About Forest Watch
The Forest Watch program conducts basic and applied research on forest ecosystems in New England.

Data is collected by students in grades K-12, sampled from trees in their study area.

• White Pine
• Sugar Maple

This program is funded by the New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium, located at the University of New Hampshire's Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space.

January 18, 2011

THIS YEAR marks the 25th anniversary of the loss of the Challenger and its crew of astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, a social studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire.  Forest Watch was initiated 20 years ago to commemorate McAuliffe and her dedication to learning about space. 

In 1986, Concord High science teacher Phil Browne appealed to NASA scientists to help his students regain their trust in science and in NASA. UNH scientist Barry Rock, recently transferred from NASA, answered Browne. Together, they brainstormed Forest Watch.

Dr. Rock and Browne have recently retold their story for Channel 11, Channel 9, New Hampshire Magazine and other news organizations. Browne speaks movingly of how inspired he was by McAuliffe’s ideas and enthusiasm.

To celebrate Christa’s life and her inspiration to Forest Watch, we plan:

• Forest Watch Student Convention, Friday, May 27, at UNH.  Middle and high school students who participate in Forest Watch are invited to present posters or demonstrations of Forest Watch activities, field methodologies, laboratory measurements, data analyses and any other aspect of the program. Teachers are invited to present workshops on how they have integrated Forest Watch into their schools’ curriculum.  Participants will have a chance to meet UNH researchers and to learn about current research in Durham.  For more information, go to Student Conference.