Land Conservation News

A New Tool for Easement Monitoring

The Harris Center has added a new tool to our conservation easement monitoring program: drone photography.

Protecting Willard Pond Brook

The Harris Center is working to protect 74 acres of high-priority wildlife habitat south of Willard Pond in Hancock and Antrim.

Listening to the Pulse of Everything

Announcing an exquisite new short film, filmed on Harris Center-conserved land and gifted to us by local filmmaker Dan Kennedy, with narration and score by Adam Arnone.

Field Report from the 2021 Vernal Pool Project

In 2021, our community scientists documented 8 new vernal pools in three Monadnock Region towns.

A New Trail Guide — and Better Berry Picking — at Partridge Woods

The Nelson Trails Committee recently created a new trail guide and launched a wild blueberry restoration effort at Partridge Woods, which was protected in partnership with the Harris Center.

Volunteers and Partners Honored at 2021 Annual Meeting

The Harris Center recognized several extraordinary partners and volunteers at our 51st Annual Meeting on October 15.

A Dramatic Loon Rescue on Nubanusit Brook

In July, Harris Center staff and volunteers worked with Loon Preservation Committee biologists to rescue an adult loon that had been swept down Nubanusit Brook in high water.

KSC Interns Explore the Conservation Field with the Harris Center

In July, we wrapped up our eighth season of the Harris Center-KSC conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates in environmental studies, biology, and related fields.

Tagging Along with Broad-winged Hawks

In an exciting new research collaboration, biologists from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary recently attached satellite transmitters to three Broad-winged Hawks nesting in the SuperSanctuary.

More Comfortable Camping at Spoonwood Pond

Camping at Spoonwood Pond has been made more comfortable with the addition of tent platforms at two of the Harris Center’s remote campsites.

The Scoop on Dog Poop

Leashed dogs are welcome on Harris Center trails, but it’s important to pack out any dog waste. Here’s why it’s important to pick up after your dog.

Field Report from the 2020 Vernal Pool Project

In 2020, our socially-distant citizen scientists documented 8 new vernal pools in four Monadnock Region towns.

An Irruption Year for Finches

This is a banner year to see irruptive winter finches! A bonanza of Red Crossbills found its way to the Harris Center in late summer, and there are more finches to come in the colder months.

Trailside Wood Carvings Bring Downed Trees to Life

Jack McWhorter has spent the summer and fall artfully carving creatures out of downed trees along the Harris Center’s Harriskat Trail.

New Motus Station Will Contribute to Migration Research

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is revolutionizing the study of winged migration, and it’s coming to the Monadnock Region!

50th Anniversary Year Comes to Celebratory Close at 2020 Annual Meeting

The Harris Center honored several extraordinary partners and celebrated the conclusion of our 50th Anniversary Year at our 2020 Annual Meeting.

Hiking Safely During Hunting Season

Autumn is arguably the best time of year to go for a walk in the woods. It’s also hunting season. Here’s what you need to know to safely share the woods this fall.

An Update on our Broad-winged Hawk Tracking Project

The Harris Center is working Hawk Mountain to tag Broad-winged Hawks with satellite transmitters, as part of ongoing efforts to better understand the ecology and migratory behavior of this iconic species.

Volunteers Install Nest Raft for Spoonwood Pond Loons

For the last few summers, loon nests on Harris Center land along Spoonwood Pond have failed due to predation. This year, the Spoonwood loons may fare better, thanks to the installation of a new nest raft.

Go Wild: Things Your Kids Can Do Outside

Outside time is critical for mental and physical health — especially for kids and families. Here are some ideas for activities your kids can do as a break from screen-based remote learning.

41 Acres Protected in East Harrisville

In January, the Harris Center permanently protected 41 forested acres in East Harrisville.

58 Acres Protected on Gregg Lake

In December, George and Michelle Caughey donated a conservation easement on a 58-acre parcel in Antrim, protecting 2,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline on Gregg Lake.

The Harris Center’s Big Year of Birding

Join us for a “Big Year of Birding” — a year-long effort to celebrate 50 years of land protection and environmental education by cataloguing the birds that make the SuperSanctuary their home.

Field Report from the 2019 Vernal Pool Project

In 2019, our interns and citizen scientists documented 23 new vernal pools in four Monadnock Region towns.

Visionary Founder and Extraordinary Partners Honored at 2019 Annual Meeting

The Harris Center honored our founder and several extraordinary partners at our 49th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 20.

An Opportunity to Protect Land in East Harrisville

The Harris Center has been given an opportunity to protect a 41-acre parcel in East Harrisville.

KSC Interns Explore Conservation with the Harris Center

In late June, we wrapped up our seventh successful season of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates in environmental studies, biology, and related fields.

Harris Center Purchases Granite Lake Headwaters

In June, the Harris Center purchased the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard, ensuring its permanent protection.

Eastview Land Protected

With support from many Friends of the SuperSanctuary, the Harris Center has just purchased the last remaining unprotected parcel along the popular Eastview Rail Trail in Harrisville.

Granite Lake Headwaters Protected

Thanks to support from NHDES, Q2C, and many individual donors, the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard will be permanently protected.

Protecting the Eastview Trail

The Harris Center is now working to conserve the last remaining unprotected parcel along the popular Eastview Rail Trail in Harrisville.

A Conservation Milestone at Silver Lake

80% of the Silver Lake watershed in Harrisville and Nelson – including 2.9 miles of shoreline – is now protected.

Working Together to Protect the Granite Lake Headwaters

We are now just $20,000 away from permanently protecting the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard.

Partners Honored at 2018 Annual Meeting

The Harris Center recognized several extraordinary partners at our 48th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 28.

Field Report from the 2018 Vernal Pool Project

In 2018, our citizen scientists documented 23 new vernal pools in five Monadnock Region towns.

KSC Interns Explore Conservation Research with the Harris Center

2018 was the sixth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates in Environmental Studies.

Protecting the Granite Lake Headwaters

The Harris Center is working to protect the Granite Lake Headwaters property, a 515-acre parcel located in the Stoddard highlands.

Reviving a Rail Trail

The Manchester & Keene Railroad line debuted in 1878, but fell into disrepair after the Great Flood of 1936. Now, with the help of many extraordinary partners, a 1.5-mile segment of the old rail line in Hancock and Harrisville, NH has been reopened for non-motorized recreation.

A Silver (Lake) Opportunity

We’re working with several partners to conserve the largest remaining undeveloped, unprotected property on Silver Lake.

Scenic Gateway Protected in Hancock

The Harris Center has just protected a small, but significant parcel of land on Forest Road (Route 123) in Hancock.

In the Field with the 2017 Conservation Interns

We just wrapped up our fifth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates.

88 Acres Protected in Stoddard

This project ensures the full protection of the Robb Reservoir shoreline and includes a half-mile of river frontage along the North Branch.

In the Field with the 2016 Conservation Interns

In late June, we wrapped up our fourth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a seven-week summer internship experience for undergraduates.

580 Acres Protected in Nelson

The Harris Center and Nelson Conservation Commission have just completed the first phase of the Osgood and Hurd Hill land protection project.

Volunteers Lauded at 2015 Annual Meeting

The Harris Center recognized many extraordinary partners at our 45th Annual Meeting on October 18.

In the Field with the 2015 Conservation Interns

Under the guidance of Harris Center staff and KSC faculty, four outstanding undergraduate interns assisted with many facets of the Harris Center’s diverse work.

In the Field with the 2014 Conservation Interns

The Harris Center-Keene State College internship program is a win-win.

109 Acres Conserved in Peterborough

The Harris Center has just purchased 109 acres on Brush Brook Road (Route 137), much of which is ranked by the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan as highest value wildlife habitat.

Crossing Bailey Brook

In September, the Nelson Trails Committee put the finishing touches on a new footbridge across Bailey Brook.

Reel In and Recycle at Robb Reservoir

The Harris Center recently installed a fishing line recycling bin at Robb Reservoir.

Science in the Supersanctuary with KSC

Four KSC students collected ecological data on Harris Center lands this summer as part of a new partnership with the KSC Environmental Studies Department.

Science and Stewardship at Otter Brook Farm

In early June, 8th graders from Great Brook and South Meadow Schools came together for a morning of service learning.

Announcing the Meade Cadot Land Conservation Fund

The Meade Cadot Land Conservation Fund will honor Meade by permanently enhancing the Harris Center’s ability to protect and steward land.

Celebrating Meade Cadot

Friends, family members, former students, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Meade Cadot as he retires from his role as Land Director and Senior Naturalist for the Harris Center.