Calendar of Events
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 30, with a closing 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.
