Beaver Brook Association — Attraction in Hollis

Beaver Brook Association is a non-profit conservation association, dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of wild lands in the Hollis area. They maintain a large trail system, host activities at the main barn and surrounding buildings, and host wilderness learning activities lead by local experts on the plants and animals in the region. My favorite activity is the one they do for my kids called forest free time, where kids can just walk on a guided hike once a week, every week, no matter the weather (except dangerous freezing conditions where they will just hang out at the barn and indoor stuff that day). Kids have to learn how to move through the forest no matter rain, snow, mud, streams, rocks, brambles, etc. And they have a hoot doing it. They learn to dress appropriately for the conditions and deal with difficult circumstances. They have other programs too, for adults and kids. I also like the plot of land they lent to the American Chestnut Society, which is growing a large number blight resistant trees. The trees all belong to ACS, but I'd love to get my hands on a seedling or five and expand the project to my own property where I have a half dozen blight devastated husks sending up shoots. I'm proud my local conservation association is so deeply involved in this...

I have been here twice and loved it both times. Awesome trails and well marked. A couple suggestions.... Do take a map! We ended up hiking longer than we thought and had to make our way back for an hour in the dark. The map and trail blazes were extremely useful. One trail we found confusing was the French Meadow Cutoff trail. We ended up on a private road because we missed the blazes and took a right instead of a left. Although this might have been because it was dark, it was still confusing! A sign at that point (the trail to the private road between the Nichols Trail and the Eastman Meadow Trail) would have been useful to keep us on the French Meadow Cutoff. Overall though, a great place. Well...

BBA is an amazing association. We have enjoyed every visit to their buildings, trails and community hikes! Always fun to see the wildlife (deer, bunnies, birds) and that’s just on our drive out there! I have had multiple children in multiple programs and have loved all of them. The teachers are amazing and the classes leave my child knowing more about nature and survival! To quote my 5 year olds review of BBA, “I like outside, all the trails, my friends, the teachers, everything about it.” Highly recommend...