The Harris Center is committed to ensuring that our trails, conserved lands, educational programs, and conservation research projects are welcoming spaces for all.
The Harris Center is here to help you stay connected to the outdoors. Here are some ways you can find solace, comfort, and inspiration in the natural world.
Outside time is critical for mental and physical health — especially for kids and families. Here are some ideas for activities your kids can do as a break from screen-based remote learning.
Leashed dogs are welcome on Harris Center trails, but it’s important to pack out any dog waste. Here’s why it’s important to pick up after your dog.
Join the Harris Center and award-winning wildlife artist Matt Patterson for a kids’ coloring contest that celebrates New Hampshire turtles.
The Harris Center is switching from “citizen science” to the more inclusive term “community science.” Here’s why.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In April, we share our recommendations for nature poetry.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In March, we share our recommendations for books featuring women writers, scientists, and activists.
We’re making some changes to our Salamander Crossing Brigade program for 2021. Here’s what you need to know.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In February, we share our recommendations for books about fellow naturalist Charles Darwin, who was born this month in 1809.
2020 was a different kind of year for the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory. Here are the highlights.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In January, we share our recommendations for books about owls.
The 2020 Christmas Bird Count saw record-high counts for many species, including Bald Eagles and White-winged Crossbills.
In 2020, our socially-distant citizen scientists documented 8 new vernal pools in four Monadnock Region towns.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In December, we share our recommendations for books about winter.
This is a banner year to see irruptive winter finches! A bonanza of Red Crossbills found its way to the Harris Center in late summer, and there are more finches to come in the colder months.
Harris Center teacher-naturalists are working with educators from New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont to advocate for teaching outside as much as possible, and to offer examples for how this might work in the cold months.
Jack McWhorter has spent the summer and fall artfully carving creatures out of downed trees along the Harris Center’s Harriskat Trail.
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is revolutionizing the study of winged migration, and it’s coming to the Monadnock Region!
The Harris Center is pleased to announce the publication of a new perpetual nature calendar created by naturalist Francie Von Mertens.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In November, we share our recommendations for books about ever-entertaining, everyday squirrels.
The Harris Center honored several extraordinary partners and celebrated the conclusion of our 50th Anniversary Year at our 2020 Annual Meeting.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In October, when mushrooms sprout from the deep, dark ground, we share our recommendations for books about fungi.
Autumn is arguably the best time of year to go for a walk in the woods. It’s also hunting season. Here’s what you need to know to safely share the woods this fall.
In preparation for the start of this extraordinary school year, Harris Center teacher-naturalists recently held workshops for 300 local classroom teachers. The goal: to help them take their teaching outside, where virus transmission rates are much lower.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In September, when migrating raptors soar and swirl overhead, we share our recommendations for books about hawks.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In August, we share our recommendations for books about water.
The Harris Center is working Hawk Mountain to tag Broad-winged Hawks with satellite transmitters, as part of ongoing efforts to better understand the ecology and migratory behavior of this iconic species.
As our communities plan for the reopening of schools, Harris Center teacher-naturalists are working with educators from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine to advocate for teaching outside as much as possible, and to offer examples for how this might work.
The Harris Center is launching a new 50th Anniversary Fund, which will seed innovative education and conservation research projects for years to come, as well as provide for stewardship of the land and trails in our care. Four initial projects have already received funding.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In July, we share our recommendations for books about bugs.
Congrats to Zoe Werth and Trevor Faber of ConVal High School on receiving the Harris Center’s Environmental Leadership Award and scholarship for 2020!
Celebrate the natural world as seen through the eyes of young artists through this virtual art exhibit.
Everyone should feel safe to explore the natural world, free of harassment or prejudice, and we will work to ensure that our trails, lands, and programs are welcoming spaces for all.
For the last few summers, loon nests on Harris Center land along Spoonwood Pond have failed due to predation. This year, the Spoonwood loons may fare better, thanks to the installation of a new nest raft.
Welcome to Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated book list for readers of all ages! In June, we share our recommendations for books about amphibians and reptiles.
Here are the precautions we’re following — and asking you to follow — for outdoor outings to keep our community safe.
Introducing Harris Center Reads — a monthly, curated list of books for readers of all ages! In May, we share our recommendations for books about plants.
The Harris Center is home to a new “chimney” — designed to serve as nesting habitat for Chimney Swifts, a species in decline.
Listen to spring unfold through the sounds of night-migrating birds.
Our trails remain open, but extra precautions are required. Here’s how to keep yourself, and others, safe on the trail in the age of COVID-19.
Calling All Artists from Pre-K Through Grade 12! You’re invited to participate in our first-ever kids’ art contest and exhibit.
In celebration of the our 50th Anniversary, we’re excited to announce the first-ever Harris Center Photo Contest!
The Harris Center is keeping a close watch on COVID-19 developments. Here’s what we’re doing to keep our community healthy.
Our Salamander Crossing Brigade program will be running a little differently in 2020. Here’s what you need to know.
Following two successful seasons of amphibian detours at North Lincoln Street, the City of Keene will be working with the Harris Center on limited closures of the Jordan Road amphibian crossing site, as well.
2019 was a memorable year for the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory. Here’s what we learned.
SB 588 would prohibit “wanton waste” of wild animals and place a ban on coyote killing contests in New Hampshire.
In January, the Harris Center permanently protected 41 forested acres in East Harrisville.
The spots on spotted salamanders are like fingerprints on humans: unique to individuals. Here’s how to contribute to our database of salamander spot patterns.
In December, George and Michelle Caughey donated a conservation easement on a 58-acre parcel in Antrim, protecting 2,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline on Gregg Lake.
Join us for a “Big Year of Birding” — a year-long effort to celebrate 50 years of land protection and environmental education by cataloguing the birds that make the SuperSanctuary their home.
In 2019, our interns and citizen scientists documented 23 new vernal pools in four Monadnock Region towns.
The Harris Center honored our founder and several extraordinary partners at our 49th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 20.
The Harris Center has been given an opportunity to protect a 41-acre parcel in East Harrisville.
What’s the difference between being a Harris Center “member” and being a “donor”? In truth, there is no difference! Our new language for giving aims to eliminate any confusion.
The Harris Center is turning 50, and we’re planning a whole year of celebrations! The festivities will kick off with our 49th Annual Meeting on October 20.
The Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory is now entering its 15th consecutive year of hawk migration data collection and education.
You can now show your love for nearby nature with an official Harris Center license plate!
In late June, we wrapped up our seventh successful season of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates in environmental studies, biology, and related fields.
In June, the Harris Center purchased the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard, ensuring its permanent protection.
Congrats to Ian Aldrich (ConVal High School) and Hannah Jenkins (Conant High School), the recipients of the Harris Center’s 2019 Environmental Leadership Awards for local graduating seniors!
With support from many Friends of the SuperSanctuary, the Harris Center has just purchased the last remaining unprotected parcel along the popular Eastview Rail Trail in Harrisville.
In early June, 105 middle school students gathered in Peterborough for the 11th Annual Monadnock Region Solar Sprint, a solar-powered model car competition organized by the Harris Center.
Thanks to support from NHDES, Q2C, and many individual donors, the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard will be permanently protected.
The Harris Center is now working to conserve the last remaining unprotected parcel along the popular Eastview Rail Trail in Harrisville.
2018 was a monumental year for the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory. Here’s what we learned.
Keene is once again considering a proposal to close the North Lincoln Street amphibian crossing site to vehicle traffic on “Big Nights.” You can help make it happen.
80% of the Silver Lake watershed in Harrisville and Nelson – including 2.9 miles of shoreline – is now protected.
Eric Masterson reflects on the 2018 Christmas Bird Count. This year’s stories: scarcity….and grosbeaks.
Have a natural history artifact (skull, bone, nest) you’d like to donate to our teaching collection? Here’s what you need to know.
We are now just $20,000 away from permanently protecting the 515-acre Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard.
The Harris Center recognized several extraordinary partners at our 48th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 28.
In 2018, our citizen scientists documented 23 new vernal pools in five Monadnock Region towns.
The Harris Center’s team of talented teacher-naturalists are strengthening and sharing their skills this fall – locally, regionally, and even nationally.
We’re delighted to announce that the Harris Center and New Hampshire Audubon have entered into a new partnership to provide research and education staffing for the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory.
2018 was the sixth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates in Environmental Studies.
The Harris Center is working to protect the Granite Lake Headwaters property, a 515-acre parcel located in the Stoddard highlands.
Announcing the Hancock Hikes 5 Challenge, brought to you by the Harris Center and the Hancock Conservation Commission! Hike five Hancock trails between July 1 and December 31, send us photos from each hike, and you’ll receive a prize.
In May, middle school students gathered for the 10th Annual Monadnock Region Solar Sprint, a solar-powered model car competition coordinated by the Harris Center.
Last month, we put the finishing touches on a grid of 30 new solar panels atop the Harris Center’s southeast-facing roofs. This system is expected to generate about half of the energy required to power our building each year.
The Manchester & Keene Railroad line debuted in 1878, but fell into disrepair after the Great Flood of 1936. Now, with the help of many extraordinary partners, a 1.5-mile segment of the old rail line in Hancock and Harrisville, NH has been reopened for non-motorized recreation.
The Keene City Council recently voted unanimously in favor of closing a local road to vehicle traffic on amphibian migration nights, in large part because of data collected by our Salamander Brigade volunteers.
We’re working with several partners to conserve the largest remaining undeveloped, unprotected property on Silver Lake.
Whether you’re a veteran Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteer or a new recruit, here’s how to prepare for helping amphibians cross the road on Big Nights.
The City of Keene is considering a proposal to close the North Lincoln Street amphibian crossing site to vehicle traffic on “Big Nights.”
The Harris Center has just protected a small, but significant parcel of land on Forest Road (Route 123) in Hancock.
Join us for the 118th year of this celebrated tradition.
Brett Amy Thelen received the Cheshire County Conservation District’s Conservation Educator of the Year Award for 2017.
The Harris Center recognized several extraordinary partners at our 47th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 22.
Find out about outstanding, albeit last-minute, opportunities to experience the great outdoors.
In 2017, our citizen scientists documented 46 new vernal pools in ten towns.
We just wrapped up our fifth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a two-month summer internship experience for undergraduates.
The 9th Annual Monadnock Region Solar Sprint, a solar-powered model car competition coordinated by the Harris Center, was a day of fun and learning.
This spring, our Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers saved 3,675 salamanders, frogs, and toads from the crush of the tire.
A new Harris Center afterschool club, designed to help middle school girls stay in love with science, is officially underway.
This project ensures the full protection of the Robb Reservoir shoreline and includes a half-mile of river frontage along the North Branch.
Lab Girls, a new Harris Center afterschool program to help middle school girls stay in love with science, has received seed funding from 100+ Women Who Care.
The Harris Center recognized two outstanding partners at our 46th Annual Meeting on October 16.
In 2016, our intrepid citizen scientists documented 50 new vernal pools in ten Monadnock Region towns.
Eric Masterson is about to embark on an epic journey, following the migration route of the Broad-winged Hawk from New Hampshire to South America — by bicycle.
Harris Center citizen scientists recently aided in the discovery of a Common Nighthawk nest in downtown Keene − complete with a healthy fledgling.
In late June, we wrapped up our fourth year of the Harris Center-Keene State College conservation internship program, a seven-week summer internship experience for undergraduates.
In early June, more than 100 students from six area schools gathered at Adams Park in Peterborough for the 8th Annual Monadnock Region Solar Sprint.
In the wake of widespread public outcry, NHFG has withdrawn their controversial proposal to reinstitute a bobcat hunting and trapping season in the Granite State.
Despite overwhelming public opposition, the NHFG Commission has moved forward with a proposal to re-institute a bobcat hunting and trapping season.
Congratulations to our own Janet Altobello, who has received the Hillsborough County Conservation District’s Conservation Educator of the Year Award for 2016!
The Harris Center and Nelson Conservation Commission have just completed the first phase of the Osgood and Hurd Hill land protection project.
Last month, 8th graders from South Meadow and Great Brook Schools worked with the Harris Center to study water quality in Bogle and and No Name Brooks.
The Harris Center recognized many extraordinary partners at our 45th Annual Meeting on October 18.
Work is nearly complete on a stream restoration project at Falls Brook in Swanzey.
In 2015, our citizen scientists documented 30 new vernal pools, bringing our project total to 190 documented pools on public and conserved lands in the Monadnock Region.
A dedicated group of volunteers spent this past year turning the Harris Center’s old swimming pool into a new pollinator garden, and it’s now open for visitors.
Under the guidance of Harris Center staff and KSC faculty, four outstanding undergraduate interns assisted with many facets of the Harris Center’s diverse work.
The NHFG Commission has voted to move forward with opening a bobcat hunting and trapping season in the Granite State. The Harris Center strongly opposes this proposal.
This month, Harris Center teacher-naturalists worked with 8th graders to conduct a “snow math” investigation.
In 2014, our citizen scientists and student interns documented 33 new vernal pools in ten towns.
Spotted salamanders are one of a kind.
The Harris Center recognized two extraordinary educators from the ConVal School District at our Annual Meeting on October 19.
Salamanders can get you into a good college.
The Harris Center-Keene State College internship program is a win-win.
The goal of this study was to figure out how many amphibians cross the road at North Lincoln Street each spring, and what percentage of them are helped along by the Crossing Brigades.
Salamanders can stop you in your tracks.
The Harris Center has just purchased 109 acres on Brush Brook Road (Route 137), much of which is ranked by the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan as highest value wildlife habitat.
Salamanders are everywhere.
We’re launching a new conservation research initiative focused on our Salamander Crossing Brigades.
In November, AES teachers worked with Harris Center naturalist Jenn Sutton to integrate art and outdoor exploration into a 4th grade science curriculum.
This spring, our citizen scientists documented 50 new vernal pools in seven towns.
In a nature story befitting Halloween, 4th graders at the Jaffrey Grade School have discovered that cemeteries are the perfect place to study the weathering of rocks.
The Harris Center honored two exemplary partners at our Annual Meeting on October 20.
In September, the Nelson Trails Committee put the finishing touches on a new footbridge across Bailey Brook.
Two of our most prominent citizen science programs center around amphibians and their habitat. Why this focus on frogs, toads, and salamanders?
The Harris Center recently installed a fishing line recycling bin at Robb Reservoir.
Four KSC students collected ecological data on Harris Center lands this summer as part of a new partnership with the KSC Environmental Studies Department.
In early June, 8th graders from Great Brook and South Meadow Schools came together for a morning of service learning.
Last week, over 100 students from six area schools gathered in Peterborough for the 6th Annual Monadnock Regional Junior Solar Sprint.
The Meade Cadot Land Conservation Fund will honor Meade by permanently enhancing the Harris Center’s ability to protect and steward land.
Emily Wrubel and Stacy Egan, 8th grade science teachers in the ConVal school district, have been named the 2013 New Hampshire Environmental Educators of the Year.
Friends, family members, former students, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Meade Cadot as he retires from his role as Land Director and Senior Naturalist for the Harris Center.
Andrea Dube and Gail Woolridge were honored for their collaboration on a Birds Across the Seasons curriculum for 3rd graders.
This was the Vernal Pool Project’s inaugural year in Peterborough, where 20 enthusiastic citizen scientists visited 50 potential vernal pools.
Bear expert Ben Kilham spoke to a rapt audience of 160+ Harris Center members at our annual members-only event.
This is the first confirmation of a nighthawk nest in Keene since at least 2007.
The Harris Center was featured in regional, state and even national media this summer.
Longtime Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteer Emily Wilson won an award for her essay, “Goldenrod Spots.”
Brett Amy Thelen has received Antioch University New England’s 2012 Alumni Environmental Excellence Award.
We’re working with a team of partners to restore stream connectivity in the Ashuelot watershed.
Conservation research that’s local, personal, accessible, and collaborative.
Researchers from UNH and NHFG are teaming up on a statewide bobcat study, and they want your help.
Owl bander Chris Volonte is back on the saw-whet beat again, and she reports that 2010 may be shaping up to be a big year.
AVEO and the Harris Center have entered a partnership to strengthen our shared work in the Monadnock Region.
This fall, Antioch University New England partnered with AVEO staff and volunteers for a third year of fall migration songbird banding in Keene.
In 2008 and 2009, our citizen scientists documented 29 occurrences of 5 different invasive plant species in Pisgah State Park.
We’ll once again be monitoring migratory birds as they make their way through the Ashuelot Valley this fall.
This is the only documented successful breeding by nighthawks in the entire state this year.
We’re thrilled to partner on the first-ever Northern Saw-whet Owl banding project in southwest New Hampshire.
AVEO is the proud recipient of the 2008 Maria Pirie Environmental Program Award.
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