Over the past century, much Western philosophy has gravitated toward the notion that reality is a matter of perspective. Let's apply this to Proctor! Ask most people to identify Proctor, and they'll say something like, "It's a cool, unique college prep school."

Or, "It's a school that has lots of amazing experiential programs." Others might define the school by the nature of its community.

Our attorneys might say, "It's a 501 (c) 3, a not-for-profit corporation managed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees." To a few, however, it is one of the State of New Hampshire's finest tree farms. The next three images--all taken in November--depict Land Use Manager Dave Pilla with Wildlife Science students in our woodlot.

This week, Proctor Woodlands was named Outstanding Community Tree Farm by the state's tree farm system; ("community" means private, non-profit land holdings.) The award acknowledges sustainable, sound land management practices. "Plenty of others are doing great work at this," observes Dave. "What turned it for us is the education component: getting kids into the woodlot for forestry classes, wildlife sciences...the woods team."

He goes on, "It's a wonderful acknowledgement, but I also see it as a call to challenge us. As a school, we need to value the time it takes for our students to get out and into the land. It's both an ethical and a spiritual matter."

Yesterday, wildlife science students strapped on snowshoes to visit a site off the Phelps Trail where there's evidence of bobcat activity. They have just enough time to get in, make observations, and get back for the next class.

While they were getting started, one student took me aside and commented, "In order to graduate, every student should have a class with Dave." An ethical matter, indeed....

At the Blackwater Celebration Saturday night, a four-year senior remarked that it was his first time at the Blackwater. Ever! His experience of Proctor is a matter of perspective. This last image, taken by sophomore Peter Wade, is from that night...at the top of Blackwater Hill...looking north across the valley...over Proctor...towards our award-winning, 2500-acre woodlot on Ragged Mountain.