Calendar of Events
Events
The Kestrels Young Birders Club: Snowy Owl Search on Plum Island
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.
Animal Songs & Stories Family Concert
At this special concert preschoolers and their families will take a musical journey into the animal world through song and dance. Teacher-naturalist and musician Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil will head up a fun, free hour-long program where children and parents learn about local animals. All ages are welcome.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this winter. Uncover your wonder, and let the natural world be your teacher. Tracks, scat, birds, snow — come discover it all.
South Meadow School: Afterschool Yeti Club
South Meadow School Hancock Road, Peterborough, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at South Meadow School. Free of charge.
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 fun, information-packed volunteer training to join their ranks – or simply to learn more about the remarkable spring amphibian migration.
Safe Crossing: Spring Amphibians with Kari Percival
Join award-winning children’s book author Kari Percival as she shares from her newest book, Safe Crossing, which tells the story of how people of all ages come together on the first rainy nights of spring to help salamanders and frogs cross roads during their spring migration.
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.
South Meadow School: Afterschool Yeti Club
South Meadow School Hancock Road, Peterborough, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at South Meadow School. Free of charge.
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.
South Meadow School: Afterschool Yeti Club
South Meadow School Hancock Road, Peterborough, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at South Meadow School. Free of charge.
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.
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.
Exploring Birds in the Classroom for K–5 Teachers: A Zoom Talk with Tina Ramsey
Join Tina Ramsey for this free Teacher Talk where she'll share how her year-long bird study helps 3rd-grade students build skills in science, writing, math, and reading, while fostering confidence in outdoor learning.
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.
ESI Course: Treekeepers Book Group
Zoom , United StatesJoin avid reader Susie Spikol and dendrophile Jeremy Wilson to read and discuss Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future — a poetic and probing book that explores the vital role of forests in combating climate change. Then, on April 19, join Treekeepers author Lauren E. Oakes for an in-person talk at the Harris Center.
Exploring Nature with Young Children: A Workshop for Pre-K–2nd Grade Teachers
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists for a hands-on workshop to spark fresh ideas for outdoor spring teaching. Discover creative activities, from story cloths to sensory games, and connect with peers while preparing to explore nature with young children.
Nature as Muse: An Afternoon with the Apple Hill String Quartet
Join the internationally acclaimed Apple Hill String Quartet for an afternoon of chamber music inspired by the natural world. The performance includes works by composers Franz Joseph Haydn, Antonin Dvořák, and Meredith Monk, as well as a world premiere by local composer Miriam Sharrock.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side roam free this spring — frogs, dandelion tea, the secret lives of turtles, and more!
ESI Course: Treekeepers Book Group
Zoom , United StatesJoin avid reader Susie Spikol and dendrophile Jeremy Wilson to read and discuss Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future — a poetic and probing book that explores the vital role of forests in combating climate change. Then, on April 19, join Treekeepers author Lauren E. Oakes for an in-person talk at the Harris Center.
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.
Nature on Tap Gets Wild with NHPR’s Something Wild Show
Join us for a special evening with Dave Anderson of the Forest Society and Chris Martin of NH Audubon, longtime hosts of NHPR’s Something Wild radio series and podcast. Jessica Hunt, the producer, will also share her experiences. Drinks on you, stories on us!
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.
Words for the Wild: An Earth Day Book Celebration
Join nature writers from across New England to celebrate Earth Day and the natural world through words, action, and imagination. Participating authors include Britt Crow Miller, Susie Spikol, Vanessa Chakour, Owen Wormser, and Lauren E. Oakes.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side roam free this spring — frogs, dandelion tea, the secret lives of turtles, and more!
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.
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.
Closing Reception: Journey to the Rhizosphere
Featuring handmade paper objects, interpretive illustrations, interactive puzzles, and a rhizosphere-inspired soundscape, this exhibit by Susan Edwards and friends celebrates the fascinating relationships between plant roots, soil organisms, and healthy ecosystems. This art show will be on exhibit from April 1 to June 3, with a reception on April 26.
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!
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.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side roam free this spring — frogs, dandelion tea, the secret lives of turtles, and more!
Yeti Club: Afterschool Wilderness Adventure for Middle Schoolers
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure with Yeti Club at Robin Hood Park in Keene! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grade 6 and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side roam free this spring — frogs, dandelion tea, the secret lives of turtles, 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!
Ashuelot River Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Training
The Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee is recruiting volunteers for their 25th season of water quality monitoring! To volunteer, join Barbara Skuly for this in-person training, where we'll review sampling techniques, go over the use of monitoring equipment, and share the 2025 sampling schedule.
Yeti Club: Afterschool Wilderness Adventure for Middle Schoolers
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure with Yeti Club at Robin Hood Park in Keene! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grade 6 and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
Yeti Club: Afterschool Wilderness Adventure for Middle Schoolers
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure with Yeti Club at Robin Hood Park in Keene! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grade 6 and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
Afterschool Club: LAB GIRLS+ Experiments from the Wild
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making observations and discoveries, and studying wild animals, then this afterschool club at Robin Hood Park in Keene is for you! From crayfish and turtles to squirrels and other small mammals, come explore the wild side of STEM. For 6th graders and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
Yeti Club: Afterschool Wilderness Adventure for Middle Schoolers
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure with Yeti Club at Robin Hood Park in Keene! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grade 6 and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
Afterschool Club: LAB GIRLS+ Experiments from the Wild
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making observations and discoveries, and studying wild animals, then this afterschool club at Robin Hood Park in Keene is for you! From crayfish and turtles to squirrels and other small mammals, come explore the wild side of STEM. For 6th graders and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
Afterschool Club: LAB GIRLS+ Experiments from the Wild
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making observations and discoveries, and studying wild animals, then this afterschool club at Robin Hood Park in Keene is for you! From crayfish and turtles to squirrels and other small mammals, come explore the wild side of STEM. For 6th graders and up. Free of charge, with snacks provided.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pollinator Palooza!
Join the Harris Center and many other organizations for an afternoon of learning and celebration for National Pollinator Week! Activities will include: pollinator bingo, painting your own pot for a native plant, caterpillar exploration, native plant sales, and more.
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.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
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!
Summer Camp: Voyagers 1.0
Voyagers will spend most days paddling and swimming at nearby Nubanusit Lake and Spoonwood Pond or hiking local mountains. For the true explorer at heart entering grades 7 through 8. This camp is from June 30 to July 3.
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.
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.
Bug Safari
Join naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol for an hour-long adventure into the world of backyard bugs! Discover the fascinating lives of invertebrates as we search for slugs, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, crickets, caterpillars, inchworms, and more.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
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.
From My Gnome to Yours
Join Susie Spikol, author of Forest Magic for Kids, to explore the whimsical world of gnomes! Hear tales of these wee folk, play traditional gnome games, create your own crew of charming characters, and build a sweet cozy gnome home outdoors. For ages 5 and up.
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.
Summer Camp: Woodlanders
Woodlanders camp is the perfect adventure for young nature enthusiasts entering grades 1 through 5! Days are spent climbing boulders in the forest, playing a game of Bobcat, making paper with pressed fresh flowers, and more. This camp is from July 21 to July 25.
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.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
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.
A Gentle Pathway into Bird Studies: A Workshop for Teachers
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Jenna Spear and Jaime Hutchinson for this fun, energizing professional development workshop for teachers of all grades. Whether you’re an experienced birder or a novice, you’ll come away from this workshop with the confidence that you can help your students discover the fascinating world of local birds.
Film Showing: Good-Bye To A House
Good-Bye To a House, a 22-minute documentary about Seaver Farm in Harrisville, is a lyrical account of an ordinary farm caught in the current of history. The film is a personal inquiry into local history, the caretakers of special places, and the importance of remembering. A Q&A with the filmmaker Chris Hardee, Phil Brown of the Harris Center, and Jenna Carroll from the Historical Society of Cheshire County will follow the screening.
Painting for Loons
Enjoy a creative night out with the Harris Center at Branch & Blade Beer Co., featuring a loon presentation and guided painting session with artist Tristan G. Bridges. This evening of craft brews, art, and wildlife education benefits the Harris Center.
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.
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.
Starting the School Year with Nature as Your Co-Teacher
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Jenna Spear and Jaime Hutchinson for this fun and energizing professional development workshop for K to 5th-grade teachers. The first two months of school are the perfect time to establish a class culture that includes focused, nature-based learning. This workshop will kick off your outdoor planning by offering numerous strategies for including fresh-air learning during the school day.
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.
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.
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.
ESI Course: Getting to Know the Goldenrods
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockGoldenrods, with their beautiful late-season blooms, gently usher us out of the growing season and into the senescence of autumn. Join ecologist Nate Marchessault for an exploration of these diverse but approachable native plants.
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.
Ask A Naturalist
Join our team of talented naturalists as they explore some of the region’s most intriguing natural history mysteries. If you have questions you’d like us to answer (“what’s this thing I found in the woods?!”), submit them by August 25!
Words from the Trees Writing Workshop
Join author and naturalist Susie Spikol and musician Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil for a writing workshop, where we’ll listen deeply to our arboreal companions and explore writing in co-creation with the more-than-human world.
Words From the Trees Concert
Join musicians from Electric Earth’s “Musical Pathways” project for a concert of music for cello, violin, and piano. Featuring music inspired by trees, the performance will be interwoven with pieces from the Words from the Trees writing workshop.
ESI Course: Getting to Know the Goldenrods
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockGoldenrods, with their beautiful late-season blooms, gently usher us out of the growing season and into the senescence of autumn. Join ecologist Nate Marchessault for an exploration of these diverse but approachable native plants.
Art for Birds: Artist Talk with Robert Hauser
This exhibit features Robert Hauser's art assemblages, which explore the complex cultural dynamics between humans and birds. On exhibit from September 2 to 30 in the Babbitt Room. Join us for a reception and artist talk Thursday, September 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
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.
Author Talk: Bill Donahue on Unbound
Hancock journalist Bill Donahue has written for Outside, The Atlantic, and The New York Times Magazine. Join us as he discusses his new book, Unbound, a collection of endurance sports stories reported on five continents.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Butterflies with Heidi Holman
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying wild animals, then this club is for you! Meet NH Fish and Game wildlife biologist Heidi Holman to search for late-season butterflies, caterpillars, and cocoons.
Book Launch: Susie Spikol’s The Book of Fairies
Join Harris Center naturalist and author Susie Spikol for a celebration of her latest book, The Book of Fairies. Try some fairy toast and discover how Susie took inspiration from nature, folklore, and her own wild imagination in writing this new guide to woodland magic.
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!
Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle
Celebrate raptors with author and wildlife biologist Tina Morris as she shares the remarkable story of her trailblazing work to bring the Bald Eagle back from near-extinction in the mid-1970s.
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!
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.
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...
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.
Turtles Alive! A Shell-abration
Join a Squam Lakes Natural Science Center naturalist to meet some of Squam’s turtle ambassadors up close and personal! Learn about the natural history of turtles in New Hampshire, and what you can do to help.
Surveying for Salamanders
Join Harris Center ecologists Brett Amy Thelen and Nate Marchessault for an afternoon of salamander monitoring at the Harris Center’s long-term study plots. No experience necessary!
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...
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.
Opening Reception: Connected to Nature Art Exhibit
This new exhibit, Connected to Nature, by the Lone Mountain Artists showcases seven unique artistic perspectives, each inspired by their personal connections to nature and to the Harris Center itself. On exhibit from October 1 to 30 in the Babbitt Room, with an opening reception on Friday, October 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.
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...
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.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Mushrooms, Slime Molds, & Other Fungi
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying wild animals, then this club is for you! Join Susie Spikol — naturalist and founder of LAB GIRLS+ — to discover the science and mythology of fungi using techniques like field sketching, scavenger hunting, and mushroom collecting.
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.
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.
The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle with Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson
Join Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson to celebrate their new picture book, The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle, and hear the inspiring story of Fire Chief, a rescued snapping turtle.
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!
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration
Join the Harris Center's saw-whet banding team to learn what owl banding efforts are revealing about this diminutive bird of prey, and to see a demonstration of the banding process.
Taking Wing with Broad-winged Hawks: A Workshop for Teachers
Join us for an exploration of one of our most fascinating long-distance migrants: the Broad-winged Hawk! Designed for teachers of grades 3 through high school, this engaging professional development workshop will delve into the wonders of raptor migration.
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration for Families
Join the Harris Center's saw-whet banding team to learn what owl banding efforts are revealing about this diminutive bird of prey, and to see a demonstration of the banding process.
Annual Meeting with Wildlife Artist Rosemary Conroy
Join staff, trustees, and friends for highlights from the past year, special recognitions, and a talk by artist Rosemary Conroy, who will share how connecting to the beauty, wonder, and mystery of the natural world has shaped — and even saved — her life.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this fall. Uncover your wonder, and let the natural world be your teacher. Birds, butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, seeds — come discover it all.
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration
Join the Harris Center's saw-whet banding team to learn what owl banding efforts are revealing about this diminutive bird of prey, and to see a demonstration of the banding process.
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.
Afterschool Program: Building for Wildlife
Join MAXT Makerspace and the Harris Center for this collaborative season of Junior Creatives. Learn about local wildlife using mounted specimens, animal evidence, etc. Then create feeders, nest boxes, and other structures to help local wildlife thrive.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this fall. Uncover your wonder, and let the natural world be your teacher. Birds, butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, seeds — come discover it all.
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration
Join the Harris Center's saw-whet banding team to learn what owl banding efforts are revealing about this diminutive bird of prey, and to see a demonstration of the banding process.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this fall. Uncover your wonder, and let the natural world be your teacher. Birds, butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, seeds — come discover it all.
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.
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.
Great Brook School: Afterschool Yeti Club
Great Brook Middle School School Street, Antrim, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at Great Brook School. Free of charge.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Wildlife Drawing with Rosemary Conroy
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying animals, this club is for you! Meet artist Rosemary Conroy for an afternoon of wildlife drawing. See Rosemary’s art, hear tips on drawing wild animals, and practice your skills!
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.
Monadnock Region Natural History Conference
Join us for the third Monadnock Region Natural History Conference, a full day of learning for backyard naturalists, landowners, scientists, students, educators, and anyone who cares about nature in our neck of the woods!
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this fall. Uncover your wonder, and let the natural world be your teacher. Birds, butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, seeds — come discover it all.
Lunch & Learn: Mighty Monarchs
Join Judy Fink and Emily Wrubel for a photo and video journey to Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries, where millions cluster in the trees each winter. Learn about their incredible migration and what you can do to help protect these vulnerable butterflies.
Great Brook School: Afterschool Yeti Club
Great Brook Middle School School Street, Antrim, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at Great Brook School. Free of charge.
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.
Nature on Tap: Trivia Night
Calling all bird nerds, frog fanatics, and botany buffs! Put your nature knowledge to the test during an evening of nature trivia in Post & Beam’s cozy taproom.
Great Brook School: Afterschool Yeti Club
Great Brook Middle School School Street, Antrim, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at Great Brook School. Free of charge.
Mammal Evidence Investigations: A Workshop for Teachers
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Jenna Spear, and Jaime Hutchinson for this fun and energizing professional development workshop for teachers of all grades. This session will inspire you to step outside and investigate the secret lives of New Hampshire’s wild land mammals, right from your schoolyard!
Utterly Otters
Join naturalist Susie Spikol for a lively talk on the bounding, sliding, swimming river otter! We’ll spend some time getting to know this charismatic local mammal and learning how to recognize its tracks and sign.
Great Brook School: Afterschool Yeti Club
Great Brook Middle School School Street, Antrim, New Hampshire, United StatesCome be a part of fun and adventure in the woods with Yeti Club! We’ll practice wilderness skills like orienteering, fire building, outdoor survival skills, tracking, and more. Open to students in grades 5 through 8 at Great Brook School. Free of charge.
Winter Wonderland Gnome & Fairy Workshop
Join author and naturalist Susie Spikol, creator of Forest Magic for Kids and The Book of Fairies, for an imaginative afternoon of crafting tiny winter gnomes and fairies. Each participant will leave with their own pocket-sized magical being.
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!
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Mammal Evidence
Hiroshi Land Route 137, Peterborough, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying animals, this club is for you! Connect with tracking professionals and learn how to interpret wild animal evidence, such as tracks, scat, feeding sign, and more.
Nature on Tap: Trivia Night
Calling all bird nerds, frog fanatics, and botany buffs! Put your nature knowledge to the test during an evening of nature trivia in Post & Beam’s cozy taproom.
Lunch & Learn: Vulture Conservation in Europe
Join the Hawk Migration Association for an inspiring Zoom presentation with José Tavares and Alice Gama of the Vulture Conservation Foundation, highlighting Europe’s successful Bearded Vulture reintroduction efforts and ongoing vulture conservation.
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!
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this winter as we explore tracks, scat, winter birds, and the secrets of animal survival.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this winter as we explore tracks, scat, winter birds, and the secrets of animal survival.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this winter as we explore tracks, scat, winter birds, and the secrets of animal survival.
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.
The Science of Saw-whet Owls
Join lead owl bander Hillary Siener and Harris Center science director Brett Amy Thelen for an overview of the Harris Center's saw-whet migration monitoring project.
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.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Life in the Cold
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying animals, this club is for you! Meet scientist Karen Seaver and hear about her research studying worms in Antarctica.
An Introduction to Bird Identification, Ecology & Habitats Course
Join biologist and avid birder Matt Tarr for a popular online and field-based course designed to build your skills in identifying birds by sight, song, call, habitat, and behavior. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on February 3.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to let your wild side out this winter as we explore tracks, scat, winter birds, and the secrets of animal survival.
Film Showing: The Alliance
Join us for a big-screen showing of The Alliance, an award-winning documentary about conflict at sea and the challenges of scientific endeavor by New Hampshire filmmaker Amanda Kowalski. After the screening, stay for a Q&A with the filmmaker.
Paddling Through Time: The Long History of Canoes in New England
Join archaeologist Dr. Robert Goodby to explore what newly carbon-dated dugout canoes reveal about the vital role canoe travel played in connecting Native American communities across New England.
Getting Started with Student-Generated Inquiry: A Workshop for Teachers
Join Harris Center teacher-naturalists Jenna Spear and Jaime Hutchinson for a dynamic, hands-on workshop for grades 3–8 educators. Learn practical ways to inspire student-led inquiry and outdoor research right in your schoolyard.
Winter Stories & Nature Legends
Join story spinner Susie Spikol for an afterschool story-time filled with winter magic. Gather around a cozy faux fire to hear fairy tales, legends, and myths from around the world — and even help create a few new tales of your own.
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.
Celebrate a Winter Wonderland
Bundle up for a fun, family-friendly winter morning at the Harris Center, with snow play, fort building, snowshoeing for little ones, and a cozy outdoor picnic.
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.
Nature on Tap with Storm Chaser and Meteorologist Cyrena Arnold
Curious about wild weather? Join storm-chasing meteorologist Cyrena Arnold for an evening of jaw-dropping stories from the Mount Washington Observatory to the Alaskan tundra. Drinks on you, stories on us!
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.
iNaturalist ID Session
Join avid iNatters Nate Marchessault and Steven Lamonde for a cozy morning of improving iNaturalist data quality by adding identifications and annotations to existing iNaturalist observations. With mugs of hot tea or cocoa in our hands and field guides by our side, we'll enjoy the outdoors through the eyes of others and contribute to community science in the process.
Wilderness Survival Skills for Middle Schoolers
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn the fundamentals of winter survival! We’ll guide beginners through essential winter skills, including fire building, water collecting, and crucial first aid. Bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors, and we'll handle the rest. For ages 10 to 14.
February Vacation Camp
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGather your energy and curiosity for three exciting days outdoors with Harris Center teacher-naturalists! We’ll look for animal signs, listen for bird calls, and engineer our own winter forts. For children in grades K through 4.
Wilderness Survival Skills for Middle Schoolers
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn the fundamentals of winter survival! We’ll guide beginners through essential winter skills, including fire building, water collecting, and crucial first aid. Bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors, and we'll handle the rest. For ages 10 to 14.
February Vacation Camp
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGather your energy and curiosity for three exciting days outdoors with Harris Center teacher-naturalists! We’ll look for animal signs, listen for bird calls, and engineer our own winter forts. For children in grades K through 4.
Wilderness Survival Skills for Middle Schoolers
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn the fundamentals of winter survival! We’ll guide beginners through essential winter skills, including fire building, water collecting, and crucial first aid. Bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors, and we'll handle the rest. For ages 10 to 14.
February Vacation Camp
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesGather your energy and curiosity for three exciting days outdoors with Harris Center teacher-naturalists! We’ll look for animal signs, listen for bird calls, and engineer our own winter forts. For children in grades K through 4.
Wilderness Survival Skills for Middle Schoolers
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesLearn the fundamentals of winter survival! We’ll guide beginners through essential winter skills, including fire building, water collecting, and crucial first aid. Bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors, and we'll handle the rest. For ages 10 to 14.
Summer Camp Registration Opens
For more than 40 years, the Harris Center’s summer programs have invited preschoolers through middle schoolers to explore fields, forests, ponds, and mountains through hiking, canoeing, climbing, art, and hands-on discovery with skilled naturalists. In 2026, summer camp runs July 13–17 and 20–24, with a special leadership camp June 29–July 2. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on March 3.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Owl Prowl with a Raptor Biologist
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockIf you like having hands-on experiences in nature, making discoveries, and studying animals, this club is for you! Join owl researcher and raptor biologist Julie Brown for this special chance to search for wild owls around the Harris Center grounds.
Raphael Pumpelly as Indiana Jones: Geology, Monadnock, and the Hidden History Beneath Our Feet
Join writer and filmmaker Matthew Myer Boulton for an overview of Raphael Pumpelly's illustrious, sometimes swashbuckling career, including world travels, geological and archaeological adventures, conservationist passions, and controversial opinions.
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.
Wild Apple Tree Pruning Workshop
Learn how to confidently prune wild apple trees in this hands-on workshop led by Nigel Manley from the Forest Society, who will share practical, beginner-friendly pruning techniques honed over more than 30 years of experience.
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 fun, information-packed volunteer training to join their ranks — or simply to learn more about the remarkable spring amphibian migration.
LAB GIRLS+ Experiments From the Wild & In the Field: Wildlife Camera Trapping
Harris Center & local field sites 83 King's Highway, HancockJoin wildlife biologist and trail camera expert Jaime McGuigan to help set up camera trapping stations at the Harris Center and discover, through photos and videos captured after the program, which wild animals share our landscape. For middle schoolers and up.
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.
Salamanders & Spring Frogs
Join the Hooper Institute and the Harris Center to explore the wild world of amphibians, just as winter turns to spring. Perfect for families with elementary-aged children.
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.
Lunch & Learn: The True Life and Times of New Hampshire’s Fisher
Join fisher fan Susie Spikol to learn about the fascinating natural history of this notorious member of the weasel family.
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.
Homeschool Program: Wild at Home
Harris Center for Conservation Education 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH, United StatesCalling all animal allies, nature noticers, and outdoor explorers! Join Harris Center naturalists Karen Rent and Susie Spikol to search for signs of spring — from birds and blooms to bugs and buds. What will you discover?
