Calendar of Events
Outings
Events
3rd Annual Bird ID, Ecology & Habitat Management Workshop at Stone Fence Farm
Join Phil Brown, Matt Tarr, and others for a morning of birding and learning at Stone Fence Farm, a property owned and managed for a diversity of native species by professional foresters Jeremy Turner and Laura French.
Hiking Kidder Mountain
Join naturalist Gail Coffey and the Friends of the Wapack for a short hike along the Wapack Trail to the summit of Kidder Mountain, with nice views to the east and south.
Mushroom Meander for Veterans at Robin Hood Park
Join Harris Center naturalist John Benjamin and mushroom maven George Caughey for an afternoon meander through Robin Hood Park in search of polypores, puffballs, and other fascinating fungi. This hike is for veterans only.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Converse Meadow Trail
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a morning ramble with your young children! Together, we’ll listen to bird songs, search for animals of all kinds, smell spring flowers, and explore the wild world.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at the Harris Center
Join mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey for an afternoon meander in search of polypores, puffballs, and more!
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Fremont Field
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a morning ramble with your young children! Together, we’ll search for everyday magic like caterpillars, butterflies, salamanders, and more.
Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at the Distant Hill Nature Trail
Join naturalists Wendy Ward, Michael Nerrie, and Nate Marchessault for a morning of birding along the Distant Hill Nature Trail, a wheelchair-accessible, hard-packed gravel trail that winds through a rich hardwood-hemlock forest.
Field Foray with the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club
Join the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club as we search for crescents, blues, sulfurs, and other butterflies – and learn to identify them by their field marks, flight patterns, and behavior.
Easygoing Hike to Thacher Memorial Forest and Juggernaut Pond
Join Susie Spikol and Jeremy Wilson on this gentle, 2-mile+ loop hike, where we'll take our time to savor the sights and sounds of the summer woods, explore both natural and cultural history, and visit some giant white pines.
Environmental Studies Institute: Forest Bathing by Moonlight
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin certified yoga instructor and experiential educator Marilyn Wyzga and Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to discover the immersive power of nature under this summer’s full moons.
Birding the Heald Tract
Join avid birders Gail and Gerry Coffey for a 2-mile hike through a variety of habitats that are home to many breeding birds at the Forest Society’s Heald Tract in Wilton.
Celebratory Paddle at Robb Reservoir
Join Phil Brown, Alan Rumrill, and Geri Bailey for a leisurely paddle through one of the most diverse ecosystems in New England, where we'll look for eagles, turtles, and herons – and discuss the remarkable history of the 1,750-acre Robb Reservoir reservation.
Hike to Mount Wantastiquet and Indian Pond
Join Brian Bishoff and Betsy Marshall for a hike through the Forest Society’s Madame Sherri Forest to Mount Wantastiquet, with excellent views of the Connecticut River Valley.
Turtle Time
Join Matt Patterson, illustrator of the award-winning books "The Book of Turtles" and "Of Time and Turtles," on a slow meander in search of nests, basking sites, and other turtle finds. Perfect for elementary school-aged children and their families.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Ashuelot River Park
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a morning ramble with your young children! Together, we’ll search for everyday magic like caterpillars, butterflies, salamanders, and more.
Biodiversity in the SuperSanctuary: iNaturalist Field Training & Mini BioBlitz
Join ecologist Nate Marchessault for a hands-on introduction to iNaturalist. We'll start with group instruction on how to collect and submit natural history observations via the iNaturalist app, then venture out to document as many species as possible along the Eastview and North Pond Trails!
Paddling for Loons at Lake Skatutakee
Have you ever wondered what loons are saying with those eerie calls in the night, or why loon chicks ride on their parents’ backs? Join Jaden Brutsman of the Loon Preservation Committee and Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen to learn the answers to these questions and more!
Environmental Studies Institute: Forest Bathing by Moonlight
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin certified yoga instructor and experiential educator Marilyn Wyzga and Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to discover the immersive power of nature under this summer’s full moons.
SuperSanctuary Butterfly Count
Join the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club as we survey local meadows, woodlands, and wetland edges for coppers, crescents, skippers, swallowtails, fritillaries, and other beautiful butterflies! The data we collect will be submitted to both the North American Butterfly Association and the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network.
Family Ponding Adventure
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a pondlife safari on the shores of Norway Pond. Wild treasures await!
Kids Count for Wildlife: Monarchs and Milkweed Survey
If you love monarch butterflies and want to help scientists find out more about these remarkable insects, here’s your chance! Spend a morning with a team of Harris Center naturalists as we count monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies for science.
Monitoring for Monarchs
Take part in the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz by joining Harris Center ecologists Brett Amy Thelen and Nate Marchessault to survey for monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies in a local milkweed patch. No experience necessary!
LGBTQ+ Community Hike on the Hiroshi Loop Trail
Join Hunter Kirschner (he/they), Audrey Dunn (she/her), and Richard Doherty (he/him) to explore the sights and sounds of summer on an LGBTQ+ community hike along the 1.9-mile Hiroshi Loop Trail.
Hike to Eagle Rock and South Outlook on Beech Hill
Explore the history of Beech Hill and hear about exciting plans for the future of this special property on a 2.5-mile loop hike with Jeremy Wilson and Nikko Gagnon.
Lead Mine Road Ramble
Join Jeremy Wilson and Brett Amy Thelen for a relaxed, 3.2-mile ramble along one of the SuperSanctuary's most scenic country roads — and to learn some of the remarkable conservation history of the protected lands surrounding Lead Mine Road, Center Pond, and Silver Lake, which total hundreds of acres in all.
Hiking the Skatutakee-Thumb Loop
Lace up your hiking boots and join Harris Center naturalist Nikko Gagnon to trek to the top of Skatutakee Mountain, and saunter over the saddle to Thumb. The perfect outing for those with adventure in their heart and pep in their step!
Easygoing Hike to High Five Reservation and Wilson Hill
Join avid hikers Ben Haubrich and Phil Brown for an easygoing, 1.3-mile hike at the Forest Society’s High Five Reservation, with great views from Wilson Hill.
Environmental Studies Institute: Forest Bathing by Moonlight
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin certified yoga instructor and experiential educator Marilyn Wyzga and Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to discover the immersive power of nature under this summer’s full moons.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at MacDowell Lake
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a morning ramble with your young children! Together, we’ll search for everyday magic like caterpillars, butterflies, salamanders, and more.
Rock Hounders Family Rock Club: Beryl Mountain
Calling all rock hounds! Join naturalists Susie Spikol and Julie Brown for a rockin’ adventure in search of mica, feldspar, quartz, beryl, and other geological treasures at Beryl Mountain, a former pegmatite mine in Acworth.
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Nighthawk Migration Watch
Join Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a look up at the remarkable evening migration of Common Nighthawks. If it's an average night, we should get good looks at a handful of these acrobatic flyers. If it's better than average, we just might see hundreds of nighthawks foraging in giant flocks.
Birding for All: Birding the Nighthawk Migration
Nighthawks are among the last migrants to arrive each spring and the earliest to depart each “fall,” with southbound migration peaking in late August. Join nighthawk enthusiasts Cliff Seifer and Brett Amy Thelen to search for the spectacle!
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at the Harris Center
Come get your ‘shroom on with fun-gis John Benjamin and George Caughey as we search for mushrooms, slime molds, and other fascinating fungi.
SuperSanctuary BioBlitz
Our SuperSanctuary of protected lands encompasses more than 26,000 acres, and it’s chock full of native biodiversity. We’re documenting as many of these species as possible via the community science platform iNaturalist, and we need your help to find even more.
SuperSanctuary BioBlitz After Dark: Moth Lighting
During this BioBlitz bonus round, we’ll use the iNaturalist community science app to identify and document as many moth species as we can. Prepare to be amazed by the diversity, size, and beauty of our local nocturnal insects!
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club on the Hiroshi Land
Join fungi-philes John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungstatic foray on the Hiroshi Loop Trail in Peterborough.
Environmental Studies Institute: Wildlife Tracking & Sign
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesSharpen your senses and learn about the lives of your wild neighbors by joining Jonathan Shapiro of the Fox Paw School for a weekend of wildlife tracking.
Environmental Studies Institute: Wildlife Tracking & Sign
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesSharpen your senses and learn about the lives of your wild neighbors by joining Jonathan Shapiro of the Fox Paw School for a weekend of wildlife tracking.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Robin Hood Park
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil for these pint-sized adventures in Keene and beyond! Together, we’ll explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. This ongoing series is a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Environmental Studies Institute: Natural History of Monadnock Region Trees
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGet the most out of leaf-peeping season by joining retired forestry instructor Craig Houghton to discover the science and natural history of our local trees.
Easygoing Hike to Lily Pond Falls
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen and environmental historian Rowland Russell for a 2.8-mile roundtrip ramble along the base of Surry Mountain to Lily Pond Falls and back. We’ll take our time to savor the sights and sounds of the September woods, exploring both natural and cultural history.
Source to Sea Cleanup
Keene and Swanzey , United StatesMake a difference for our local rivers during the Connecticut River Conservancy's 28th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup!
Source to Sea Cleanup
Keene and Swanzey , United StatesMake a difference for our local rivers during the Connecticut River Conservancy's 28th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup!
Hiking the Beebe Trail to Temple Mountain and the Stone Chairs
Join avid hikers Gail and Gerry Coffey for a hike along the Beebe Trail to the summit of Temple Mountain, where we’ll enjoy great views and watch for migrating raptors.
Birding for All: Hawk Watch at Pack Monadnock
Want to see the "Greatest Show Above Earth"? There’s no better time or place to enjoy the migration spectacle in New Hampshire than the summit of Pack Monadnock in September. Join Phil Brown, Susie Spikol, and others to tally migratory raptors and other birds from the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory.
Nubanusit Canoe Trip for Veterans
Join Jeremy Wilson and Susie Spikol for an early autumn paddle on lovely Lake Nubanusit. This event is for veterans only.
Environmental Studies Institute: Natural History of Monadnock Region Trees
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGet the most out of leaf-peeping season by joining retired forestry instructor Craig Houghton to discover the science and natural history of our local trees.
All About Jack’s Pond: A History Hike
Join Hancock writer Eric Aldrich and Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Director JerriAnne Boggis for a 1.75-mile roundtrip hike to Jack’s Pond, where we'll learn about Jack — a once-enslaved African who gained his freedom — the families he was connected with, and how Black history, so long in the shadows, is now coming to light.
Environmental Studies Institute: Natural History of Monadnock Region Trees
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGet the most out of leaf-peeping season by joining retired forestry instructor Craig Houghton to discover the science and natural history of our local trees.
Sargent Camp Hike
Join Matthew Allen and Jeremy Wilson for a moderately strenuous hike of up to four miles around the Sargent Camp’s Lower Ledges, Boulder, and Washburn Trails, with great views of a heron rookery and beaver dam.
Up and Over Little Monadnock Mountain
Join avid hikers Brian Bishoff and Denny Wheeler for a 3-mile hike over Little Monadnock Mountain and down to Rhododendron State Park, with a stop at a viewpoint for lunch.
LGBTQ+ Community Hike at Kulish Ledges
Join Hunter Kirschner (he/they), Audrey Dunn (she/her), and Richard Doherty (he/him) to explore a scenic brook, meander along forest trails, and enjoy spectacular vistas (perfect for leaf peeping!) on an LGBTQ+ community hike at Kulish Ledges.
Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at the Manchester Cedar Swamp All Persons Trail
Join the Harris Center and The Nature Conservancy for a 1.2-mile, roundtrip ramble along an accessible trail in the heart of New Hampshire’s largest city. With its crushed stone surface, gentle grade, and benches, this trail is perfect for people of all abilities.
Environmental Studies Institute: Natural History of Monadnock Region Trees
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGet the most out of leaf-peeping season by joining retired forestry instructor Craig Houghton to discover the science and natural history of our local trees.
Perches in Peterborough: Birds, Trees & Brews
Join Steve Roberge and Phil Brown for a leisurely stroll in downtown Peterborough to learn about the trees around us and the birds that rely on them. As evening approaches, we’ll have the option to continue our discussion over drinks at Post & Beam Brewery.
Following in the Footsteps of John Kulish: Bald Mountain & Willard Pond
Join avid hikers Stan Smith and Vic Starzynski for a moderately strenuous, 4-mile trek to Bald Mountain and its southern summit. This hike includes an elevation gain of 900 feet and traverses land loved by John Kulish during his search for bobcats decades ago.
Easygoing Hike at Crotched Mountain
Join naturalist Nikko Gagnon and longtime outing leader Ben Haubrich for a 1.6-mile roundtrip hike on Crotched Mountain’s accessible Blueberry Ridge and Gregg Trails, with a panoramic view of peak foliage as our reward.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Caughey Forest
Join fungi-philes John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungstatic foray at Caughey Forest in Antrim. From boletes to amanitas, explore the fascinating world of fungi.
Foliage Hike for Veterans at Cathedral of the Pines
Join Harris Center's Susie Spikol and Cathedral of the Pines Executive Director Michelle Lowe for an afternoon exploration of the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, a historical site founded at the end of World War II to honor all veterans. This event is for veterans only.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Harris Center
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil for these pint-sized adventures in Keene and beyond! Together, we’ll explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. This ongoing series is a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Ecology Hike: Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp
Join avid hikers and naturalists Phil Brown and Tom Eid for a 3-mile walk-and-talk at the Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve in Antrim, where we’ll learn about the cultural history of Loverens Mill and explore a rare boreal white cedar swamp.
Celebratory Paddle at Robb Reservoir
Join Phil Brown, Alan Rumrill, and Geri Bailey for a leisurely paddle through one of the most diverse ecosystems in New England, where we'll look for eagles, turtles, and herons – and discuss the remarkable history of the 1,750-acre Robb Reservoir reservation.
Fall Waterfowl Safari
Join Phil Brown, Nate Marchessault, and other duck enthusiasts as we caravan to multiple waterbodies in search of migratory waterfowl and other late-fall migrants like eagles and gulls
Clubmoss Workshop at Distant Hill Gardens
Join naturalists Michael Nerrie and Nate Marchessault for an introduction to clubmosses and a tutorial on identifying the handful of species that occur in our area. Thanks to Distant Hill’s fantastic network of accessible trails, this workshop is wheelchair-accessible.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Converse Meadow
Converse Meadow Trail Converseville Road, Rindge, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil for these pint-sized adventures in Keene and beyond! Together, we’ll explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. This ongoing series is a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Easygoing Hike in Francestown
Join longtime outing leader Ben Haubrich and naturalist Susie Spikol for a gentle, 2.5-mile roundtrip walk through conserved land in Francestown.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Goose Pond
Join fungi-philes John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungstatic foray at Goose Pond in Keene. From boletes to amanitas, explore the fascinating world of fungi.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at the Harris Center
Join fungi-philes John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungstatic foray at the Harris Center in Hancock. From boletes to amanitas, explore the fascinating world of fungi.
51st Annual Peterborough-Hancock Christmas Bird Count
Every winter for more than 50 years, volunteers have scoured a 15-mile diameter circle in the Peterborough-Hancock area for birds as part of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) – the largest and longest-running community science project in the world. New volunteers are always welcome!
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Christmas Bird Count
Are you a tween or a teen with an interest in birds and birding? Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills, connect with other wildlife fans, and contribute to community science!
Early Winter Ramble for Veterans
Search for early signposts of winter in the Harris Center woods with naturalist Susie Spikol. We’ll take a slow meander to the Big Boulders, stopping to look and listen for winter bird calls, evergreen boughs, and evidence of mammals preparing for the cold months ahead. This hike is only for veterans.
Easygoing Hike at Pisgah State Park
Join Brett Amy Thelen and John Kondos for a relaxed ramble along Pisgah State Park's newly revamped Habitat Loop Trail — a 2.5-mile roundtrip route featuring stone walls, cellar holes, tranquil streams, and more.
Winter Tree Identification Workshop
Join Mike Gagnon and Matt Tarr of UNH Cooperative Extension for a relaxed ramble focused on winter tree identification. We’ll examine branching, buds, and bark while the leaves are off the trees, and discuss how each species functions as habitat for wildlife.
Easygoing Hike at McCabe Forest
Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol, Ben Haubrich, and Dave Anderson for an easygoing exploration of an exceptional Forest Society property near downtown Antrim. We’ll discover the diverse cultural and natural history of this site as we hike through a variety of habitats.
Kids Count: Juggernaut Pond Mammal Survey
Calling all kids ages 8 through 18 who love wildlife! Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to try your hand at field research and develop your naturalist skills.
Hiking the Hiroshi Loop
Join Harris Center ecologists Phil Brown and Brett Amy Thelen to hike the 1.9-mile Hiroshi Loop Trail, which winds gently through field and forest and along Nubanusit Brook to gorgeous views of Dinsmore Pond.
Environmental Studies Institute — Unraveling the Mysteries of a Murder: The Roosting Crows of Lawrence, MA
Join fellow Corvid enthusiasts Dan Gardoqui and Phil Brown in the urban wilds of downtown Lawrence, Massachusetts, where we’ll observe the massive winter roost of American Crows, which draws nearly 20,000 birds each night.
LGBTQIA+ Community Hike on the Monadnock Branch Rail Trail
Join Richard Doherty (he/him), Audrey Dunn (she/her), and Hunter Kirschner (he/they) for an LGBTQIA+ community hike along the Monadnock Branch Rail Trail in Jaffrey.
Birding the Dillant-Hopkins Airport
Join Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault and the Monadnock Bird and Nature Club (MBNC) for a morning of easygoing birding at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport — a local birding hotspot with great views of wetlands, woodlands, and fields.
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Great Backyard Bird Count
Are you a teenager or tween with an interest in birds and birding? Join a growing movement of young adults who are honing their wildlife observation skills, learning to recognize birds and their calls, and spending time outside building community with other young birders.
Winter Tracking Adventure for Families
Join Harris Center naturalist Nikko Gagnon for a family tracking adventure in the wilds of Ashuelot River Park. We’ll search the woods and river edges for leapers, bounders, waddlers, and walkers, and find out which wildlife call this special place home.
Trees & Tracks at Beech Hill
Join Jeremy Wilson and Susie Spikol to explore the highlands of Dublin from the beautiful Beech Hill trail network. Along the way, we’ll discuss the natural history of trees in winter and search for tracks, scat, and other signs of animals who make their homes in these woods.
Easygoing Hike at The Shattuck
Join Harris Center naturalist Phil Brown and avid hiker Jessie James for a leisurely, 3-mile meander along the paths of the Shattuck Golf Club, where we'll search for signs of wildlife and take in all that late winter has to offer.
Birding Plum Island
Join avid birders Kim Snyder and Nate Marchessault to search for seabirds, shorebirds, and maybe even Snowy Owls along the 8-mile barrier beach and adjacent marshes of Plum Island — a prime spot for winter birding.
Easygoing Hike Along the Boulder Trail
Join Phil Brown and Ben Haubrich for a leisurely one-mile ramble on the Harris Center’s East Side Trails, where we’ll look for mammal tracks, listen to spring birdsong, and take in the beauty of the giant glacial boulders.
Family Owl Prowl
Have a hoot with naturalists and owl lovers Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol as we dare to be animal adventurers! We’ll quietly prowl the twilight woods in search of wild owls, find out how these amazing nighttime hunters catch their meals, and even learn to speak owl. Perfect for families with children age 5 and up.
41st Annual Connecticut River Waterfowl Safari
Join Harris Center bird brains Eric Masterson, Phil Brown, and Nate Marchessault for a morning of waterfowl watching and welcoming spring arrivals back to the fields and waterways of the Connecticut River Valley.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Casalis State Forest
Casalis State Forest Elm Hill Road, Peterborough, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve
Join the fung-tastic duo of John Benjamin and George Caughey for an early spring meander in search of polypores, slime molds, brave early-fruiting mushrooms, and fungi long gone by.
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Hawkwatching at Pitcher Mountain
Are you a teenager or tween with an interest in birds and birding? Join a growing movement of young adults who are honing their wildlife observation skills, learning to recognize birds and their calls, and spending time outside building community with other young birders.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Children’s Woods
Children's Woods Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Easygoing Hike to Pine Point at Willard Pond
Join Susie Spikol and Trish Harper on an out-and-back adventure along NH Audubon’s Tudor Trail, which follows the western shoreline of pristine Willard Pond. Along the way, we’ll search for signs of spring and take in the beautiful view from sandy Pine Point.
Spring Wildlife Walk for Veterans
Join Harris Center naturalists for an easygoing ramble along the edge of MacDowell Lake, where we’ll search for spring birds, mammal sign, and nature of all kinds. No experience necessary! This hike is only for veterans.
Vernal Pool Hike at the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen for a 1.2-mile roundtrip hike to a hilltop vernal pool, where we'll explore the exquisite, ephemeral world of spring-breeding amphibians.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Beech Hill
Join the fung-tastic duo of John Benjamin and George Caughey for an early spring meander in search of polypores, slime molds, brave early-fruiting mushrooms, and fungi long gone by.
Coffee with the Birds ESI Course: Mindful Meanderings through Micro-Exploring
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Rock Hounders Family Rock Club: Chickering Mine
Calling all rock hounds! Join naturalists Susie Spikol and Julie Brown for a rockin’ adventure at an old mine, where we’ll search for feldspar, mica, quartz, beryl, and other geological treasures. For families with elementary-aged children and up.
Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at MacDowell Lake
Join Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a morning of birding at MacDowell Lake, where a hard-packed gravel path provides ample opportunity to enjoy birds of wetland and woodland alike. Beginning birders and all ages welcome!
Coffee with the Birds ESI Course: Mindful Meanderings through Micro-Exploring
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Bird Walk for Families in Antrim
Every spring, millions of migratory birds bring color and joyful sounds to our landscape. Uncover some of their secrets on this leisurely walk with Phil Brown, the Harris Center’s Bird Conservation Director. Our route will cover up to a half-mile along paved paths or roads.
LGBTQIA+ Community Hike at Bear’s Den
Join Richard Doherty (he/him) and Hunter Kirschner (he/they) for an LGBTQIA+ community hike through the Bear’s Den Natural Area. Expect “oohs” and “ahhs” from fellow trekkers as we explore this enchanting place! This hike is specifically for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Coffee with the Birds ESI Course: Mindful Meanderings through Micro-Exploring
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Birding for All: World Migratory Bird Day Walk
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by joining avid birders Nate Marchessault and Chris Liazos for an easygoing outing at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport – a local birding hotspot with great views of wetlands, woodlands, and fields. Beginning birders welcome!
Family Ponding Trip at Robin Hood Park
Hop, scoot, and dive into an adventure at Robin Hood Park with Harris Center teacher-naturalist Nikko Gagnon! Together, we’ll explore the pond and discover what watery critters call it home, from dragonflies and frogs to beetles and turtles.
Nature Journaling for Veterans
Join Harris Center naturalist and author Susie Spikol for a morning of exploring nature through observation and journaling. Discover how the simple practice of noticing and recording can help to deepen your connection to the natural world! All materials will be provided. This event is only for veterans.
Easygoing Hike to Porcupine Falls
Join nature fan Nikko Gagnon and Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault for an easygoing, 2.6-mile roundtrip hike along the Monadnock Conservancy's Porcupine Falls Trail. We’ll take in the sights and sounds of the spring woods as we follow peaceful White Brook to the falls.
Coffee with the Birds ESI Course: Mindful Meanderings through Micro-Exploring
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Robin Hood Park
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Willard Pond
Join the fung-tastic duo of John Benjamin and George Caughey for an early spring meander in search for polypores, slime molds, morels, and fungi long gone by.
Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at the Distant Hill Nature Trail
Join naturalists Wendy Ward, Michael Nerrie, and Nate Marchessault for a morning of birding along the Distant Hill Nature Trail, a wheelchair-accessible, hard-packed gravel trail that winds through a rich hardwood-hemlock forest.
Field Foray with the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club
Join the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club as we search for crescents, blues, sulfurs, and other butterflies – and learn to identify them by their field marks, flight patterns, and behavior.
4th Annual Bird ID, Ecology & Habitat Management Workshop at Stone Fence Farm
Join Phil Brown, Matt Tarr, and others for a morning of birding and learning at Stone Fence Farm, a property owned and managed for a diversity of native species by professional foresters Jeremy Turner and Laura French.
Forest Bathing Under the Full Strawberry Moon
Join naturalist Susie Spikol and yoga instructor Marilyn Wyzga to experience the quiet power of nature connection under the light of the full Strawberry Moon. Also known as Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing is an invitation to slow down and immerse yourself in the natural world through sensory awareness, standing yoga poses, breathwork, and other mindfulness techniques.
Paddling the North Branch
Join adventurers Kathy Schillemat and Al Stoops for a moderately strenuous paddle down the North Branch of the Contoocook River from below the Robb Reservoir dam to North Branch Pond. With luck, we may see herons, osprey, turtles, beavers, and maybe even otter or moose.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at RiverMead
RiverMead 150 RiverMead Road, Peterborough, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature along with residents from RiverMead. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Easygoing Hike at Elmwood Junction
Join historian Alan Rumrill and naturalist Susie Spikol for a historical exploration of the old railroad station at Elmwood Junction. Take a walk back in time as we visit different parts of this important former railyard, and discover how the railroad helped shape the history of the Monadnock Region.
Lost and Found: Looking for Native American History in Peterborough
Explore Native American history with archaeologist Dr. Robert Goodby in Peterborough’s Depot Square. Learn how to dig a test pit, then visit the Monadnock Center to view local archaeological finds and discover what they reveal about Native American life in the area.
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Kestrel & Bobolink Adventure
Are you a teenager or tween with an interest in birds and birding? Join Phil Brown and Susie Spikol on a special outing to a field where American Kestrels, Bobolinks, and other grassland birds breed. June is the peak month for activity, and with some luck, the resident kestrel pair will have returned to raise their young.
Exploring the Gramwick Trail
Join avid hikers Brian Bishoff, Betsy Marshall, and Denny Wheeler for a 2-mile roundtrip hike of the Monadnock Conservancy’s Gramwick Trail, with beautiful views of Mountain Brook Reservoir and Mount Monadnock.
Wild Paddlers at Cunningham Pond
Join Harris Center and Peterborough Recreation staff for a morning meander on Cunningham Pond, where we’ll look for turtles, frogs, herons, and other wildlife. This pond offers the perfect flatwater experience for new paddlers, and an enjoyable exploration for more experienced paddlers as well.
Beginner Birding in Surry
Join avid birders Wendy Gibbons and Jane Wing for an introduction to birding at the Joslin Road gravel pits, one of the best birding spots in the Keene area. Our 1.5-mile roundtrip route along a hard-packed gravel trail will take us through habitats ideal for raptors, ducks, shorebirds, and songbirds.
SuperSanctuary BioBlitz
Our SuperSanctuary of protected lands encompasses more than 26,000 acres, and it’s chock full of native biodiversity. We’re documenting as many of these species as possible via the community science platform iNaturalist, and we need your help to find even more. There are two sessions — 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Register for one session or both!
Field Foray with the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club
Join the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club as we search for swallowtails, sulfurs, and other butterflies – and learn to identify them by their field marks, flight patterns, and behavior.
Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at Glover’s Ledge
Join Chris Liazos, Phil Brown, and Susie Spikol for a 0.6-mile walk along the accessible trail at Glover’s Ledge, Antioch University New England’s outdoor classroom. We’ll explore the fascinating world of post-fledging birds and look for other wildlife as we explore this young forest. This ADA-compliant trail is wheelchair-accessible.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Hancock Depot Rail Trail
Hancock Depot 27 Depot Road, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Early Morning Forest Bathing
Start your day with birdsong, morning light, and the quiet power of nature connection on a morning meander through meadows and woodlands with naturalist Susie Spikol and yoga instructor Marilyn Wyzga.
Easygoing Hike Along Lead Mine Road
Join Jeremy Wilson and Brett Amy Thelen for a relaxed, 3.2-mile ramble along one of the SuperSanctuary's most scenic country roads — and to learn some of the remarkable conservation history of the protected lands surrounding Lead Mine Road, Center Pond, and Silver Lake, which total hundreds of acres in all.
SuperSanctuary Butterfly Count
Join the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club as we survey local meadows, woodlands, and wetland edges for coppers, crescents, skippers, swallowtails, fritillaries, and other beautiful butterflies! The data we collect will be submitted to both the North American Butterfly Association and the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network.
Wild Paddlers on the Contoocook River
Join Harris Center and Peterborough Recreation staff for a morning paddle along a quiet, meandering stretch of the Contoocook River. As we go, we’ll search for birds, turtles, and other wildlife. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or SUP, along with paddles and PFDs for each person in your boat.
Kids Count: Monarchs & Milkweed Survey
If you love monarch butterflies and want to help scientists find out more about these remarkable insects, here’s your chance! Spend a morning with a team of Harris Center naturalists as we count monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies for science.
Monitoring for Monarchs
Take part in the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz by joining Harris Center ecologists Brett Amy Thelen and Nate Marchessault to survey for monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies in a local milkweed patch. No experience necessary!
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club in Hancock
Let the fascinating world of fungi capture your imagination on this walk with mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey. Discover summertime mushrooms, and find out about the complex role this kingdom plays in our woodland ecosystems.
LGBTQIA+ Community Hike at Chesterfield Gorge
Join Richard Doherty (he/him), Audrey Dunn (she/her), and Hunter Kirschner (he/they) for an LGBTQIA+ community hike at Chesterfield Gorge State Park. We’ll explore the beauty of this stunning rock canyon at a leisurely pace, then eat lunch together at a nearby picnic area. This hike is specifically for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Tenant Swamp Boardwalk in Keene
Tenant Swamp Boardwalk 167 Maple Avenue, Keene, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Tenant Swamp in Keene, a unique wetland and mixed forest ecosystem accessible via a scenic boardwalk. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Invertebrates by Blacklight
Join naturalists Steven Lamonde, Nate Marchessault, and Susie Spikol for a nocturnal natural history adventure! Using special blacklights and flashlights, we’ll search for moths, caterpillars, and more. Discover the fascinating world of fluorescence, and see a summer night in a whole new light.
Easygoing Hike at Little Brook Farm
Join avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts Ben Haubrich and Jim Rothnie for a summer saunter at a special property in Jaffrey. We’ll begin in a beautiful garden on private land, then proceed through a mixed hardwood and evergreen forest and along the edge of an active beaver pond.
Birding for All: Birding the Nighthawk Migration
Nighthawks are among the last migrants to arrive each spring and the earliest to depart each “fall,” with southbound migration peaking in late August. Join nighthawk enthusiasts Cliff Seifer and Brett Amy Thelen to search for the spectacle!
Wild Paddlers at Willard Pond
Join Harris Center and Peterborough Recreation staff for a morning paddle on the quiet waters of Willard Pond, a secluded pond surrounded by conservation land. As we go, we’ll search for birds, turtles, loons, and signs of other wildlife.
Veterans Hike up Mount Skatutakee
Join the Harris Center and Keene Vet Center for a morning hike up Mount Skatutakee! As we travel along the 3-mile roundtrip Harriskat Trail, we’ll keep our eyes open for signs of late summer, from mushrooms to migrating birds. This hike is only for veterans.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club in Chesterfield
Let the fascinating world of fungi capture your imagination on this walk with mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey. Discover late summertime mushrooms, and learn about the complex role this kingdom plays in our woodland ecosystems.
Forest Bathing Soak
Hancock Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin naturalist Susie Spikol and yoga instructor Marilyn Wyzga for Forest Bathing — a mindful nature experience combining sensory awareness, standing yoga poses, and breathwork. Wear a swimsuit for this rare chance to wade into the clear waters of Nubanusit Lake from a private beach.
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Nighthawk Migration Watch
Join Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a look up at the remarkable evening migration of Common Nighthawks. If it's an average night, we should get good looks at a handful of these acrobatic flyers. If it's better than average, we just might see hundreds of nighthawks foraging in giant flocks.
Jack’s Pond: A History Hike
Join Hancock writer Eric Aldrich and Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Director JerriAnne Boggis for a 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to Jack’s Pond, where we'll learn about Jack — a once-enslaved African who gained his freedom — the families he was connected with, and how Black history, so long in the shadows, is now coming to light.
Birding for All: Hawkwatching at Beech Hill
Join Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a leisurely birding walk on the newly-constructed all-persons trail at Beech Hill in Dublin. Beginning birders welcome!
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at McCabe Forest in Antrim
McCabe Forest 2-84 Elm St Ext, Antrim, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at McCabe Forest in Antrim. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Easygoing Hike at Distant Hill
Explore Distant Hill’s quieter corners on this relaxed ramble with Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen and Distant Hill’s CEO (Chief Environmental Observer), Michael Nerrie.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at the Harris Center
Join mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungtastic foray at the Harris Center. From boletes to amanitas, explore the fascinating world of fungi!
Source to Sea Cleanup 2025
Keene and Swanzey , United StatesHelp clean up our local rivers during the Connecticut River Conservancy's 29th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup!
Source to Sea Cleanup 2025
Keene and Swanzey , United StatesHelp clean up our local rivers during the Connecticut River Conservancy's 29th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup!
ESI Course: Introduction to Mycology
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin George Caughey and John Benjamin, the leaders of the Harris Center’s Morel Quandary Mushroom Club, for a fascinating introduction to the science of mycology and natural history behind mushroom hunting. Learn about the role these unique organisms play in...
Beginner Birding in Surry
Join avid birders Wendy Gibbons and Jane Wing for an introduction to birding at the Joslin Road gravel pits, one of the Keene area's best birding spots. Our 1.5-mile roundtrip route along a hard-packed gravel trail will take us through habitats ideal for raptors, ducks, shorebirds, and songbirds.
ESI Course: Introduction to Mycology
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin George Caughey and John Benjamin, the leaders of the Harris Center’s Morel Quandary Mushroom Club, for a fascinating introduction to the science of mycology and natural history behind mushroom hunting. Learn about the role these unique organisms play in...
LGBTQIA+ Community Hike at the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve
Join Richard Doherty (he/him) and Hunter Kirschner (he/they) for an LGBTQIA+ community hike along a loop trail to a lookout point with great views of Keene below.
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Bird Banding Demonstration
Join Bird Conservation Director Phil Brown and naturalist Susie Spikol to observe the bird banding process in Antrim. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to grow your birding skills and connect with other young wildlife fans!
ESI Course: Introduction to Mycology
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin George Caughey and John Benjamin, the leaders of the Harris Center’s Morel Quandary Mushroom Club, for a fascinating introduction to the science of mycology and natural history behind mushroom hunting. Learn about the role these unique organisms play in...
North Pack Monadnock Hike
Join Phil Brown and Jessie James for challenging 6-mile loop hike along a beautiful trail to a scenic viewpoint on North Pack Monadnock.
Mushroom Meander for Veterans at Robin Hood Park
Join Harris Center naturalist John Benjamin and mushroom maven George Caughey for an afternoon meander through Robin Hood Park in search of polypores, puffballs, and other fascinating fungi. This hike is for veterans only.
Mount Monadnock Hike
Join former Monadnock State Park Manager Ben Haubrich, Trish Harper, and Susie Spikol for a challenging, 5-mile roundtrip hike up Mount Monadnock that will be both scenic and historic as Ben share's his favorite memories of working at this iconic mountain.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Beech Hill in Dublin
Beech Hill Beech Hill Road, Dublin, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Beech Hill in Dublin. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Easygoing Hike at Crotched Mountain
Join Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno to hike one of Crotched Mountain’s universal-access trails. We’ll be on the lookout for signs of the season as we move slowly, making intentional stops to discuss natural history and other points of interest.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Robin Hood Park
Join mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey for a fungtastic foray in Keene. From boletes to amanitas, explore the fascinating world of fungi!
Hiking Kilburn Pond
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen and John Kondos of Friends of Pisgah for a 3.5-mile loop hike around scenic Kilburn Pond, with views of woods and water. Along the way, we'll explore stone walls, rock outcroppings, a 1930s-era dam, and more.
Fern Identification 101: Evergreen and Tardy Ferns
Join fern experts Michael Nerrie and Nate Marchessault for a late-autumn workshop on fern identification, featuring a presentation, live specimens, and a short field walk.
Monadnock Lakes Waterfowl Safari
Up to 20 species of ducks can be found in the Monadnock Region’s lakes and wetlands during peak migration. Join Phil Brown, Nate Marchessault, and fellow duck enthusiasts as we caravan to multiple waterbodies in search of waterfowl and other late-fall migrants.
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Bluebird Box Building
Are you a tween or teen interested in birds? Join Phil Brown, Susie Spikol, and a MAXT Makerspace woodshop expert for a bluebird nest-box building workshop with fellow young birders.
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at McCabe Forest
Let the fascinating world of fungi capture your imagination on this walk with mushroom mavens John Benjamin and George Caughey. Discover late fall mushrooms, and learn about the complex role this kingdom plays in our woodland ecosystems.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow in Harrisville
Harrisville Harrisville, NHJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature on a Rail Trail in Harrisville. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Easygoing Hike at the Fremont Field
Join naturalist Susie Spikol and poet-forester Swift Corwin for a late autumn walk through the meadows and forests of Peterborough’s Fremont land. We’ll look for wildlife clues and talk trees with a touch of poetry along the way.
Winter Star Gaze
Explore the night sky with the Keene Amateur Astronomy Club as we search for stars, planets, constellations, and early Geminid meteors on this family-friendly stargazing adventure.
Birding the Dillant-Hopkins Airport
Join Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault and the Monadnock Bird and Nature Club for a morning of easygoing birding at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport — a local birding hotspot with great views of wetlands, woodlands, and fields. Beginning birders welcome!
Easygoing Hike on the Cheshire Rail Trail
Join historian Alan Rumrill and ecologist Brett Amy Thelen for a 2.6-mile walk along the Cheshire Rail Trail, where we'll search for signs of the former Cheshire Railroad, learn how the railroad shaped Keene’s history, and enjoy the subtle beauty of stick season.
52nd Annual Peterborough-Hancock Christmas Bird Count
Every winter for more than 50 years, volunteers have searched for birds in the Peterborough-Hancock area as part of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) — the largest and longest-running community science project in the world. New volunteers are always welcome!
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Christmas Bird Count
Are you a tween or a teen with an interest in birds and birding? Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills, connect with other wildlife fans, and contribute to community science. We’ll take part in the annual Christmas Bird Count — helping to collect valuable data on winter bird populations. For students in grades 5 through 12.
Hike Into the New Year at Hiroshi
Join Harris Center bird conservation director Phil Brown on a winter wander along the 1.9-mile Hiroshi Loop Trail, where we’ll search for winter songbirds, mammal sign, and the season’s other gifts.
Trees & Tracks for Veterans
Join naturalist Susie Spikol and forest ecologist Jeremy Wilson for a morning ramble around the Harris Center grounds, where we’ll search for mammal tracks and sign and take a closer look at trees in winter. Open to all veterans.
Winter Walk at Goose Pond
Join Harris Center naturalist Nikko Gagnon for a leisurely winter hike around Goose Pond. Together, we’ll take time to notice animal tracks and sign, snap photographs, and use binoculars to observe this beautiful area in its quiet season. You may be surprised by how much life is still bustling in the cold months!
Birding in Surry
Join Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault and the Monadnock Bird and Nature Club for a morning of birding in Surry. Beginning birders welcome!
Environmental Studies Institute: Winter Tracking & Sign
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn to read the winter woods with Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol. Together, we’ll explore local fields and forests in search of tracks, trails, and other clues that reveal how animals move through the cold season.
Easygoing Hike on the Greenfield Rail Trail
Join naturalist Susie Spikol and forest ecologist Jeremy Wilson for a trees-and-tracks meander along the old railroad corridor from Peterborough to Greenfield and back. This easygoing, 2.5-mile outing follows a flat, wide trail — perfect for an unhurried winter walk.
Stories in Stone: A Winter History Hike at Mason Quarry
Join Miki Clements and Robert Larochelle for a moderate 3-mile hike through the historic Mason Quarry, with stops at a railroad workers’ memorial, old foundations, and the storied Wolf Rock.
Environmental Studies Institute: Winter Tracking & Sign
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn to read the winter woods with Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol. Together, we’ll explore local fields and forests in search of tracks, trails, and other clues that reveal how animals move through the cold season.
Birding for All: Winter Feeder Watch
Join Harris Center staff members Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a morning of observing and identifying birds at the Harris Center’s feeders. Birding for All outings are designed for people of all abilities, including those who experience accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other health concern. Beginning birders welcome!
Animal Track Detectives
Calling all animal detectives — discover who leaps, waddles, and bounds through New Hampshire’s woods as you learn to identify mammal tracks and signs during hands-on indoor and outdoor exploration.
LGBTQIA+ Community Hike to Pioneer Lake and Stoddard Rocks
Enjoy a 3- to 4-mile loop hike to Pioneer Lake and Stoddard Rocks with Richard Doherty and Calvin Anderson, exploring old roads, varied habitats, and scenic stretches of trail.
Environmental Studies Institute: Winter Tracking & Sign
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn to read the winter woods with Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol. Together, we’ll explore local fields and forests in search of tracks, trails, and other clues that reveal how animals move through the cold season.
Wolf Moon Meander
Let your wild side shine on this 2-mile hike to Juggernaut Pond, where we'll explore the winter landscape by moonlight, watch for the eyeshine of nocturnal mammals, and soak in the crisp night air.
Wolf Moon Meander
Let your wild side shine on this 2-mile hike to Juggernaut Pond, where we'll explore the winter landscape by moonlight, watch for the eyeshine of nocturnal mammals, and soak in the crisp night air.
Winter Wander at The Shattuck
Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Brett Amy Thelen for a leisurely, 3-mile meander along the Shattuck's groomed paths, where we'll search for signs of winter wildlife and enjoy a splendid view of Grand Monadnock.
Conservation Medicine & Winter Seabirds with the Center for Wildlife
Join Dan Gardoqui and Phil Brown for a private tour of Maine’s Center for Wildlife to explore conservation-focused rehabilitation, then head to the rocky coasts of Ogunquit and York to search for winter seabirds like harlequin ducks, eiders, and scoters.
Trees & Tracks for Veterans
Join naturalist Susie Spikol and forest ecologist Jeremy Wilson for a morning ramble around the Harris Center grounds, where we’ll search for mammal tracks and sign and take a closer look at trees in winter. Open to all veterans.
Easygoing Hike at the Bruce Edes Memorial Forest
Join Phil Brown and Joe MacGregor for a winter wander through the Bruce Edes Memorial Forest, exploring riverside trails and tall pine–hemlock woods ideal for spotting wildlife tracks.
Full-Day Winter Wildlife Tracking Workshop
Join wildlife biologists from UNH Extension and expert tracking instructors from White Pine Programs as they guide you through field, forest, and wetland in search of winter wildlife tracks and sign.
Winter Tracking for Families at Goose Pond
Join teacher-naturalist Nikko Gagnon for a family-friendly tracking adventure in Keene. We’ll search the woods and pond edges for leapers, bounders, waddlers, and walkers, and find out which wildlife species call this special place home.
Beginner Birding at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport
Join avid birders Wendy Gibbons and Jane Wing for an introduction to birding at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport, a local birding hot spot with great views of wetlands, woods, and fields.
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Snowy Owl Search on Plum Island
Are you a teenager or tween with an interest in birds and birding? Build community with other young birders as part of The Kestrels Young Birders Club! Visit the marshes and dunes at Plum Island in search of Snowy Owls. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills and connect with other wildlife fans.
42nd Annual Connecticut River Waterfowl Safari
Join Harris Center bird brains Eric Masterson and Phil Brown for a morning of waterfowl watching and welcoming spring arrivals back to the fields and waterways of the Connecticut River Valley.
Birding Plum Island
Join avid birders Kim Snyder and Nate Marchessault to search for seabirds, shorebirds, and maybe even Snowy Owls along the 8-mile barrier beach and adjacent marshes of Plum Island — a prime spot for winter birding.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Fremont Field in Peterborough
Fremont Field 100 Old Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Susie Spikol and Nikko Gagnon for a morning ramble at Fremont Field in Peterborough. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Easygoing Hike to Sip Pond
Join Phil Brown and avid hiker Jessie James for a 1.6-mile round-trip hike through the Chamberlain Conservation Area on the Sip Pond peninsula, where we’ll look for early signs of spring and the birds that make this scenic trail a local favorite.
ESI Course: MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary — Mindful Meanders & Nature-based Practices
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Easygoing Hike on the Jonathan Daniels Trail
Join naturalist Nikko Gagnon and woodland wanderer Mary Verrilli for a leisurely meander through Ashuelot River Park on the Jonathan Daniels Trail, where we’ll watch for spring birds, look for animal tracks and signs, and explore the river’s edge.
ESI Course: MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary — Mindful Meanders & Nature-based Practices
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow in Harrisville
Harrisville Harrisville, NHJoin Harris Center naturalists Susie Spikol and Nikko Gagnon to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature on a Rail Trail in Harrisville. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Harris Center Big Day
Are you a teenager or tween with an interest in birds and birding? Join a growing movement of young adults who are honing their wildlife observation skills, learning to recognize birds and their calls, and spending time outside building community with other young birders.
Vernal Pool Hike at the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve
Join Harris Center ecologists Brett Amy Thelen and Nate Marchessault for a 1.2-mile roundtrip hike to a hilltop vernal pool, where we'll explore the exquisite, ephemeral world of spring-breeding amphibians.
Earth Day Hike for Families
Join Hooper Institute and Harris Center naturalists for a fun and informative Earth Day hike for families. The earth will be waking from the long winter, and we’ll see what flowers, plants, bugs, reptiles, birds, and more are waiting to be discovered.
ESI Course: Intro to Spring Wildflowers
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockThis four-session workshop with wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward combines classroom instruction and field trips to build your skills in identifying spring ephemeral wildflowers and deepen your appreciation for the science, and joy, of botanizing.
Spring Wildflowers at Distant Hill Gardens
Join spring wildflower enthusiasts Michael Nerrie and Nate Marchessault for a leisurely walk at Distant Hill to admire cultivated spring ephemerals and search nearby trails for early-season wild blooms and other signs of spring.
Exploring Vernal Pools at the Follansbee Preserve
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen for an exploration of a vernal pool complex at the Piscataquog Land Conservancy’s Follansbee Preserve, where we’ll search for salamander eggs and other springtime wonders.
Monadnock Region City Nature Challenge
Join iNaturalist enthusiasts Steven Lamonde and Nate Marchessault for the Monadnock Region’s first annual participation in the City Nature Challenge — a fun celebration of biodiversity that also contributes valuable observations to the iNaturalist database.
ESI Course: Intro to Spring Wildflowers
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockThis four-session workshop with wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward combines classroom instruction and field trips to build your skills in identifying spring ephemeral wildflowers and deepen your appreciation for the science, and joy, of botanizing.
ESI Course: MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary — Mindful Meanders & Nature-based Practices
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Book Launch: MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary by Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno
Celebrate the launch of MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary with Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno, and discover how a simple shift in perspective can help you find adventure, awe, and connection in the wild places close to home.
ESI Course: Intro to Spring Wildflowers
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockThis four-session workshop with wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward combines classroom instruction and field trips to build your skills in identifying spring ephemeral wildflowers and deepen your appreciation for the science, and joy, of botanizing.
Family Ponding Safari at Robin Hood Park
Join the Harris Center, Cheshire 4-H, and The Caterpillar Lab for a free pond-life party, where families can get their hands wet discovering bullfrogs, dragonflies, caterpillars, mayflies, and other wild inhabitants in Robin Hood Pond.
Nature for All: Vernal Pooling at Distant Hill
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen and Michael Nerrie of Distant Hill to search for salamander eggs, fairy shrimp, and other wonders in the beautiful vernal pools along the Distant Hill Nature Trail, an accessible trail with gentle slopes and a hard-packed gravel surface.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Beech Hill in Dublin
Beech Hill Beech Hill Road, Dublin, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Susie Spikol and Nikko Gagnon to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Beech Hill in Dublin. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
ESI Course: Intro to Spring Wildflowers
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockThis four-session workshop with wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward combines classroom instruction and field trips to build your skills in identifying spring ephemeral wildflowers and deepen your appreciation for the science, and joy, of botanizing.
ESI Course: MicroExploring the SuperSanctuary — Mindful Meanders & Nature-based Practices
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of spring-season wanderings in tucked-away places close to the Harris Center. Each exploration will focus on a different natural history theme related to the conditions that present themselves that day.
Spring Beauties of Partridge Woods
Join avid hikers Kathy Schillemat and Rick Church to hike the Town of Nelson’s Partridge Woods, where we’ll search for ephemeral wildflowers and other signs of spring along the Ridge Trail.
Exploring Stream Restoration at Great Brook
Join Michael Nerrie to learn how Strategic Wood Addition is helping restore two miles of Great Brook in Walpole — improving habitat for native fish, enhancing stream health, and reducing flood impacts — and hike to the site for a firsthand look at this innovative restoration project.
Easygoing Hike in Francestown
Join avid hikers Ben Haubrich and Mary Verrilli for a gentle 2.5-mile roundtrip walk on conserved land in Francestown, where you’ll follow a meandering brook, visit beaver ponds, and climb a short, steep esker formed by ancient glacial deposits.
Nature for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Outing at MacDowell Lake
Join naturalists Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a leisurely, less-than-two-mile exploration of MacDowell Lake’s flat, hard-packed trails, where we’ll look and listen for birds and other wetland wildlife during this inclusive Nature for All outing designed to welcome participants of all abilities.
Small Mammals of Field & Forest
Join naturalist Susie Spikol for an afternoon meander through the Harris Center’s fields and forest edges in search of small mammals and the signs they leave behind. You’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for these tiny, but ecologically important creatures!
5th Annual Bird ID, Ecology & Habitat Management Workshop at Stone Fence Farm
Join Phil Brown, Matt Tarr, and others for a morning of birding and learning at Stone Fence Farm, a property owned and managed for a diversity of native species by professional foresters Jeremy Turner and Laura French.
Amphibian Excursion for Families at Robin Hood Park
Hop, scoot, and dive at Robin Hood Pond with Harris Center naturalist Nikko Gagnon! Together, we'll search the pond and nearby woods for bullfrogs, green frogs, salamanders, and more.
Garden Conservancy Garden Tour
Dublin, Peterborough, & Hancock Hancock, New Hampshire, United StatesTour four stunning private Monadnock Region gardens — from intimate terraces to Japanese-inspired landscapes and off-the-grid plant paradises. This self-guided day of inspiration, culminates in a Digging Deeper talk and tour with Bill and Eileen Elliott, who will discuss growing food and cultivating plants from around the world. $10 per garden for non-members / $30-$40 for Digging Deeper.
Land Management Practices for New Hampshire Turtles: A Wildlife Workshop
Join NRCS biologists for a walking tour at Reservoir Woods, where we’ll learn about the habitat management practices they’ve put in place to support local turtle populations — and discuss ways you can help turtles on your own property.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Tenant Swamp Boardwalk in Keene
Tenant Swamp Boardwalk 167 Maple Avenue, Keene, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Susie Spikol and Nikko Gagnon to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Tenant Swamp in Keene, a unique wetland and mixed forest ecosystem accessible via a scenic boardwalk. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Field Foray with the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club
Join Mark Ellingwood and the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Club to search meadows and woodlands for crescents, blues, sulfurs, and more while sharpening your butterfly identification skills for the SuperSanctuary Butterfly Count in July.
Nature for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Nature Outing at Beech Hill
Join naturalists Phil Brown and Susie Spikol for a morning of nature pondering at Beech Hill, where a hard-packed gravel path along the ridge provides ample opportunity to enjoy all kinds of wild finds, from birds and flowers to mammal sign and butterflies.
