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Places We Protect

Sheldrick Forest Preserve

New Hampshire

A close up of bark on large pine trees.
Sheldrick Forest Old growth at Sheldrick Forest Preserve in Wilton, New Hampshire. © Eric Aldrich/The Nature Conservancy

Sheldrick Forest is a living, thriving symbol of what a community can accomplish by working together.

Overview

Description

Before European settlement, New Hampshire was cloaked in mature forests of towering pines, hemlocks, and oaks. Today, Sheldrick Forest offers a rare glimpse of that primeval world. This 227-acre preserve shelters old-growth stands where white pines soar over 150 feet and hardwoods have stood for centuries. Beneath their cathedral-like canopy, glacial eskers snake through the forest, and mossy ravines cradle clear streams.

In June, mountain laurel bursts into bloom, creating a fairyland of pink and white blossoms. Wildlife thrives here—barred owls call from the shadows, scarlet tanagers flash through the leaves, and tracks of deer, fox, and bobcat mark the forest floor. This living museum of biodiversity is part of a larger 2,800-acre conservation mosaic, protecting habitat and offering a peaceful retreat for all seasons.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Sheldrick Forest is a delight for visitors in any season.

Hours

Dawk to dusk, daily.

Highlights

Barred owls can often be heard (and sometimes spotted) nesting in the trees in early spring. In winter, look for tracks left behind by white-tailed deer, red fox, bobcat, black bear and fisher. Many bird species, such as pileated woodpecker, saw whet owl, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, wood thrush and a variety of songbirds call the forest home throughout the spring and summer.

Size

227 acres

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Photos from Sheldrick Forest Preserve

From towering pines and hemlocks to delicate mountain laurel blossoms and winding glacial eskers, there is timeless beauty at Sheldrick Forest.

A gray and white owl on a branch in the snow.
A black bear pawprint in mud.
Looking up into a canopy of trees.
A purple flower on a dark background.
A young boy holding a stick reaches into a stream.
A small songbird standing on the ground.
A tree covered in moss and two hiking boots.
A hand holding two acorns.
A cluster of yellow flowers.
Clusters of white flowers with green leaves.
A gray and white owl on a branch in the snow.

Barred Owl: Listen for the hooting 'who cooks, who cooks, who cooks for you all' call of barred owls in winter to spot them among the bare branches. © Scott Suriano/TNC Photo Contest 2019

A black bear pawprint in mud.

Pawprints in the mud: A black bear leaves his mark at the Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Haley Pope/TNC

Looking up into a canopy of trees.

Look Up: Tall, ancient trees can be found at Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

A purple flower on a dark background.

Purple Trillium: Sheldrick Forest is a magical place to discover wildflowers in the spring and summer. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

A young boy holding a stick reaches into a stream.

Always Exploring: There is so much to see in the rolling ups and downs of the trails at Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

A small songbird standing on the ground.

Field Sparrow: Songbirds flock to the Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Gail Coffey/TNC

A tree covered in moss and two hiking boots.

Meet the Moss: A hiker comes upon a mossy tree in the Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Haley Pope/TNC

A hand holding two acorns.

Acorns: Sheldrick Forest's bounty of nature comes in small packages too. © Haley Pope/TNC

A cluster of yellow flowers.

Goldenrod: Flowers of all colors bloom at Sheldrick Forest Preserve. © Haley Pope/TNC

Clusters of white flowers with green leaves.

Mountain Laurel: In the spring, Sheldrick Forest looks like a fairy wonderland © North Carolina Botanical Garden

Visit

    • Towering white pines and hemlocks—some over 200 years old.
    • Blooming mountain laurel in June, creating a fairyland feel.
    • Glacial features like eskers and ravines.
    • Wildlife: barred owls, scarlet tanagers, wood thrush, and tracks of black bear and bobcat.

    • Margaret’s Meander (0.8 mi): Gentle loop through mixed hardwoods and laurel thickets.
    • Charles Davisson Trail (1.2 mi): Moderate hike with interpretive stops and rich history.
    • Laurel Ridge Trail (1 mi): Walk along a glacial esker for sweeping forest views.

    • Parking: Small lot at trailhead.
    • Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
    • Best Seasons: Mountain laurel blooms in mid-June. In winter, snowshoes or shoe spikes are recommended for icy conditions.
    • What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, insect repellent, water and binoculars for wildlife viewing.
    • Dogs: Dogs are not allowed at this preserve.

  • To minimize disturbance of the wildlife and habitat of this nature preserve and to support the enjoyment of all visitors, please follow these guidelines:

    • Pedestrian use only—no motorized vehicles, horses, ATVs or bikes.
    • Leave No Trace—please keep the preserve clean by carrying out your trash.
    • Respect the natural world around you! Do not remove or destroy plants, wildlife, minerals, rocks or cultural items.
    • No camping or open fires allowed.
    • Pets are not permitted; help us protect wildlife on the preserve and be respectful of other hikers by leaving your pets at home.
    • Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (e.g., utility vehicles, Segways, golf carts, etc.) are prohibited at this preserve. 
A large tree with twisted roots.
Twisted Tree Some trees at Sheldrick Forest have been around for more than 200 years. © Rebecca Laflam

History

Bake Sales and Big Dreams: How a Community Saved Sheldrick Forest

The story of Sheldrick Forest’s protection is as inspiring as the forest itself. When the last Sheldrick family member passed away in 1994, the land was sold to a developer planning timber harvest and gravel mining. The future of this rare old-growth forest looked bleak—until local forester Swift Corwin sounded the alarm.

What happened next was extraordinary. A grassroots movement sprang to life, fueled by neighbors, schoolchildren, garden clubs, and local businesses. People organized bake sales, concerts, and community events to raise money. Children emptied piggy banks, and volunteers knocked on doors. Every dollar mattered, and the campaign became a rallying point for conservation across the region.

By April 1996, thanks to thousands of small acts of generosity and determination, The Nature Conservancy raised the funds to purchase the property. Sheldrick Forest was saved—not by one person or one organization alone, but by an entire community united to protect something irreplaceable.

Today, as you walk beneath towering pines and blooming mountain laurel, you’re experiencing more than a forest—you’re standing in the heart of a success story born from passion, perseverance, and the power of people working together.

Nearby Preserves

Need more nature? Visit The Nature Conservancy's other preserves.

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

See the Complete Map

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