Calendar of Events
Outings
Environmental Studies Institute: Coffee with the Birds
local field sitesJoin Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno for a series of winter 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 and Toddlers in Tow at Fremont Field
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalist Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil to ramble along wild walking trails searching for signs of spring, listening to bird songs, and sniffing the first flowers of the year!
Hiking the Wales Preserve
Join Stephen DiCicco and Kyle Vietze for a 1.2-mile loop hike on one of The Nature Conservancy's most beautiful local trails.
Jack’s Pond Hike for Veterans
Nestled at the base of Mount Skatutakee’s north side, Jack's Pond is one of Hancock's hidden gems. Join Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a 1.75-mile roundtrip hike to the pond, where we'll hear about Jack's life, and search for signs of wildlife as we go.
Easygoing Hike on Beech Hill
Join Susie Spikol and Ben Haubrich for an easygoing amble up Dublin’s Beech Hill. Our 2-mile roundtrip route will take us along the Zig Zag Trail to a big meadow and great view of Mount Monadnock, then back down via the access trail.
Following in the Footsteps of John Kulish: Willard and Robb Mountains
Join Stan Smith and Vic Starzynski for a strenuous, 6-mile roundtrip hike to the summits of Robb and Willard Mountains, including one mile of bushwhacking and more than 600 feet of elevation gain.
Vernal Pool Hike at the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve
Join Harris Center ecologist Brett Amy Thelen for a moderately strenuous, 1.2-mile roundtrip hike to a hilltop vernal pool, where we'll explore the exquisite, ephemeral world of spring-breeding amphibians.
Babies in Backpacks and Toddlers in Tow at Distant Hill Gardens
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalist Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil to ramble along wild walking trails searching for signs of spring, listening to bird songs, and sniffing the first flowers of the year!
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Beech Hill
Meet John Benjamin and George Caughey, a pair of fun-gis, for an afternoon meander in search of the fantastic fungi of spring! If we’re lucky, we’ll find toadstools, polypores, turkey tails, and perhaps even a slime mold or two.
Babies in Backpacks and Toddlers in Tow at Cathedral of the Pines
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.
Hiking the Wapack Trail to Binney Pond and Pratt Mountain
Join longtime hike leaders Brian Bishoff and Denny Wheeler for a strenuous, 3.7-mile roundtrip hike with outstanding views along the Wapack Trail in New Ipswich. This out-and-back hike will take us along an abandoned road and well-maintained trail through conservation land, past the lovely Binney Pond to Pratt Mountain.
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.
Rock Hounders: A Rock and Mineral Adventure for Families
Calling all rock hounds! Join the Harris Center, Distant Hill Gardens, and the Monadnock Conservancy for a rockin’ outing to a feldspar and tourmaline mine. Discover the history of this mine, search for mineral and rock treasures, and make connections with other geology-loving families!
LGBTQ+ Accessible Spring Hike at Distant Hill Gardens
Join Richard Doherty (he, him) and Hunter Kirschner (he, they) for an LGBTQ+ community hike at the Distant Hill Nature Trail, built according to U.S. Forest Service accessibility standards.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Jaquith Rail Trail
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalist Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil to ramble along wild walking trails searching for signs of spring, listening to bird songs, and sniffing the first flowers of the year!
Mushroom Meander with the Morel Quandary Club at Friedsam Forest
Meet mushroom enthusiasts John Benjamin and George Caughey for an afternoon meander in search of the fantastic fungi of spring! If we’re lucky, we’ll find toadstools, polypores, turkey tails, and perhaps even a slime mold or two.
Birding for All: World Migratory Bird Day Walk
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 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.
Easygoing Hike at Shattuck Pond
Join Ben Haubrich and Miki Clements-Collier for a leisurely hike along the Francestown Forest Trail to the pristine Shattuck Pond. This 1.5-mile roundtrip hike includes some ups and downs and has a total elevation gain of about 150 feet.
Kestrels Young Birders Club: Children and the Arts Bird Walk
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.
Hiking Casalis State Forest
Join longtime hike leaders Brian Bishoff and Denny Wheeler for a springtime hike on woods roads and trails through Casalis State Forest in Peterborough, where we’ll visit two ponds, lovely woods, and a recently logged area.
The Thing in the Spring: City Bird Walk
Join avid birders Nate Marchessault and Chris Liazos for a leisurely one-mile walk along the Ashuelot Rail Trail and Keene State College campus during the peak of spring bird migration.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow along the Parker Trail at Monadnock State Park
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.
Full Moon Meander for Veterans
Join Jen Whitney of the Vet Center and Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol for a moonlit wander up to the pristine shoreline of Juggernaut Pond. We'll listen for owls and frogs as we meander under the Flower Moon. This hike is for veterans only.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Robin Hood Park
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalist Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil to ramble along wild walking trails searching for signs of spring, listening to bird songs, and sniffing the first flowers of the year!
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.
