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| Welcome to the Bobcat! |
Thanks for checking out the inaugural issue of The Bobcat, the Harris Center's monthly electronic newsletter. At the suggestion of members, friends and supporters, we've started an e-newsletter to keep you up to date on the Harris Center's many activities and successes, and also to offer thoughts on the seasons, nature, and ways to enjoy the great outdoors. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please feel free to contact us. Enjoy and be well. |
| A Sense of Wonder:
An Evening with Rachel Carson |
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Sunday, March 22, 1:30 p.m.
 On Sunday, March 22, the Harris Center and Hancock Town Library are proud to present a special showing of A Sense of Wonder, a poignant film about environmental pioneer Rachel Carson and her efforts to raise awareness about dangerous pesticides.
When Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, the backlash from her critics thrust her into the center of a political maelstrom. Despite her love of privacy, Carson's convictions and her foresight regarding the risks posed by chemical pesticides forced her into a very public and controversial role.
Based on a long-running play, A Sense of Wonder stars actress Kaiulani Lee as Rachel Carson in this documentary-style film. Depicted in the final year of her life and struggling with cancer, Carson recounts with both humor and anger the attacks by the chemical industry, the government, and the press as she focuses her limited energy to get her message to Congress and the American people.
The film is an intimate and poignant reflection of Carson's life as she emerges as America's most successful advocate for the natural world. A Sense of Wonder was shot in high-definition by Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler at Carson's cottage on the coast of Maine.
In March 2009, the National Women's History Project is honoring women who have taken the lead in the environmental movement, and they are putting special emphasis on the pioneering work of Rachel Carson. In conjunction with this campaign to raise awareness about women and the environment, Sense of Wonder Productions is coordinating a 100-City Tour of the A Sense of Wonder film at universities, libraries, theaters, and other organizations across North America in March. The Harris Center and Hancock Town Library are proud to be a part of this tour.
In 2001, the Harris Center brought Kaiulani Lee and the play, A Sense of Wonder, to the region as viewers packed the Peterborough Players.
The film, "Sense of Wonder," will be shown at 1:30 p.m. at the Harris Center, followed by refreshments.
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| The Nature of March |
A fisher, photographed recently by remote camera near the Harris Center. In March through early April, female fishers give birth to a litter of one to four kits.
Coyotes are in their breeding season and are quite vocal about it!
Springtails (aka snowfleas) will be seen by the thousands on the snow on warm sunny days. Springtails mean spring is right around the corner! | |
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| April 18: The Ice Storm Aftermath
Ecological Effects, Tree Health and Decisions for Landowners |
As winter melts away with the snow, we're seeing many reminders of December's big ice storm. Splintered branches are scattered all along roadsides and throughout the woods and attention is drawn again to cleaning up the storm's remains.
On Saturday, April 18, the Harris Center and UNH Cooperative Extension Service will present a program on the ice storm, touching on its ecological effects and decisions landowners can make about managing their lands. The program is 1 to 4 p.m. at the Harris Center.
One thing to keep in mind about the ice storm is that, in the long run, natural disturbances affect forests all the time in many different ways, according to Steve Roberge, the Extension Service forester for Cheshire County. Joining ice storms are insect infestations, wind storms, fires, and disease. Forests have different responses to different types of disturbances, but they do eventually recover.
Wildlife will also take advantage of opportunities presented by the "Disturbance of 2008," Roberge said. Wounds created by fallen branches will be found by ants and other insects. Woodpeckers, of course, will have a field day, finding plenty of meals and places to nest inside wounded trees.
By shedding branches, the ice storm also created lots of openings in the forest canopy, letting sunlight onto the forest floor and giving flowers and grasses a new chance to thrive, Roberge said.
Meanwhile, landowners have some choices to make as they assess the damage. "The No. 1 concern is safety," Roberge said. "Some trees are still under stress and, if cut, they can spring back or react in a way that someone wouldn't normally expect. Generally, if there's no reason to clean it up, don't." Landowners should also consider hiring a licensed New Hampshire forester when weighing cleanup efforts, he said.
Presenting on April 18 will be Harris Center Senior Naturalist Meade Cadot, and UNH Cooperative Extension foresters Karen Bennett, Jon Nute, and Steve Roberge. Foresters can earn 1.5 CEUs for attending. |
| Great Chances to Learn: The Environmental Studies Institute |
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The Harris Center's Environmental Studies Institute provides an array of opportunities for adults to learn about the Monadnock Region's natural history, connect to the outdoors, and engage in meaningful discussion about the environment.
Coming up this spring:
Vernal Pool Ecology and Conservation: Thursdays, April 2, 9, May 7, 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Harris Center. Cost $25 members/$35 non-members. Join Brett Amy Thelen of the Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory (AVEO) for four spring mornings to look at the unique ecology of New England's temporary spring pools. From the fairy shrimp to wood frogs and spotted salamanders, discover the fascinating life stories of these vernal pool dwellers. Inside lecture time will be balanced with outdoor field experiences. Discussion will include protection and current conservation practices regarding vernal pools. Brett is the science director of AVEO( www.keeneweb.org/aveo/about/who-is-aveo, an organization in Keene dedicated to helping citizens contribute to science. She has a M.S. in Environmental Studies: Conservation Biology form Antioch New England University.
Spring Birds: Thursdays, April 30, May 7, 12, 21, 8 to 10 a.m. at the Harris Center. Cost $25 members/$35 non-members Join Julie Tilden as she explores Harris Center lands in search of spring birds. She'll visit various habitats throughout April and May and talk about the migrants passing through, as well as the residents. Come join this session to learn about spring migrants, their life histories, and how to identify all their songs and colors. Julie is the Monitoring Site Coordinator for Hawk Migration Association of North America. She recently got her Masters degree in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England and is particularly interested in migration ecology. Cost $25 members/$35 non-members. To learn more or register for a course, contact Susie Spikol at the Harris Center, 603-525-3394. |
| Making Tracks |
 Students in Ms. Fraley's fourth grade class from Peterborough Elementary School are excited to discover wildlife sign outside the school. The recent trip revealed signs of wild turkey, squirrel, and other critters. The outside discovery session was led by Janet Altobello, teacher/naturalist and school programs coordinator for the Harris Center. Shown are Daniel Parker, Matthew Greene, and Griffin Werth. |
| This Spring: Land Conservation Leadership Training |
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If you're interested in land conservation and want to help lead protection efforts here in the Monadnock Region, there's a unique opportunity for you this spring.
It's the Land Conservation Leadership Training, a project of the Community Conservation Partnership, and is a six-session training program led by some of New Hampshire's most knowledgeable conservatin professionals.
The program will provide instruction to community members who are interested in supporting and encouraging land conservation in their town and can serve as local contacts for landowners in the beginning stages of conservation projects. The training takes place every other Thursday from April 6 to June 18 at the Harris Center.
Sessions will cover such topics as, introduction to land conservation, stewardship, planning, landowner outreach, and funding.
This training is limited to 25 people from throughout the Monadnock Region.
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| For Middle Schoolers: Nature Writing and Art |
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Here's a neat program for inquisitive and expressive middle schoolers: Nature Writing and Art, presented Tuesday afternoons from March 31 through April 28 at the Hancock Town Library.
Middle schoolers will express themselves through observing and noticing the unfolding of nature all around. Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol and Hancock Children's Librarian Britton Kennedy will present four afternoons of roving and rambling through the quiet bends and curves of Hancock in search of natural inspiration. Writing, drawing and creating individually and together, we'll awaken our senses to the world around us. Celebrate National Poetry Month and Earth Day through art.
This is a program for students in grades 5 through 8. At the Hancock Town Library (students from GBS can take the bus to the library). Co sponsored with the Hancock Town Library. To register, contact Susie Spikol or call 603-525-3394. |
| Out and About with the Harris Center |
Mar. 21 (Sat) - Goin' Where Jack Ware Once Did Roam. Join history buff Eric Aldrich and ecologist Jeff Littleton as they visit the old neighborhood (now "re-wilded") of Jack Ware, a one-time slave who lived in the Hancock hills in the late 1700s. The first half will be a bushwhack to Jack's place, then we'll visit Jack's Pond and return to the Harris Center via the Thumbs Down trail. A moderately strenuous hike totaling about 2 miles. Carpool departs from the Harris Center at 10 a.m. Back about 2 p.m.
March 22 (Sun) - Film: A Sense of Wonder. This is a poignant story about environmental pioneer Rachel Carson and her efforts to raise awareness about dangerous pesticides. The film is based on a long-running film and stars actress Kaiulani Lee as Rachel Carson. Depicted in the final year of her life and struggling with cancer, Carson recounts with both humor and anger the attacks by the chemical industry, the government, and the press as she focuses her limited energy to get her message to Congress and the American people. Co-sponsored by the Hancock Town Library. Refreshments follow the film. 1:30 p.m. at the Harris Center.
Mar. 28 (Sat) - Winter's End Trail Work on the Channing Trail using loppers and bow saws on blowdowns and other debris. Bring your own tools or borrow ours. No experience necessary and all ages welcome. Meet volunteer trail crew chief Jim Orr at 9 a.m. at the Harris Center. Done by noon.
Mar. 28 (Sat) - Early Spring "Waterfowl Safari" on the Connecticut River. This is an annual tradition since 1983 in honor of major benefactor Austin Hubbard, formerly of Walpole. By carpool and a little walking we're likely to see lots of ducks and other species headed up river on spring migration. Caravan departs from the Charlestown Library at 8 a.m. Ends around noon near Herricks Cove, but bring a snack or lunch if some wish to continue on down the river from there. Leaders a veritable flock of birders headed by "Back Yard Birder" Francie Von Mertens, Jim Ells, and Phil Brown, sanctuaries manager for NH Audubon, trip co-sponsor.
Mar. 29 (Sun) - Spend a Mud-Season Afternoon in Peru! Enjoy a presentation by Jan Miller and Ollie Mutch about their wanderings and trecking in the Peruvian Andes. 3 to 5 p.m. in the Harris Center's Babbitt Room.
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Contact Info:
Eric Aldrich
Harris Center for Conservation Education
603-525-3394
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