Calendar of Events
Harris Center for Conservation Education
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 early signs of late summer, from mushrooms to migrating birds. This hike is only for veterans.
Art for Birds: Artist Talk with Robert Hauser
This exhibit features Robert Hauser's art assemblages and “cabinets of curiosities,” which explore the complex cultural dynamics between humans and birds. This art show will be on exhibit from September 2 to 30 in the Babbitt Room. A reception and artist talk will be held on Thursday, September 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
