Southern New Hampshire is well known for its many outdoor activities from hiking Mt. Monadnock to kayaking the Merrimack River to skiing at McIntyre Ski Area.  But when it comes to the perfect combination of fun and natural beauty with just a hint of learning, none can compare to Beaver Brook Association in Hollis, New Hampshire.

Beaver Brook was created in 1964 by two cousins, Hollis Nichols and Jeffery Smith.  Starting with only twelve acres of land, the two men developed a natural reserve where the public could come to learn about local flora and fauna while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the great outdoors.  Shortly after opening the area to the public, the state of New Hampshire sanctioned the Beaver Brook Association as an educational, non-profit organization.

Education of the public has been Beaver Brook’s mission from the start.  Proper maintenance of the land is taught through land stewardship programs which include the protection of the yet undeveloped Beaver Brook and Rocky Pond Brook watersheds that feed several major watersheds in southern NH and bordering Massachusetts.  Other educational programs offered include tree and plant identification, “backyard forestry”, outdoor survival skills, Native American studies, maple sugaring, snowshoeing and much more.  The association’s demonstration and display garden is one of the largest ”hands-on” gardens in the area and gives visitors the opportunity to learn tips and techniques on gardening as well as having a better understanding of gardening’s “hows and whys”.  Educational summer youth programs are offered starting in April and Beaver Brook also promotes its Summer Solstice and Fall Festival events as fun ways to enjoy learning more about our natural surroundings.

In addition to hosting class field trips and seasonal education programs, Beaver Brook Association boasts over 35 miles of trails available for hiking, cross-country skiing, biking and horseback riding.  The Association also has a campground, cabins and several other facilities that are available for rental. 

Over the past forty years, Beaver Brook Association has expanded its boundaries and grown from a 12-acre parcel of land to over 2000 sprawling acres of thickly wooded tree groves, winding streams and rolling hills.  Most of the additional land was donated to the association through grants from generous private citizens.  Today the Beaver Brook Association depends primarily on memberships and donations to continue its maintenance and wildlife education programs.

Southern New Hampshire offers many unique outdoor experiences and Beaver Brook Association in Hollis is one of the jewels in her crown.  If you’d like more information about Beaver Brook Association or would like to reserve one of their facilities or register for one of their summer youth programs, please visit their website at www.beaverbrook.org or call them at (603) 465-7787.