Finding my North Country Community
Written by Sam Trombley, Backyard Concept Marketing Manager
Photography Credits: Alexandra Roberts Photography and Wild Roots Branding.
Participating in panel discussions fosters opportunities to connect with experts in your field, engage new audiences and learn from the successes and challenges of your peers. Taking part in a panel discussion that relates not only to your professional life, but your personal one, toes an atypical yet gratifying line between sharing what you know to be true from your work, and the truths you derive from your experiences.
I recently joined a panel discussion with the Northern Forest Center (NFC) focused on fostering belonging for young residents in northern New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and New York. I went into the conversation prepared to home in on a point backed by data and my own journey to living in northern New Hampshire: the outdoors is our strongest asset for attracting and retaining new residents.
Last year, a Stay Work Play New Hampshire study found that respondents who live in New Hampshire between the ages of 20 and 40 rated the environment as a top reason for staying in the State. I moved to New Hampshire two years ago, from Boston, for a job in the outdoor industry and the chance to live as close to New England’s most iconic trail systems as I could get. So basically, I’m one of those data points.
During the NFC panel, I joined leaders from the Northern Forest communities:
Jess Grant, Conservation Associate, Adirondack Council
Dan Rogan, Katahdin Region Coordinator, Outdoor Sport Institute
Gillian Sewake, Director, Discover St. Johnsbury
Snacks at Big Day Brewing after a volunteer trail work day in Gorham. // Photo by Meag Poirier, Wild Roots Branding.
Our conversation led to a few of the big draws we collectively recognized for Millennials and Gen Z:
Outdoor recreation truly serves as the heart for community and belonging in many rural towns. Each panelist had a unique story to share about how time outdoors convenes local residents and provides attractive amenities for folks looking to move to the Northern Forest. Respecting the natural environment is a strong cultural value across the region, inspiring outdoor enthusiasts to meaningfully engage with the places where they play.
Take Gorham, NH, for example (where I live). On more than one occasion, I've met up with clients and colleagues on a bike or hiking trail, followed by lunch at my favorite brewery right off the trail system. I've spent many weekends doing trail work with local organizations who treat volunteers to an après event afterward. There is a palpable interconnectivity among residents, our local trail systems, and downtown economies.
The North Country can offer young people the chance to step into leadership roles. While joining a nonprofit board in Boston, for example, may seem unattainable in your mid-20s, a lot of nonprofit organizations in northern New Hampshire and neighboring states, in particular conservation trusts and trail clubs, are eager for younger members to step into leadership roles as their member base declines. It’s critical to the longevity of these organizations to welcome innovators with fresh ideas.
When no organization exists to address a societal issue, younger people in the North Country often take matters into their own hands. I recently joined the Board of Inclusive Ski Touring (IST), a nonprofit that breaks down economic barriers to uphill ski touring and split boarding. Founded in 2021 by Zach McCarthy, IST started as a way for a group of friends to share their love of the sport. As it grew, the need to address the exclusivity of uphill touring became clear. In its third year, IST supported 745 participants, 70% of whom were new to the sport. In the 2024 season, 76% were female, 4% were nonbinary, and 18% were people of color.
Recognizing Barriers
While we discussed the benefits of living in the North Country, we didn’t ignore the challenges. The Stay Work Play study highlighted issues like affordable housing, diversity, childcare, and public transportation as areas where New Hampshire falls short. Organizations like Stay Work Play and NFC are working to address these. Stay Work Play hosts events to connect young people, including legislative receptions, "Politics & Pints" meet-ups, a "rising stars" awards program, and the NH Next summit. NFC is tackling housing with major projects in Tupper Lake, NY, and Bethel, ME.
For me, taking part in the NFC panel sparked deep reflection on the past two and half years I’ve lived in the Northern Forest region. I’m grateful I’ve found a community where I’ve been able to put down roots, make lasting friendships, and be close to the activities that bring me the greatest joys in life. I recognize I had the privileges of a great career opportunity and a strong support system to make this move. I want to see more younger folks find home in New Hampshire’s outdoor communities, which is why I’m very excited that Backyard Concept, New Hampshire’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development, and Granite Outdoor Alliance will be working on several projects that highlight outdoor recreation as a tool for attracting and retaining New Hampshire residents. Enhancing access to outdoor spaces, promoting sustainable economic development, and working with partners in sectors like housing and healthcare will be critical pieces to the puzzle.