Volunteers Lauded at 2015 Annual Meeting

October 25, 2015

The Harris Center recognized many extraordinary partners at our 45th Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 18.

The 2015 Laurie Bryan Partnership Award — honoring former Harris Center Executive Director Laurie Bryan’s achievements in working with community partners — was awarded to Bryn Dumas, Matthew Roy, and Dr. Rick Van de Poll, for partnership in introducing both students and teachers to the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Since 2007, these three exceptional partners have collaborated with 9 different Harris Center staff members to reach over 1,000 middle and high school students and more than 30 classroom teachers.

Harris Center teacher/naturalist Polly Pattison (left) with the 2015 Educators of the Year (left to right): Teresa Morris, Elizabeth Marchi, and Alli Carr.

Harris Center teacher/naturalist Polly Pattison (left) with the 2015 Educators of the Year (left to right): Teresa Morris, Elizabeth Marchi, and Alli Carr.

Executive Director Jeremy Wilson announces a very special gift -- a piece of the last outhouse to be removed from our newly-conserved land on Silver Lake -- for volunteer corporate counsel Stephen Froling, in gratitude for his tireless work negotiating complex land protection agreements around Silver Lake..

Executive Director Jeremy Wilson announces a very special gift -- a piece of the last outhouse to be removed from our newly-conserved land on Silver Lake -- for volunteer corporate counsel Stephen Froling, in gratitude for his tireless work negotiating complex land protection agreements around Silver Lake..

Alli Carr, Elizabeth Marchi, and Teresa Morris, 3rd grade teachers at Symonds School in Keene, were named as the Harris Center’s 2015 Educators of the Year for their collaboration on a two-year owl study, part of a broader Harris Center program called “Birds in Our Neighborhood.” We are so pleased to honor these exemplary educators!

Jim Orr was also recognized for 27 years of service as the Harris Center’s volunteer “trail chief”; volunteer corporate counsel Stephen Froling was honored for his tireless work negotiating complex land protection agreements around Silver Lake; and Francie Von Mertens, Alison Rossiter, Jean Govatos, and Sara Dowse were celebrated for bringing the Harris Center’s new pollinator garden to life.

Supporters and staff provide the warp, but our volunteers allow the rich folds of tapestry that is the Harris Center to emerge from the loom. THANK YOU!