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About David Govatski, Co-Curator
David Govatski retired from the US Forest Service after a 30-year career as a Fire and Aviation Management Officer, Forester and Silviculturist. An avid naturalist with a focus on birds and alpine plants, a hiker, canoeist, Nordic skier, and snowshoer, he is one of a dozen people to have red lined all the trails in the White Mountains. David has a small forestry and natural resource consulting company in addition to his volunteer activities. He serves on the Board of Directors of several environmental organizations and is an active trip leader.
David has researched the White Mountain National Forest extensively and written many articles. A selection of his work is available below.
Administrative History
The White Mountain National Forest celebrated its 100th Anniversary on May 16, 2018. To learn more about the story behind the creation of this crown jewel of New England, its history, and future challenges, click here to read an article by exhibition co-curator, David Govatski.
Civilian Conservation Corps Camps
The Civilian Conservation Corps had a total of 16 camps operating on the National Forest in the 1930s. An additional three camps were working on state forest and parks and two more worked on private forest lands nearby. Click here to see the full list complied by exhibition co-curator, David Govatski.
Guard Stations
Guard Stations were established by 1915 at Swift River, Glencliff, Woodstock, Gale River, Israel River, Peabody River and Wild River. By 1942, there were 14 guard stations usually staffed by two men whose job it was to protect the forest and provide recreational opportunities to the public. Click here to see the full list complied by exhibition co-curator, David Govatski.
WMNF Maps
Over 30 WMNF maps have been produced by the US Forest Service since the first map came out in 1914. In the early years maps were updated annually to reflect the rapid changes in public ownership brought about by the Weeks Act. After the Great Hurricane of 1938, the maps in 1939-1942 denoted areas closed to the public because of the high fire danger posed by the hurricane ravaged forest. Later years brought less frequent map products including a large gap from 1942 to 1963. The last WMNF map produced was in 1993. Exhibition co-curator David Govatski has researched the history of WMNF maps: click here to learn more.
Scenic Areas
Few people know much about the designation of scenic areas on the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). Even fewer can identify all ten designated scenic areas even though they may have visited them or saw the boundaries marked on trail maps. The following article, written by exhibition co-curator, David Govatski, tells the story of designated scenic areas: click here to learn more.