About the Harris Center

Since its founding in 1970, the Harris Center has been bringing environmental studies to local schools throughout the school year. If you live in the Monadnock Region, chances are that your children or your neighbors’ children have participated in Harris Center programs. Classroom lessons and activities, combined with active exploration of local schoolyards and conservation land, builds a strong foundation for a continuing appreciation and respect for the natural world. Harris Center teacher/naturalists work with classroom teachers to plan age-appropriate programs for students in the elementary grades through high school. Topics range from local bird and mammal studies, interpreting mammal tracks and signs, observing the life cycle of frogs in a natural wetland (not in formaldehyde!) to Geology and Astronomy. At the high school level, students monitor water quality in the Contoocook River and work with local conservation commissions. During the summer, children can continue nature exploration through a variety of summer programs. In addition, Harris Center facilities serve as a field station for Antioch New England's Graduate Program in Environmental Studies.

Monarch

As a land trust active in conserving more than 8,800 acres, the Harris Center has worked with towns, landowners, government agencies and other conservation groups to link together a Supersanctuary consisting of over 12,000 acres of protected lands. This greenway is home to far-ranging species such as bear, bobcat and moose. Land conservation efforts focus on protecting important wildlife habitat, scenic roads, viewsheds, shoreland and other water resources, as well as linking and expanding existing blocks of protected open space. Conservation of room to roam for wildlife and hikers also protects air, soil and water quality, and a functioning natural landscape that we can pass along to future generations.

Lace up your hiking boots, grab a paddle, or bring your family to a mushroom hunt at the Harris Center headquarters in Hancock, located in the heart of the Supersanctuary. More than 100 programs and outings (link to calendar) are offered each year throughout the region, free of charge, including workshops, naturalist slide shows, hikes and field trips. Program offerings are rich and varied, from animal tracking to stargazing on foot, snowshoe, bike, canoe or kayak.  Come explore the beautiful and diverse natural areas within the Monadnock highlands, lowlands and waterways.

Whatever the offering, a common theme emerges: respect for the natural world assisted by dedicated Harris Center teacher/naturalists, camp counselors, interns, hike leaders and program presenters, supported by a membership of like-minded people equally dedicated to furthering conservation education and action in the Monadnock Region.