COVID-19 UPDATE: The Harris Center building will be closed to visitors until further notice. Our trails and grounds remain open.
Calendar of Events

October 2020
Veracruz River of Raptors: Monitoring the World’s Largest Concentration of Migrating Raptors
Join us for a special evening with Kashmir Wolf of ProNatura’s Rio de Rapaces ("River of Raptors") Project in Veracruz, Mexico. Find out why raptors concentrate by the millions at Veracruz and how it's connected with other hawkwatching sites, including our very own Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory.
Learn more »Coyotes, Fishers, and Bears, Oh My!
Join naturalist Susie Spikol for an engaging Zoom talk about coexisting with coyotes, fishers, and bears. We'll explore key aspects of each species' behavior and ecology, crack open some myths, and learn how to be good neighbors to these oft-misunderstood mammals.
Learn more »Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow
Join naturalist Susie Spikol for a morning ramble with your little ones along a winding trail in a magical corner of Peterborough.
Learn more »“Ask a Naturalist” Virtual Happy Hour
Join us for a fun, informal, nature-focused happy hour -- via Zoom! Come prepared with questions about nearby nature, or just sit back and listen to our team of talented Harris Center naturalists as they share their own observations.
Learn more »Go Wild for At-Home Learners: Mushroom Madness
Have you ever wondered about mushrooms? Join Harris Center naturalists to explore the fascinating world of fungi! This in-person, outdoor learning experience is for homeschoolers and remote learners in Grades 1 through 5.
Learn more »Harris Center Annual Meeting: Celebrating 50 Years
Join Harris Center staff, trustees, and friends for the capstone celebration of our 50th Anniversary Year. We'll review highlights from our first half-century, and share some more recent causes for celebration. Bring your own champagne for a toast for our 50th!
Learn more »Backroads Biking in the Monadnock Region: Chesham to Eastview Loop
Join David Sobel and Jennifer Kramer for a 13.2-mile ride on and off an old railroad bed, with gorgeous pond and marsh views.
Learn more »Motus: A Revolution in Migration Research
Join us to learn about an amazing new research network that is revolutionizing the study of winged migration by tracking the movements of small birds, bats, and even dragonflies who have been fitted with tiny radio transmitters -- including right here in the Monadnock Region.
Learn more »Spiders! Do You Dare….?
Don't let Halloween pass by without joining us for this spine-tingling talk with spider expert Karen Cangialosi! Get in touch with your spidey sense and discover the truth about these oft-misunderstood and feared creatures.
Learn more »November 2020
Spooky Birds
Join raptor education specialist Kim Snyder for this positively haunting in-person program on birds with scary reputations. From owls to crows, ravens to vultures, discover what's true about these birds -- and what's just a spooky story.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Carnivore Cousins
Join wildlife biologist Steve Gehman for this four-part online series on carnivores. Each session will be devoted to one of four mammal families, with discussions on bears, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, wolverines, and more.
Learn more »“Ask a Naturalist” Virtual Happy Hour
Join us for a fun, informal, nature-focused happy hour -- via Zoom! Come prepared with questions about nearby nature, or just sit back and listen to our team of talented Harris Center naturalists as they share their own observations.
Learn more »Go Wild for At-Home Learners: Squirrels Up Close
Join Harris Center naturalists to explore the secret world of squirrels! This in-person, outdoor learning experience is for homeschoolers and remote learners in Grades 1 through 5.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Carnivore Cousins
Join wildlife biologist Steve Gehman for this four-part online series on carnivores. Each session will be devoted to one of four mammal families, with discussions on bears, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, wolverines, and more.
Learn more »December 2020
Environmental Studies Institute: Carnivore Cousins
Join wildlife biologist Steve Gehman for this four-part online series on carnivores. Each session will be devoted to one of four mammal families, with discussions on bears, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, wolverines, and more.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Wild Poems I Have Known
Join local poet and naturalist Henry Walters to read and discuss poetry that takes its cue from the flora and fauna of New Hampshire and beyond.
Learn more »Santa’s Magic Mushroom: A Look at the Role of the Fly Agaric Mushroom in the Mythology of Santa
Mythology meets natural history in this holiday-themed Zoom talk! 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.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Carnivore Cousins
Join wildlife biologist Steve Gehman for this four-part online series on carnivores. Each session will be devoted to one of four mammal families, with discussions on bears, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, wolverines, and more.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Wild Poems I Have Known
Join local poet and naturalist Henry Walters to read and discuss poetry that takes its cue from the flora and fauna of New Hampshire and beyond.
Learn more »Wildfire: What’s Going On?
Join Eric Aldrich and Jeremy Wilson for this online introduction to the ecology of wildfire. Eric will share his personal experiences with controlled burns and fighting wildfires, and Jeremy will introduce some of the complex interactions influencing the intensity and frequency of wildland fires.
Learn more »Environmental Studies Institute: Wild Poems I Have Known
Join local poet and naturalist Henry Walters to read and discuss poetry that takes its cue from the flora and fauna of New Hampshire and beyond.
Learn more »“Ask a Naturalist” Virtual Happy Hour
Join us for a fun, informal, nature-focused happy hour -- via Zoom! Come prepared with questions about nearby nature, or just sit back and listen to our team of talented Harris Center naturalists as they share their own observations.
Learn more »Go Wild for At-Home Learners: Everlasting Evergreens
December is the perfect time to get crazy with conifers! We'll study cones, search for shrubs, and learn to tell a pine from a hemlock. This in-person, outdoor learning experience is for homeschoolers and remote learners in Grades 1 through 5.
Learn more »47th Annual Christmas Bird Count for Hancock, Peterborough, and Surrounding Towns
Begun locally in 1973, the Christmas Bird Count is the world’s oldest and largest biological survey and citizen science endeavor, with thousands of participants worldwide. No need to be an expert!
Learn more »January 2021
Environmental Studies Institute: “What A Wonderful World” Song Club with Jazimina MacNeil
Join mezzo-soprano Jazimina MacNeil to explore a treasure trove of songs written by great artists who drew inspiration from the natural world -- from Schubert to Amy Beach to Stevie Wonder. Like a book club, but with songs!
Learn more »LAB GIRLS Goes Wild: A Monthly Online STEM Club for Girls
Calling all girls from grades 5 through 12! Join us for this fun, monthly, online afterschool club to grow your skills as a wildlife scientist.
Learn more »“Ask a Naturalist” Virtual Happy Hour
Join us for a fun, informal, nature-focused happy hour -- via Zoom! Come prepared with questions about nearby nature, or just sit back and listen to our team of talented Harris Center naturalists as they share their own observations.
Learn more »How to Be a Stargazer
Winter is a wonderful time to experience the night sky, as longer nights and cold, dry weather make for fantastic star gazing. Join David McDonald of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center to find out what to look for in the winter night sky, including how to find specific constellations.
Learn more »Weathering Winter: Life at Low Temperatures
Join Harris Center ecologist Karen Seaver for an introduction to the ways in which animals, plants, and microbes have adapted to life in extreme cold. From penguins to polar bears, bobcats to barred owls, learn how life goes on when the mercury drops!
Learn more »The New England Cottontail: A Rabbit on the Run
New England cottontails were once common throughout the Northeast, but are now endangered in New Hampshire. Join UNH wildlife biologist Dr. Adrienne Kovach to learn about her work on the reintroduction of these rare rabbits.
Learn more »