Calendar of Events
Lectures
Nature on Tap: Santa’s Magic Mushroom – A Look at the Role of the Fly Agaric Mushroom in the Mythology of Santa
You’ll look at Santa in a whole new light after Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol reveals the fascinating link between the divine soma mushroom and the origins of Jolly Old Saint Nick.
Environmental Studies Institute: Turkey Talk — The Life and Times of New Hampshire’s Wild Turkeys
Zoom , United StatesJoin wildlife biologist Mark Ellingwood for a short course on the natural history of New Hampshire’s wild turkeys — including how to identify turkey sign in your local woodlands.
The Amazing Monarch Butterfly: Global Stories and Local Monitoring Efforts
Join Andy Chapman and Harris Center ecologist Karen Seaver to explore the fascinating life and migration of the monarch butterfly, including ways you can get involved in local monarch monitoring.
Environmental Studies Institute: Turkey Talk — The Life and Times of New Hampshire’s Wild Turkeys
Zoom , United StatesJoin wildlife biologist Mark Ellingwood for a short course on the natural history of New Hampshire’s wild turkeys — including how to identify turkey sign in your local woodlands.
Winter Loon Rescues
What happens when loons are stranded as ice forms on a New Hampshire lake? Join Loon Preservation Committee biologist John Cooley as he shares some of his adventures from recent ice rescues.
Opening the Door Wide on Outdoor Experiences
Join us for a discussion on diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in the world of outdoor experiences with outdoor educator Doug Sutherland, who will share insights gleaned from 25+ years in the field.
“Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America”
Join us for a conversation with award-winning author Leila Philip about her newest book, "Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America."
Scat Detection Dogs: A Novel Approach to Wildlife Research
Join Julianne Ugibau and her partner Jasper (a Labrador retriever) for a fascinating talk on the training and use of scat detection dogs for wildlife research.
Environmental Studies Institute: The Natural History of American Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse in New Hampshire
Zoom , United StatesJoin wildlife biologist Mark Ellingwood for a two-week course on American Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse ecology in New Hampshire, including how to identify their sign and sounds in our local woodlands.
Salamander Crossing Brigade Workshop
Every year, the Harris Center trains community scientists to serve on Salamander Crossing Brigades at amphibian road crossings throughout the Monadnock Region. Attend this online training to join their ranks – or simply to learn more about the spring amphibian migration.
Environmental Studies Institute: The Natural History of American Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse in New Hampshire
Zoom , United StatesJoin wildlife biologist Mark Ellingwood for a two-week course on American Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse ecology in New Hampshire, including how to identify their sign and sounds in our local woodlands.
The Wisdom of Owls
Join the Harris Center’s Bird Conservation Director, Phil Brown, and naturalist and story spinner Susie Spikol for a fascinating look at the natural history and folklore of New Hampshire’s owls.
The Secret Lives of Our Backyard Raptors: Monitoring and Managing for Beneficial Predators
Join Harris Center Bird Conservation Director Phil Brown for an evening devoted to raptors — specifically, the forest-dwelling Broad-winged Hawk and the field-loving American Kestrel.
Invasive Upland Plant Species of New Hampshire
Join Douglas Cygan, Invasive Species Coordinator for the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, for a deep dive into the upland invasive plants of New Hampshire.
Butterflies of New Hampshire
Have you ever wondered which butterflies are flitting through your garden? Join retired wildlife biologist and butterfly fan Mark Ellingwood for an introduction to these captivating and charismatic insects.
Book Launch: “The Book of Turtles” with Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson
Celebrate the diversity of the world’s more than 300 turtle species on publication day for Matt Patterson and Sy Montgomery’s new "Book of Turtles," a picture book suitable for both adults and kids.
Turtle Talk: New Hampshire’s Turtles & How You Can Help
Join wildlife rehabilitators Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens of NH Turtle Rescue for an overview of New Hampshire's native turtle species, and to learn how to be a good neighbor to your local turtles.
Exploring Bird Migration Science with the National Audubon Society
Join avian biologist Chad Witko for an evening devoted to migratory bird science! Chad will outline the goals of National Audubon Society’s Migratory Bird Initiative and demonstrate the features of their new Migratory Bird Explorer tool.
Art Auction and Talks: Celebrating the Broad-winged Hawk on World Migratory Bird Day
Join us for an art auction and evening of talks to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! Meet the artist and presenters, make your bid on artwork featuring the Broad-winged Hawk and the SuperSanctuary, and enjoy refreshments.
Utterly Otters
Join naturalist Susie Spikol for a lively talk on the bounding, sliding, swimming otter! We’ll spend some time getting to know this charismatic local mammal and learning how to recognize its tracks and sign.
The Scoop on Skunks
Join Dr. Rem Moll, skunk researcher and professor at the University of New Hampshire, for a peek into the life of New Hampshire’s most pungent mammal — the striped skunk.
How Food Choices Affect the Planet & Your Health with Frances Moore Lappe
Join Frances Moore Lappé, renowned author of "Diet for a Small Planet," for a conversation about the power of your food choices. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new edition, Lappé’s groundbreaking book outlines how moving toward a plant-based diet can help the environment and your health.
5th Annual Norway Pond Symposium
Join us for a morning of talks highlighting recent research on the past, present, and future ecology of Hancock’s Norway Pond.
Nature on Tap: Love, Sex, and Wow in the Animal Kingdom
Try not to blush when you join a panel of Harris Center naturalists for this spicy discussion of the unusual ways some animals court and mate. Drinks on you, stories on us!
Covered Bridges of New Hampshire
Join us for this special evening with Bill Caswell, President of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, and Kim Varney Chandler, author of Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, as they share the intriguing history of these historic structures.
Nature on Tap: Downtown Geology Walk in Keene
Join Keene State College geology professor Charlie Kerwin for a tour of downtown Keene’s geological treasures. From building facades to front steps, prepare to be blown away by the rocks and minerals along Main Street and the stories they have to tell.
An Evening with Fergus Garrett: How Flower Gardens Can Support Threatened Species
Join us for a special evening with Fergus Garrett, one of the most influential garden designers of our time. In this illustrated talk, Fergus will reveal how flower gardens can support some of our most threatened species.
An Update on the Harris Center’s Kestrel Project
To bolster local kestrel populations, the Harris Center recently launched an initiative to install and monitor kestrel nest boxes throughout the Monadnock Region. Join Will Stollsteimer, former Harris Center Bird Conservation Intern and current Antioch University New England graduate student, for an update on these critical conservation efforts.
Tick Talk
Join us for a talk about the ecology of Lyme disease with Lyme expert Kathie Fife, who will share her knowledge and experiences as a patient of Lyme, natural resource specialist, and patient advocate.
Migratory Raptors of Pack Monadnock
Join Harris Center Bird Conservation Director and raptor aficionado Phil Brown for a look at the upcoming hawk migration season and the migration spectacle that can be viewed from the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory in Peterborough.