On Sunday, August 30th, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust’s Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area in Moultonborough, NH, was formally inducted into the national Old-Growth Forest Network. In a private ceremony, Old-Growth Forest Network’s Founder, Joan Maloof, presented a plaque to Lindsay Rosa, LRCT Executive Director, in acknowledgement of this protected forest and its exceptional stewards. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a guided hike led by environmental scientist Dr. Rick Van de Poll.
Located in the Ossipee Mountains of Moultonborough and Tuftonboro, the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area encompasses 5,246 acres, over 800 of which are old-growth forests. There are 21 delimited old-growth areas that range from 1 acre to 238 acres. These are scattered across the property, although most reside in the upper elevations. The most common old-growth forest type is Red Oak Rocky Ridge, followed by Dry Red Oak-White Pine Forest and Northern Hardwood Forest. At least two of the old-growth areas, the Rich Red Oak Rocky Woods and the Circumneutral Red Cedar Rocky Ridge, are state-recognized rare natural communities. The oldest known tree ages are 385 years for eastern hemlock, 315 years for white pine, and 360 years for white oak.
The Lakes Region Conservation Trust purchased this property for conservation and recreation in 2002 and currently maintains 30 miles of trails, including much of the historic carriage road system, providing opportunities for hiking andcross-country skiing. LRCT subsequently established the Castle Preservation Society (CPS) in 2006 to own and steward the historic buildings on the property, including Lucknow Mansion (also known as the Castle) and 135 acres of its surrounding grounds, on which LRCT holds a conservation easement. In late 2024, Lucknow and the surrounding 5,000+ acre conservation areas were listed as a National Historic Landmark.
“At LRCT, we believe conservation is a promise to future generations,” says Lindsay Rosa. “The old-growth forests at Castle in the Clouds remind us what that promise looks like over hundreds of years. This recognition celebrates not only an extraordinary forest, but decades of commitment to protecting healthy watersheds, thriving wildlife, and responsible public access to the landscapes that define the Lakes Region. We are honored to have this forest recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network and grateful to everyone whose vision and stewardship have made its permanent protection possible.”
The mission of the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) is to connect people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. The organization’s goal is to preserve at least one forest in every county in the United States that can sustain a forest, estimated to be 2,370 out of a total of 3,140 counties. OGFN’s program works to identify forests for the Network, ensure their protection from logging, and connect people to these properties so they may experience old-growth forests. OGFN also educates about the extraordinary ecological and human wellness benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests.
Founded in 2012 by Dr. Joan Maloof, OGFN has over 345 forests in 41 states. The Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area is the fourth New Hampshire forest to be entered into the Old-Growth Forest Network. It joins Snyder Brook Scenic Area and Big Pines Natural Area in Hemenway State Forest in Carroll County, and Norton Pool in Coos County. Other OGFN forests in the Northeast include Mohawk Trail State Forest in Franklin County, MA, Belden Forest in Hartford County, CT, Oakland Forest in Newport County, RI, Old Growth Trail in Green Lakes State Park in Onondaga County, NY, and many more. The full list of forests in the Network may be viewed at www.oldgrowthforest.net/network-forests.
Maloof says, “Every forest added to the Network is a cause for celebration. It signifies that a forest will be preserved for future generations of humans, as well as all the plants and animals that live there. I am grateful to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust for both preserving the forest and keeping it open for the public to experience.”
OGFN depends on volunteers in each U.S. county to help identify and induct forests into the Network. Dr. Rick Van de Poll of Center Sandwich is our dedicated volunteer in Carroll County and was instrumental in the inclusion of Castle in the Clouds. Interested volunteers are welcome to contact OGFN through www.oldgrowthforest.net.
You can contact the Old-Growth Forest Network by contacting Sarah RobbGrieco, Northeast Regional Manager, at 978.807.7409 or sarahrg@oldgrowthforest.net.