Harris Center for Conservation Education

The Harris Center offers more than 100 programs and outings each year. Volunteer leaders guide hikes, bicycle treks and paddling adventures throughout the Monadnock Region. Programs and workshops are held at the Harris Center. These presentations are widely varied and explore topics such as tracking, bird and hawk identification, land use discussions, sustainable energy, bears and drawing from nature. There is no charge for most programs. Check the calendar of events for a listing of upcoming programs and outings.

The Harris Center's Environmental Studies Institute (ESI) are a variety of courses that provide opportunities for adults to learn about the Monadnock Region’s natural history, connect to the outdoors, and engage in meaningful discussion about the environment. Take a class ... and bring a friend!

Coastal Ecology
Aug. 26, Sept. 2, 9, 16
6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Center
Plus all-day field trip on Sept. 18 to Plum Island.
$60 members/$80 non-members

Join expert instructor Brett Thielen in exploring the beautiful and ecologically complex New England COAST! We’ll look at the geological history, mechanics and influence of the tides and an overview of major coastal life zones (deep sea, subtidal, intertidal, estuary, beach, dune, upland), along with an in-depth look at current coastal conservation issues such as salt marsh and oyster reef restoration. This class will culminate in a day-long field trip to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Mass.

Terrestrial Entomology
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Harris Center
Cost: $40 members / $60 non-members
Instructor: Jenna Spear

Did you know that insects make up over half of all of the plant and animal species on earth? Are you interested in learning about the common terrestrial insects in New England? In this course we’ll learn how to identify the major insect orders and explore the role of beneficial insects in the ecosystem.

Jenna Spear holds a master’s degree in forest entomology from the SUNY College of Forestry in Syracuse, where she specialized in chemical communications between insects. She has taught entomology at SUNY and Antioch University New England, and has worked for the NY Department of Conservation.

Historical Archaeology of the Monadnock Region
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Harris Center and field sites
Cost: $60 members / $80 non-members
Instructor: Martha Pinello

Join Martha Pinello in exploring how archaeologists learn about the historic past. We’ll start with an overview of historical archaeology, including studying biological material to document past landscapes and human behaviors. We’ll investigate methods that historical archaeologists use to understand the role of ethnicity and race in the region’s past. We will discuss strategies to identify above-ground remains and practice those strategies with site visits. Sessions will include presentation and hands-on segments.

Martha Pinello has served as a consultant for garden restorations and historic landscape interpretations. She has conducted research and field work for public works projects, and directed the archaeology program at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth for over 20 years.

Agriculture and the Monadnock Region’s Future
Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18
10:30 a.m. to noon
Location: Harris Center
Cost: $40 members / $60 non-members
Instructor: Ruth Holmes

Whether you’re a backyard gardener or you run an agricultural business, these are exciting times for farming. With instructor Ruth Holmes, we’ll discuss the vast changes in the region’s farming and explore its future, including the eat-local movement, the challenges and rewards of organic gardening, and raising farm animals, from chickens to livestock.

Since July 2004, Ruth Holmes has been one of the principal farmers at Sunnyfield Farm, one of the last working dairy farms in Peterborough. She is a former teacher who previously managed farm programs at The Meeting School in Rindge. Ruth was also on staff at the Canterbury Shaker Village doing vegetable garden restoration. Her present focus is on a challenge put forth by Charles Daloz, to make the Monadnock region 80 percent self-reliant for food in the next 30 years, a topic we’ll discuss for this class.

Harris Center for Conservation Education, Inc.
83 King's Highway, Hancock, NH 03449
Phone 603.525.3394
Fax 603.525.3395

PROGRAMS & OUTINGS

Programs & Outings