The Northern Forest Center has launched a completely new website—www.northernforest.org—that features a wealth of information about the 30-million acre forest of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

www.northernforest.org is organized into five sections so that users can easily locate the information they seek.  The new site was funded in part by Verizon, Inc., to support collaboration among the Center and communities and organizations across New Hampshire and the Northern Forest.

“The Northern Forest” section of the site gives background about the region’s people, its geography, history and culture, current opportunities and challenges, and its potential to be a world leader in learning about and teaching how to live in a way that sustains both people and nature.

“We designed the site to become the place to go for information about the Northern Forest,” said Kelly Short, the Northern Forest Center’s communications director. “We’re particularly excited about the ‘Resources & Events’ section, where we’ll post a wide range of information about the Northern Forest—everything from events and funding opportunities to helpful publications, websites and visitor information. We invite other organizations working in the region to submit information using the online forms designed specifically for the site.”

Already, www.northernforest.org is packed with information about the region, including:

• The tour schedule for Ways of the Woods, the Center’s “museum on wheels”;
• The latest research findings generated by the Sustainable Economy Initiative, which seeks to develop a strategic blueprint for sustainable economic development in the region based on balanced investment in business, community and environment;
• Information about the Northern Forest Partnership Program, including lists of grant recipients;
• A list of visitor information websites;
• Descriptions and links to many of the organizations the Center collaborates with in the fields of arts, conservation, economic development, education, forestry, heritage and culture, recreation, renewable energy and others dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the region;
• Additional helpful resources, including guidebooks, reports, websites or other materials that convey useful information about the Northern Forest; and
• A community-generated calendar of events, which are submitted by using the site’s “Submit An Event” feature.

www.northernforest.org was specifically designed to be a place where those who care about the region can share information. Organizations throughout the Northern Forest are invited to submit events, resources and visitor information using electronic forms on the site. The Center will continue to develop new content and tools to support collaboration across the region.

Readers can also use the website to sign up to:

• Receive Northern Forest Network News, the Center’s bi-monthly e-newsletter of resources, funding opportunities and upcoming events;
• Receive Northern Forest Connections, the Center’s printed newsletter;
• Support the Center and its programs by making donations via a secure online connection.

Founded in 1997, the Northern Forest Center works through networks and partnerships to build a sustainable economy, revitalize local communities and conserve the landscape of the Northern Forest of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

“Over the last 10 years we’ve worked with others to develop a shared vision for the future of the Northern Forest,” said Short. “It’s an ambitious vision that no single organization can achieve, so building networks of organizations and individuals that can work together is a priority for us. The website gives us a new tool for reaching out to others, sharing information and facilitating collaboration across the region.

“We’re very grateful for Verizon’s support of our networking and information sharing.”

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