NH Audubon

Backyard and Beyond in Watercolor Exhibit
2026-05-20 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-21 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-22 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-23 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-27 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-28 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-29 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-30 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 8 more dates | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Backyard and Beyond in Watercolor Exhibit by Elaine Packard: May 6-July 2 at the McLane Center in Concord
Art exhibit viewing access may be restricted during private event rentals. Calling ahead to confirm is recommended.

Exhibit Description: Backyard birds, flowers, insects, and animals have been the inspiration for my watercolor journey. While I am fairly new to this medium, I don’t need to look very far for subject matter! Waterfowl and owls are favorites of mine as well, with their varied colors and textures.
I also enjoy the beauty of New England and like to take pictures of landscapes, mountains, lakes, and local landmarks to use as reference photos. A late summer (first-time) trip to the top of Mt. Washington last year via the Cog Railway was truly stunning and I plan to create a few more paintings with the incredible clouds, and distant mountain ranges.
Thank you for supporting the NH Audubon Society and I hope you enjoy my paintings and get a sense of the beautiful part of the country we live in!
Examples of Elaine’s art. (Click to enlarge.)
Bio: From a young age, I found happiness in quiet little things; flowers, birds, animals and scenery and I have integrated them into my artwork. I took many art classes in my high school years and received an Art Scholarship to Rivier College (which wasn’t utilized). Later in life, time constraints of a full-time career and raising a family meant something needed to take the back seat. Life changes in recent years have allowed me the time to return to painting, which I am enjoying immensely!
I believe that continuous learning and being curious helps keep you young and I am currently discovering the beautiful subtleties and technical aspects of watercolor painting. I enjoy this medium very much, although I must admit; there have been some struggles along the way.
I tend to work towards realism, studying the little details of my subjects, moss on a tree branch or the anatomy of a birds’ wings. While birds and animals are some of my favorite subjects, seascapes and landscapes are a good challenge and learning opportunity.
One of my goals was achieved last year; to show my work in a gallery. This was an accomplishment for me personally. The growth from that experience will remain with me for a long time. Meeting art enthusiasts, collectors, and other artists is something I enjoyed and am eager to continue.
My hope is that you find a sense of peace and calmness in my artwork and allow your mind to slow down, notice the small things and enjoy nature, because that is what I feel when I am creating.

NH Audubon Nature Day Camp Open House & Reunion
2026-05-20 17:00 - 18:30 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Are you a family that is new to New Hampshire and looking for a safe, fun, and ecologically meaningful way to get your kids outdoors? Have you already had the chance to enjoy our camp programs? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, then join us for an evening of family fun and a chance to learn more about our Nature Day Camp offerings at NH Audubon’s Camp Open House and Reunion! This free event is open to families that have never heard of our camp programs, those who have new campers attending this year, and folks who have been attending our camps for many years. The frequently used spaces for camp at the Massabesic Center will be open to visit on a self-guided tour with your camper between 4:40-5:10 PM. NH Audubon Education Department staff can assist you with directions.
General Event Timeline:
5:00-5:10 PM: Welcome/sign-in; explore the building/grounds
5:10-5:30 PM: Example “Morning Circle” and group name game; overview of evening
5:30-6:00 PM: Pizza Party, mingle, and photo slideshow/video presentation
6:00-6:30 PM: Kids go to the Nature Lab for an Ambassador Animal Presentation; adults stay in the Meeting Room for a Q&A session
Parking: Please park along the stone wall on the edge of the field and use the white door next to the brick chimney across from the parking lot to enter the McLane Center. Lauren Betz or another member of the NH Audubon Education Department will greet you at the sign-in table.
Please RSVP for everyone in your party/family if you are planning to attend. If you have any questions about this event or camp registration, please contact Lauren Betz. We hope to see you there!

Herb Gardening
2026-05-21 17:30 - 18:30 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
This presentation by Advanced Master Gardener Doris Buco is for gardeners at any level interested in adding herbs to a new or existing garden space or containers. Attendees will learn about the propagation and growth habits of readily available herbs and some that are more difficult to find. An overview of the environmental conditions needed to grow herbs will also be included. The use of culinary herbs is included in the presentation; the medicinal usage of herbs will not be addressed.
Cost:
$10 for NH Audubon members and UNH Ext. Master Gardeners
$15 for non-members
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.
Registration is required by May 19th. If you miss the registration deadline, please email Kimmie Whiteman to inquire about availability. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows, but late registrants may miss pre-workshop or cancellation communications. Limit 30 attendees. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
Logistics:
This presentation will take place primarily indoors at the Massabesic Center. An optional self-guided visit to the raised bed herb garden in the Demonstration Gardens behind the main building is encouraged after we conclude (weather-permitting).
Dress for the weather for the short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot to the building, and from the building to the gardens. The trail through the gardens is flat packed gravel, suitable for most mobility devices including walkers and wheelchairs. Muddy conditions may be present, especially if you choose to walk into the grassy areas surrounding some garden spaces. An email will be sent out the day before the program with weather expectations.
This presentation is intended for adults. Children are welcome, however in the event of disruptions, we ask that children are accompanied by a guardian to enjoy the Nature Lab or gardens until the presentation concludes. Accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman in advance.
This program is brought to you through an ongoing partnership between New Hampshire Audubon and University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program. The Demonstration Gardens at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, which enhance human health and well-being and wildlife habitat.
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NH Audubon’s ticket system utilizes PayPal to process payments. Users are not required to use PayPal to check out; a guest option is provided. PayPal is a trusted way to pay online.

Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area beginner bird walk with the Seacoast Chapter
2026-05-23 07:00 - 10:00
Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area – Saturday, May 23rd 7 am
Bird the varied habitats of the Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area with trip leader Scott Heron. With 190 species seen on the property, in the spring Deer Hill can be full of migrating passerines and breeding water birds. Meet at the entrance gate on Pine Road in Brentwood. Contact: Scott Heron at smheron@gmail.com.This field trip will be limited to 20 participants.
As the trip nears, please visit this website to sign up.

Senior Garden Tour & Planting Activity
2026-05-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Seniors are invited to NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center to experience a private tour of the Demonstration Gardens. Join us for this special guided meander on our All Persons Trail through native pollinator gardens, including a monarch waystation, bird-friendly gardens, vegetable and herb gardens, and a rain garden. You will also enjoy our luscious Wedding Garden and experience a Garden for the Senses. We will stroll the gardens in small groups with UNH Extension Master Gardener volunteers leading the way on a level, hard packed, mobility friendly path, geared to visitors with a wide array of physical abilities.
In addition to the beautiful gardens and pollinator habitat, keep an eye on the sky as we enjoy the wildlife that NH Audubon is protecting at this beautiful and accessible sanctuary. Our pace will be slow with plenty of opportunities for photos should you be inspired. Finish your visit with a free potting activity where you may choose flower seeds to plant in a take-home pot. Watch your flowers grow and bloom all summer as you reminisce about your experience here at the Massabesic Center.
This in-person workshop will take place primarily outdoors. Dress for the weather for the short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot to the building, and for outdoor exploration of the gardens. The garden trail is a short distance meander over flat-packed gravel suitable for most mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs. Tables will be set up outdoors with chairs for the potting activity, along with plenty of benches for resting.
This program is intended for seniors (ages 65 and up), but all ages are welcome. Accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman in advance.
An RSVP is required by May 25th to help ensure adequate supplies. Please RSVP for each individual in your group. If you miss the registration deadline, or if you have questions about groups sharing supplies, please email Kimmie Whiteman to inquire about availability. Limit 35 attendees. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
Inclement weather date: Friday, May 29th, 2026. Confirmation of program date and time will be sent to all registrants on May 26th.
This program is made possible thanks to grant funding from the NH Master Gardeners Alumni Association (NHMGAA).
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.

Pickering Ponds Nest Walk field trip with the Seacoast Chapter
2026-05-30 07:00 - 12:00
Pickering Ponds Nest Walk – Saturday, May 30th 7 am–12 pm
Join us as we look for nests and other evidence of breeding birds on the trails around the ponds and along the Cocheco River. Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 7:00 AM. The entrance is about a mile south of the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant on Pickering Road (opposite mailbox #452). Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218. This field trip will be limited to 25 participants.
As the trip nears, please visit this website to sign up.

Massabesic Gardens Tour
2026-06-02 17:30 - 19:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Join us for an intimate guided tour of the gardens at the Massabesic Center in Auburn. We will lead you on a fun ramble of the grounds, and dig into the history, upkeep, and future of each of our unique garden spaces.
You’ll learn about NH Audubon’s partnership with the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program to create Demonstration Gardens that provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, for human health and well-being and wildlife habitat. These gardens include spaces for pollinators, birds, butterflies, veggies, rainwater, and an ornamental space that serves as the backdrop for wedding ceremonies.
You’ll learn about our community partnership with the Massabesic Garden Club and their efforts to rehabilitate the space lovingly called the Barn Garden. Discover our plan for expanding the Garden for the Senses and take a peaceful pause in the Cathy Small Memorial Garden.
You’ll leave with an appreciation for the hard work that goes into our spaces by the team of over 40 volunteers who maintain our gardens and grounds. We’ll provide information for upcoming educational workshops and ways you can get involved with volunteering in our gardens.
This tour will take place outdoors in the gardens surrounding the buildings at the Massabesic Center. We will meet in front of the entrance to the main building. Bathrooms and drinking fountains will be available at the beginning and end of the tour.
Dress for the weather. There is a short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot, across paved asphalt to the building. Most of the tour will take place on flat packed gravel that is suitable for most mobility devices including walkers and wheelchairs. Some portions of the tour will cross nearby grassy areas.
This program is intended for adults, but children are very welcome! Special accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman in advance.
Bring your camera, sunscreen, bug spray, and questions about creating pollinator habitat at your home.
This event is free to attend. Please RSVP by May 31 to help us get a headcount of how many people to expect. If you miss the RSVP deadline, email Kimmie Whiteman to inquire about availability. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows, but late registrants may miss pre-workshop or cancellation communications. The tour will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Limit 25 attendees. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.

Gifts of the Garden: Q&A Sessions
2026-06-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Visit the Massabesic Center to meet the people who are outstanding in their fields and know all the dirt. No need to herb your enthusiasm! Bring your pressing questions about plants, find your inner peas, discover inspiration for laying down roots at home, or just dig the blooms!
Our volunteer team of University of New Hampshire Extension Master Gardeners enjoy connecting with our visitors and sharing what it takes to create and maintain the luscious, wildlife-friendly gardens at Massabesic. The gardens on site include pollinator and bird-friendly plants, a rain garden space, vegetable and herb gardens, raised beds, wheelchair-accessible beds, and more. As an ongoing partnership between New Hampshire Audubon and University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program, Massabesic’s Demonstration Gardens provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, which enhance human health and well-being and wildlife habitat.
This informal drop-in style event during a volunteer workday is the perfect opportunity to learn how you can create similar garden spaces in your own backyard, whether you have an acre or a patio pot. Curious about what plants might work well in full sun or full shade? What plants attract birds and pollinators? How can you grow vegetables for yourself, while being friendly to the local wildlife who might want to share your crops?
This event is also the perfect time to learn about getting involved in volunteer gardening opportunities at the Massabesic Center.
Logistics:
You can arrive any time between 9am and 11am. As you approach the front entrance of the main building, follow the All-Persons Trail to the right, around the back of the building. The trail will lead you into the gardens, where you’ll find UNH Extension Master Gardeners wearing nametags while working. They’ll be expecting you, so please strike up a conversation and let the plants be your guide!
Dress for the weather. The All-Persons Trail pathway is flat packed gravel suitable for wheelchairs and most mobility devices. Some portions of the gardens are grassy or mulched. The parking lot is primarily dirt and some areas may be muddy or puddled after rains. Sunscreen and personal insect repellant are recommended. Don’t forget your camera!
Building hours (and bathroom access) are 11am to 5pm. Visit the gift shop and meet our animal ambassadors after you spend your morning exploring the gardens.
This event is free to attend. Please RSVP before June 3 to help us get a headcount of how many people to expect. Walk-ins are welcome but may miss cancellation communications. Gardeners will not be on site during inclement weather. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
Children are welcome! Special accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman in advance.
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.

Pollinator Gardens
2026-06-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
The importance of native pollinators has gained a lot of attention lately. Learn about who they are, why they’re important and how you can attract and support them all year long in your own backyard. This presentation will include an overview of gardening for pollinators whether you’re a new or seasoned gardener.
Presenter:
Stacey Scaccia, UNH Extension Master Gardener
Logistics:
This lecture-style presentation will take place indoors, in the main conference room at the Massabesic Center. Dress for the weather for the short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot to the building, and for optional outdoor exploration of the gardens.
We encourage participants to enjoy the gardens after the program concludes. The garden trail is a short distance walk over flat-packed gravel suitable for most mobility devices including walkers and wheelchairs. Muddy conditions may be present, especially if you choose to walk into the grassy areas surrounding some garden spaces. An email will be sent out the day before the program with weather expectations and other details. This program will take place rain or shine.
This presentation is intended for adults. Children are welcome, however in the event of disruptions, we ask that children are accompanied by a guardian to enjoy the Nature Lab or gardens until the presentation concludes. Accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman in advance.
This program is brought to you through an on-going partnership between the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program and New Hampshire Audubon. The Demonstration Gardens at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, which enhance human health and well-being and wildlife habitat.
Cost:
$10 for NH Audubon members and UNH Ext. Master Gardeners
$15 for non-members
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.
Registration required by June 2nd. If you miss the registration deadline, please email Kimmie Whiteman to inquire about availability. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows, but late registrants may miss pre-workshop or cancellation communications. Limit 50 attendees. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
PayPal Disclaimer:
NH Audubon’s ticket system utilizes PayPal to process payments. Users are not required to use PayPal to check out; a guest option is provided. PayPal is a trusted way to pay online.

Pollinator Fest
2026-06-06 10:00 - 17:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Join us for the McLane Center’s first annual Pollinator Fest (previously known at the Native Plant Sale and Craft Fair). This year, the event is taking place outdoors in our large meadow! You won’t want to miss this event as we will have:

Native Plants for sale in a wide selection of plants and shrubs
Explore a wide variety of quality, handmade crafts by local artisans
Become a NH Audubon member and enjoy a 20% discount in our Nature Store during the fair
Stay for lunch at a nearby picnic table, with options provided by local food trucks
Live music from local musicians
Discover answers to all of your pressing questions about gardening, pollinators, native wildlife, and native plants by interacting with our expert staff and volunteer Pollinator Garden team
Meander on your own or embark on a guided tour of our McLane Center Gardens and Pollinator Meadow
Greet our live animal ambassador Red-tailed Hawk, along with turtles, snakes, and more, and get hands-on with fun wildlife artifacts in our Nature Lab
Learn about volunteer opportunities and other ways you can get involved and support NH Audubon’s mission of protecting NH’s environment for wildlife and for people

Pollinator Fest is free to attend. If you feel inspired to support New Hampshire Audubon’s work, please consider a gift to our Annual Fund at nhaudubon.org/donate. Your contribution supports priorities like environmental education for people of all ages across NH, stewardship of nearly 10,000 acres of conserved habitat, science-based environmental policy and advocacy, and statewide conservation research and wildlife monitoring.

Butterfly ID Field Training #1
2026-06-09 11:00 - 13:00
Butterflies are one of the most beautiful elements of the natural world, and scientists recognize that they can also serve as an important indicator of ecosystem health. NH Audubon is partnering with NH Fish and Game and the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) to collect long-term data on butterflies in the Concord region and beyond. We welcome public participation, and while knowledge of butterflies is a plus, it is not necessary. Join us for these amazing opportunities to learn and participate in butterfly conservation.
Trainings (Tuesday 6/9 from 11am-1pm and Saturday 6/13 from 11am–1pm): Steve Mirick, avid birder and expert butterfly enthusiast who has guided both the birding and butterfly communities through his passion, skill and commitment will lead this exploration of the butterfly species in Concord, NH at Karner Blue Butterfly Easement (west end, just past 25 Chenell Drive, Concord). This is an optional (but highly recommended) training to prepare participants for the Capital Area Butterfly Survey in July. (Rain dates 6/10 and 6/14, respectively, from 11am-1pm.)
Following your training be sure to join the Capital Area Butterfly Survey on Saturday 7/25 from 9am–3pm!
Participation in both training and survey events is free of charge. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver. For more information, please contact Lindsay Herlihy at LHerlihy@nhaudubon.org.
The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) organizes the counts and publishes their annual reports. For more information on NABA and the Count Program, please send a self-addressed, stamped business envelope to: NABA, 4 Delaware Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. Or check out their website at www.naba.org.

Behind the Scenes Habitat Management At Odiorne Point State Park program with the Seacoast Chapter
2026-06-10 19:00 - 20:30
Behind the Scenes Habitat Management At Odiorne Point State Park – Wednesday, June 10
Odiorne Point State Park is not only a favorite birding Hot Spot, it is also where one of the largest and most successful invasive plant control projects in NH has been improving habitat for birds and other wildlife. During this program, we will look for birds and learn from the Rockingham County Conservation District about all of the incredible habitat work that has been completed and still planned at Odiorne.
Bio: Arianna Spear, Tracy Degnan and Lenny Lord of the Rockingham County Conservation District and Matt Tarr of the UNH Cooperative Extension.
Contact: Dan Hubbard, 603 978-0218, danielhubbard@peoplepc.com

McLane Center Pollinator Garden Tours
2026-06-11 16:00 - 18:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Join us for a late afternoon guided tour of the gardens at the McLane Audubon Center. Stroll through the pollinator gardens that surround the Center as we share the story of how these spaces were created, how they continue to evolve, and the vital role they play in supporting bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Along the way, you’ll learn how native plants form the foundation of healthy ecosystems and gain practical ideas for creating pollinator-friendly habitat in your own landscape. From early spring blooms to late-season nectar sources, these gardens demonstrate how thoughtful design can provide beauty and ecological value throughout the growing season.
You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the importance of native pollinator gardens, and for the dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers who care for these spaces. We’ll also share information about upcoming workshops and opportunities to get involved, whether you’re interested in learning more or lending a hand in the gardens.
Come be inspired, connect with nature, and see what’s in bloom.
This tour will take place outdoors in the gardens surrounding the buildings at the McLane Center. We will meet in front of the entrance to the main building. Bathrooms and drinking fountains will be available at the beginning and end of the tour.
Dress for the weather. There is a short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot, and a paved concrete pathway that weaves through the gardens. Most of the tour will take place along a walkway that is suitable for most mobility devices including walkers and wheelchairs. Some portions of the tour will cross nearby grassy areas.
This program is intended for adults, but children are very welcome! Special accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Diane De Luca in advance. Bring your camera, sunscreen, bug spray, and questions about creating pollinator habitat at your home.
This event is free to attend. If you feel inspired to support NH Audubon’s work, please consider a gift to our Annual Fund at nhaudubon.org/donate. Your contribution supports priorities like monarch conservation and pollinator habitat creation across New Hampshire.
Please RSVP at least 24 hours in advance to help us get a headcount of how many people to expect. If you miss the RSVP deadline, email Diane De Luca to inquire about availability. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows, but late registrants may miss pre-workshop or cancellation communications. The tour will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Limit 25 attendees. By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.

Restoration of the American Chestnut
2026-06-13 11:00 - 13:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Join NH Audubon Lands Director Colby Fong and long-time volunteer Jack Swatt on a journey through the history of the American Chestnut, once called the “Redwood of the East.” These trees, a dominant staple of New England forests, fell to an imported blight fungus, and efforts are underway to restore them to the forests of the Appalachian Range. Register below to learn more about this fascinating tree’s history, lifecycle, and struggle. After the indoor presentation, attendees can join a hike on the trails around the McLane Center to visit surviving American Chestnut sprouts and a demonstration planting of grafted trees to test for blight resistance.
By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.
Cover photo by Zoe Dawson of the McLane Center American Chestnut demonstration planting.

Butterfly ID Field Training #2
2026-06-13 11:00 - 13:00
