Much of the original land in the Cornish Town Forest was farmed. According to the book, “Reading the Forested Landscape” and historical documents, it appears that it was cleared in the early 1800’s but then later abandoned (as was much farmland in the Northeast) until the end of the century. Of course, during that time the forest regenerated, only to be logged again at least two more times. The parcel was locally known as Wellman’s Hill.
In 1972, then current owner Davis Forest Industries, conceived a different use for the property and surveyed it for an 18 lot housing subdivision. For whatever reason, that plan lay idle for the next 23 years.

Eventually Davis Industries sold the land to Stanley Olsen, a developer from Crystal River, Florida in 1995. An access road from the south, through Claremont was needed to realize the housing development plan, but the city of Claremont refused to upgrade Root Hill Road (the access road) and Stanley Olsen’s dream to complete the housing development plan was dead.

The aging Olsen had over 3,000 acres of land in NH, and at the urging of his son, he sold all his land holdings, including Wellman’s Hill to SPNHF in 1997.

The Cornish Conservation Commission had been trying for some time to identify an appropriate property for a town forest, and Mike Yatsevitch, a longtime member of Cornish Conservation Commission (CCC), learned of SPNHF’s plan to resell Wellman’s Hill/Forest. The word was that SPNHF had a buyer who was interested in the property for its timber liquidation value (assessed to be $100k).

The CCC resolved to negotiate for this parcel and offered its entire accumulated conservation fund ($70K) in 1998. Fortunately for Cornish, SPNHF accepted the lesser offer, on the condition that they retain the conservation easement for the property. A most agreeable arrangement, allowing both parties to meet their primary goals, removing the possibility of a liquidation forest clear cutting, eliminating the continued threat of development, and the preservation of undeveloped land. And that is the story of how Cornish got its Town Forest!

A committee formed, and a Town Forest Management Plan was created in December of 2002. An excerpt from the management plan describes the forest’s assets and allowed uses (also found on the town webpage):

“The purpose of the town forest is to preserve undeveloped land for the benefit and enjoyment of the residents of Cornish. Benefits include preservation of aesthetic, accessible, natural lands; maintenance (or restoration) of forest, shrub and grass ecosystems; hunting access; development and maintenance of trails for hiking, skiing and mountain biking as well as suitable access for horses and motorized vehicles; access for disabled individuals; opportunities for education about forest and wildlife management, and the ecology, geology and history of the area; preservation of the Connecticut River Valley “scenic corridor”; preservation of water quality; community involvement and management for sustainable forest products.

Specific management priorities include ensuring that residents have access to natural, healthy lands; protection and preservation of unique natural habitats such as vernal pools, mesic forests, wetlands and near “old growth” woods; recognition and protection of the existing and potential natural systems of flora and fauna; access and education programs to foster appreciation of these natural resources; and minimum impact sustainable forest harvests in selected areas for improved forest health as well as cash income to finance town forest projects.

In order of importance, timber harvest is last and should be performed only when forest health will not be harmed. It must be done in strict accordance with current best management practices and with meticulous attention to minimizing aesthetic impact.

There are trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing. Motorized vehicles and horses are permitted on Root Hill Rd, the loop road and powerline right of way when the ground is dry. The entire forest is open to licensed hunters in season. 20 acres in the south and west portion of the forest are designated for commercial timber management.
The town forest is managed by a committee of 3 residents plus a representative from the select board and one from the conservation commission. The committee holds work days/meetings at least 3 times a year. For more information, and or to get involved, contact any committee member.”

Ginny Prince, Chair virginiatprince@gmail.com
Jim Fitch fitchfarm@gmail.com
Ed Woodbury edwoodbury@hotmail.com
Conservation Commission Liaison – Reyer Jaarsma reyer@myfairpoint.net
Selectboard Liaison – Frank Parks flparksfam@gmail.com