Calendar of Events
Lectures
Migratory Raptors of Pack Monadnock
Join Harris Center Bird Conservation Director and raptor aficionado Phil Brown for an overview of the upcoming hawk migration season and the soaring spectacle visible from the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory in Peterborough.
Lunch & Learn: Breeding Range of the Broad-winged Hawk with Diego Gallego García
Join biologist Diego Gallego García and the Hawk Migration Association of America (HMANA) for an online Lunch & Learn event, where we'll take a closer look at the breeding habits of the elusive Broad-winged Hawk.
Book Talk: 100 Classic Hikes New England
Join author Jeff Romano for a slideshow presentation showcasing hiking opportunities in all six New England states, with a focus on itineraries featured in his latest guidebook, an updated edition of 100 Classic Hikes: New England.
Book Launch: The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada
Celebrate the publication of The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada by Lillian Stokes and Matthew Young, which reviews have hailed as “the best bird book of the year.” Refreshments and a book signing will follow this lively, information-packed talk.
Natural History of Black Bears in New Hampshire
Join Harris Center naturalist and author Susie Spikol for a talk on the natural history of New Hampshire's black bears. Find out how these large mammals make their living in the Granite State and how to decrease bear-human encounters around your neighborhood.
Saving New England’s Native Plants: Inside the Plant Conservation Volunteer Program
Join Maria Kennedy from the Native Plant Trust to learn about the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program, a regional community science network that monitors rare plants, collects seeds, and undertakes habitat management projects with the goal of protecting the region's rarest native species.
Book Launch: What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery
Come celebrate the launch of Sy Montgomery's latest book, What the Chicken Knows. With its winning blend of personal narrative and science, this short, delightful book reveals all the things that make chickens such remarkable creatures.
Nature Through the Year in Backyard & Beyond
We’re learning that immersion in nature is good for us, which leads us to ask, “How can we help the wild world in return?” This presentation by Francie Von Mertens – which draws from her Nature Almanac & Calendar, published by the Harris Center – will explore that question while guiding us through the natural cycles of the seasons.
New England Blizzards
Join meteorologist and storm chaser Cyrena Arnold to discover the science behind blizzards and snowstorms, revisit some of our region’s most epic storms, and explore theories on why we don’t seem to be experiencing blizzards like we once did.
Lunch & Learn: Visit the Kayapo in the Heart of the Amazon
The Kayapo territory is an area of unmarred rainforest as large as the state of Virginia, and it’s threatened by illegal timber extraction, gold mining, and land grabs for cattle ranching. Despite these threats, the Indigenous Kayapo have successfully protected their territorial borders for more than 30 years. Join Scott Hecker to learn about Kayapo culture and their ongoing efforts to protect the rainforest.
The Plight of the Fisher
Learn how researchers are working to uncover what’s behind the decline in New Hampshire’s fisher population. Discover how exposure to commonly used rodenticides may be impacting fishers and other wildlife, as well as other important research developments.
An Evening with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
Join JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH), for a presentation on BHTNH’s work to raise awareness of African American history and life stories in the Granite State.
Book Launch: Forest Magic for Kids
Celebrate the release of Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol’s second book, Forest Magic for Kids — a playful activity guide that invites children, families, educators, and caregivers to explore the imaginative spaces that nature holds for all of us.
ESI Course: Lichens of New England
Join Kay Hurley, author of Lichenpedia, for a day devoted to the fascinating world of these composite organisms. We’ll start indoors, then head outside to practice our skills, and document nearby lichen diversity.
Turtles of New Hampshire & How You Can Help
Join NH Fish and Game wildlife biologist Josh Megyesy for an introduction to turtle conservation in the Granite State. Josh will discuss how to identify turtle habitat, the impact of road mortality on turtles, strategies to reduce roadkill, what landowners can do to help, and more.
Turtle Transport Volunteer Training
From spring through fall, turtles leave the water to find mates, nest sites, and habitat, facing dangers like cars, pets, and mowers. NH Turtle Rescue relies on volunteer "turtle transporters" to quickly get injured turtles into care — and more helpers are always needed. This training covers everything you need to join the team!
ESI Course: Entomology for Everyone
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockJoin Harris Center naturalist and entomologist Jenna Spear for an overview of the fascinating and diverse world of insects. We’ll explore basic insect biology, as well as the natural history and ecological significance of some commonly found species. No experience necessary.
Trouble with Toads: Emerging Disease in the American Toad Population
Join veterinary pathologist Dr. David Needle to learn about a new threat to New England’s American toads — and how researchers used electron microscopy and genetic sequencing to identify it. We’ll also explore why toad health matters and what this discovery might mean for other wildlife.
ESI Course: Entomology for Everyone
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockJoin Harris Center naturalist and entomologist Jenna Spear for an overview of the fascinating and diverse world of insects. We’ll explore basic insect biology, as well as the natural history and ecological significance of some commonly found species. No experience necessary.
ESI Course: Entomology for Everyone
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockJoin Harris Center naturalist and entomologist Jenna Spear for an overview of the fascinating and diverse world of insects. We’ll explore basic insect biology, as well as the natural history and ecological significance of some commonly found species. No experience necessary.
What We Know About Bird Flu
Join Dr. David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, to learn more about the emerging concern of avian influenza. Dr. Needle will review the biology behind this virus, how it’s transmitted, its impact on wildlife, and how it’s affecting humans.
Pre-show Talk: Native Gardens
Join the Harris Center for a lively pre-show talk before Native Gardens at the Peterborough Players on August 1. Hear from naturalist Susie Spikol plus Emily Drury and Carly Roland from Princess Pine — a local landscape design company— about the value of native gardens and tips for growing your own. Show ticket required.
In Praise of Goldenrods, in the Garden & Beyond
Goldenrods are a vital part of the food web, with some species ideal for gardens and others better suited to roadsides. Francie Von Mertens has taken a deep dive into the world of goldenrods and will share her discoveries.
Lunch & Learn: Hurricanes of New England with Cyrena Arnold
Join meteorologist and storm chaser Cyrena Arnold to discover the science behind hurricanes, revisit some of our region’s most epic storms, and explore theories on how hurricanes are changing due to a warming climate.
An Introduction to the New Hampshire Veterinary Center for Wildlife
Thousands of wild animals are injured or orphaned in New Hampshire every year, and they need help to be treated and returned to the wild. Join Dr. Michael Dutton and Helen Dutton to learn about their plans for a new NH Veterinary Center for Wildlife, which aims to provide a centralized site for veterinary care for Granite State wildlife.
Here in New England: Unforgettable Stories of People, Places, and Memories that Connect Us All with Mel Allen
Join Yankee magazine editor and writer Mel Allen for an evening of unforgettable tales from his new collection, Here in New England — a tribute to the resilience, character, and community of this place we call home.
Film Showing: The Invisible Mammal
Celebrate Bat Appreciation Month with this new feature-length documentary, The Invisible Mammal, which follows an all-woman team of biologists as they set out to save bats from the ravages of white-nose syndrome.
Indigenous-led Conservation in Panama
Indigenous Wounaan communities are working to safeguard some of the most intact ecosystems in the Americas. Learn who the Wounaan are, why their lands are under threat, and how they’re taking action to protect both their forests and their way of life.
What We Know About Bird Flu
Join Dr. David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, to learn more about the emerging concern of avian influenza. Dr. Needle will review the biology behind this virus, how it’s transmitted, its impact on wildlife, and how it’s affecting humans.
Reviving Artemis: The Making of a Huntress with Deborah Lee Luskin
Join Deborah Lee Luskin and Susie Spikol as they discuss Luskin’s newest book, Reviving Artemis: The Making of a Huntress. This lyrical memoir tells how the Vermont author, at sixty, stepped out of her garden and into the forest to learn to hunt deer.
