New Hampshire and New England. Anton Bekkerman, associate dean of research and director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at UNH, told reporters that closing sites such as Bartlett would shrink the state’s research capacity and reduce insights available to landowners and foresters.
“If sites like Bartlett close, then that really reduces the capacity for our researchers at UNH to look at those insights that are ultimately going to help the landowners, the foresters, the timber industry of New Hampshire, of New England, because it really limits the scope and the insights that we can get from that research,”
— Anton Bekkerman, associate dean of research and director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire
what the Forest Service review found
The Forest Service reviewed 64 research locations nationwide during the reorganization. It decided to retain 41 sites and identified 23 locations with little to no staffing for potential closure; that list did not include Bartlett, according to the agency’s reorganization page.
Although Bartlett was not named among the 23 sites flagged for closure, university officials and local stakeholders say uncertainty remains. Concerns include reduced staffing and the need for facility updates to keep research operations viable.
political and local response
Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced in May that the USDA had no proposals threatening Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and that the agency would re-evaluate plans regarding Bartlett. More recently, a visit from U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., drew stakeholders together to begin further discussions about the site’s future and possible partnership models used elsewhere.
- The Forest Service reviewed 64 sites nationwide and retained 41.
- Twenty-three sites were identified for closure based on staffing levels; Bartlett was not listed among them.
- UNH officials and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen have held meetings with stakeholders to seek solutions and partnerships.
Researchers and advocates said conversations with federal officials, elected leaders and local partners will continue as they evaluate models — such as those used at Hubbard Brook and other long-running sites — to sustain Bartlett’s research mission.
Stakeholders say Bartlett’s long-term records and plots are valuable for informing forest maintenance, timber management and other applied research that supports New Hampshire’s forestry industry and landowners.
