The Forgotten Forest Primeval film event

 

There is a natural, original, old growth forest on New Hampshire's Mount Sunapee, which most people are surprised (and excited!) to learn about. Such remnant ancient forests are extremely rare in the northeast. The forest is featured in our film, "The Forgotten Forest Primeval - Rediscovering Mt Sunapee's Old Growth".

On Monday evening, June 19, 2023, a screening of the film will be the opener of the 2023 Summer Speaker series of events, part of a Newbury, NH, community cultural and educational project. Sponsored by the Center Meeting House and the Newbury Library, the program will be held at Newbury's Center Meeting House (945 Rt 103, Newbury, NH) at 7pm.

Ecologist Chris Kane, who is credited with rediscovering the Mt Sunapee primeval forest a couple decades ago (and who appears in the film), will be on hand for a Q&A session following the film.

Chris Kane at an ancient Yellow Birch

Also participating in the Q&A will be Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and Steve Russell, president of the Friends of Mount Sunapee. Both also appear in the film, and are avid, knowledgeable spokesmen for the state's exemplary Mt. Sunapee forest. 

Yours truly (Ray Asselin) will be there as well for the Q&A, although I take a back seat to Chris, Dave, and Steve.

 

Dave Anderson beside old sugar maple

 

 

Steve Russell at a large white ash tree

The Mt Sunapee old forest is situated on rugged terrain, and can be a rather arduous and treacherous destination for casual hikers to climb to. The film will take you to see the best of it, from a storm-battered, stunted beech grove on the summit, to the mid-slope stands of grand old yellow birch, sugar maple, and ash.

And you'll have access to the three experts who are most knowledgeable about the background story of this forest, as well as its contents... all eager to answer your questions. Do take advantage of this opportunity!

 

The event is free and open to the public.

For more info, see Friends of Mt Sunapee's website.

 

Note: some publicity articles state that the event will be held at the Newbury Veterans Hall, but the venue has been changed to the Center Meeting House.