Climate-Resilient Gardens: Gardening for Extreme Weather Conditions
2024-04-10 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
As home and community gardeners, how do we prepare and adapt our practices to make our gardens more climate-resilient? From seasonal temperature shifts and extreme temperature swings to excess moisture or drought, we’ll talk about some practical strategies to address these challenges, and what it means to grow a climate-resilient garden that can not only “weather” these changes, but also reduce your environmental footprint.
Presenter:
Steph Sosinski, Home Horticulture Program Manager for UNH Extension.
Sean O’Brien, Home Horticulture Program Manager for UNH Extension.
Cost:
$10 for NH Audubon members/Extension Master Gardeners
$15 for non-members
Register here. Registration required by April 8.
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.
This program is brought to you through an ongoing 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, to benefit human health and well-being, and wildlife habitat.

Become a Volunteer Guide: NH Butterfly Monitoring Network
2024-04-10 18:30 - 19:30 | NH
The NH Butterfly Monitoring Network (NHBMN) is relatively new collaborative effort, led by NH Fish & Game and UNH Extension, to engage volunteers in counting and identifying butterflies across New Hampshire. Data collected by volunteers can contribute to our understanding of long-term trends in butterfly populations and inform conservation actions for both common and declining species. An important part of this work involves promoting volunteer participation in July Butterfly Counts, currently held in 6 locations across the state each year. There is growing interest from volunteers in helping at these fun, day-long counts, but we need volunteers to lead groups to increase our capacity and help us collect more useful data.
Join us for this training to learn more about becoming a Volunteer Guide for the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network’s July Butterfly Counts. We’ll provide an overview of the survey process, describe the role of a Volunteer Guide, and share tips for leading a group outdoors. Participants will also be introduced to documenting butterfly species and best practices for data collection. Following the training, we’ll connect you with the coordinator of a local count circle who will provide opportunities for field-based learning and will coordinate with you as a Volunteer Guide for the July Butterfly Count.
You don’t need to be an expert in butterfly identification to be a Volunteer Guide for the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network! Photographs can be taken to identify butterflies later on, using the help of technology and the support of experts already involved in the counts. Volunteer Guides just need to be excited about butterflies, willing to lead a small group outdoors, and interested in learning more.
This training is part of a series of six webinars hosted by the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network, a collaborative effort led by NH Fish & Game Department to engage volunteers in counting and identifying butterflies across New Hampshire. The series will provide information on butterflies in New Hampshire, butterfly biology and identification, and how to get involved with the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network. For more information and to register for the session(s) you want to attend (you don’t need to attend them all), visit naturegroupie.org. All butterfly enthusiasts are welcome, with or without prior experience!
Contact:
Heidi Holman, NH Fish and Game: 603-271-3018
Haley Andreozzi, UNH Cooperative Extension: 603-862-5327, haley.andreozzi@unh.edu
Photo by Anita Fernandez.

Exploring the Wonders of a Pollinator Garden through its Insects
2024-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Seacoast Science Center, Odiorne State Park, Route 1A, Rye, NH, United States
Join the NH Audubon Seacoast Chapter for their in person April program: Exploring the Wonders of a Pollinator Garden through its Insects.
Sometimes, you don’t have to leave your backyard to explore the wonders of the natural world. Join Paul Lacourse on his quest to understand the ecology of his pollinator garden through its insects. He will introduce you to the diversity of the plants and insects that inhabit a pollinator garden and the role they play in it. It’s a beautiful and sometimes creepy look at an often overlooked world within an arm’s reach.
Paul Lacourse taught Life Science, including a Study of NH Birds course, at Winnicunnet High School for 30 years. He is a former President/Vice President and field trip leader of the Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon. Over the last 8 years, he has immersed himself in creating and studying a very productive pollinator garden that incorporates many native plants.
The Seacoast Chapter meets monthly on the second Wednesday except the months of July and August unless there is a special program. Refreshments are served at 7pm and the meetings begin at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted (entrance doors locked at 7:45pm). The public is welcome free of charge. In person meetings are held at the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne State Park, Route 1A, Rye, NH. Wheelchair accessible. For more information on chapter programs, please contact: Dan Hubbard, (603) 332-4093 or danielhubbard@peoplepc.com. Cancellations will be posted on The Seacoast Chapter website.

Human / Nature
2024-04-11 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-12 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-16 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-17 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-18 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-19 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-23 11:00 - 17:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Elderglass by Jackie Hanson.
In this ongoing series, artist Jackie Hanson uses pastels to paint immersive landscapes that feature both well-known and overlooked vantages, often (but not exclusively) from New Hampshire and Maine. While pleasant to the eye, these works help her to think about the tangled relationship between humans and nature. This relationship is both one of forces opposed to each other and inexplicably tied together. Humans can have a devastating impact on our environment, but in many everyday cases, you can observe the Earth reclaiming where humans have moved on. Meanwhile, the human race is beholden to time and ultimately to our planet as well. Jackie’s paintings explore the beauty of the balance between human activity and the Earth’s reciprocity, and the sublime power nature holds. (Recommended reading: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.)
Bio: Jackie Hanson spent her childhood in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, raised in a family where art and creativity were always encouraged. While growing up, she became familiar with the beauty of the outdoors in New England: lakes, mountains, small farms, and plenty of day trips to the ocean. After first using pastels in high school, she rediscovered her love for them while in college, and the way they made her feel the same excitement in the studio as when exploring the natural world. Jackie graduated from New England College’s Institute of Art and Design in 2022 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and plans to continue her art practice as a career.
An Artist’s Reception has been rescheduled to April 24, 4-6pm at the McLane Center.

Earth Day Exhibition 2024 - A Nature Inspired Show
2024-04-11 11:00 - 17:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Each year, NH Audubon holds a day-long, family-friendly Earth Day celebration at the Massabesic Center. As a part of the 2024 celebration, the Center is partnering with the League of NH Craftsmen to feature original work from League artists in a special two month exhibition which includes photography, prints, and fiber art.
An example from the exhibit – Birches by Ron Bowman.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature-themed artwork produced by some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen, displayed in the peaceful setting of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. The exhibition will be open during regular Center hours from April 5-May 31. A reception hosted by the League, and open to the public, will be held on April 21 from 2-4pm.
About the League of NH Craftsmen: For over 90 years, the League has enriched New Hampshire communities through its mission to advance, cultivate and champion fine craft. The League offers a wide-range of educational programs for adults and children, and outstanding hand-made craft is available for purchase at seven affiliated Fine Craft Galleries throughout the state.

Nature Day Camp Open House & Pizza Party
2024-04-11 17:00 - 19:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Are you looking for a safe, fun, and outdoors-focused camp for your kids to attend this summer? Are you new to the Concord or Manchester areas?
Then join Camp Administrator, Claire Adams to learn more about the upcoming camp season! During this free event, Claire will be hosting a “morning circle” activity, complete with a name game and camp song, to give you and your campers a taste of what our camps have to offer. Throughout the event, she will also be available to answer questions and provide hand-outs about the camp philosophy, camp session themes, and policies. Several NH Audubon educators and staff from Media Power Youth will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate activities, including a chance to meet some of our Ambassador Animals. This is a great opportunity for first-time campers or for folks looking to expand into the next level of the camp. Bring the kids. RSVP on our event calendar to let us know you are coming.
We will be serving pizza, snacks, and beverages between 5:45-6:45pm. Come for dinner and stay for the crafts and games!
Are you unsure whether NH Audubon Nature Day Camp is right for your child? Try a day or two of vacation camp to get the flavor of our programs. Signs of Spring camp runs from April 22-26. Registration is open for all 2024 camp sessions on our website. Reserve your spot today!
Please contact Claire Adams, Camp Administrator, with any questions at (603) 224-9909 ext. 404 or cadams@nhaudubon.org.

Earth Day Exhibition 2024 - A Nature Inspired Show
2024-04-12 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-13 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-16 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-17 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-18 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-19 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-23 11:00 - 17:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Each year, NH Audubon holds a day-long, family-friendly Earth Day celebration at the Massabesic Center (this year on Saturday, April 20). As a part of the 2024 celebration, the Center is partnering with the League of NH Craftsmen to feature original work from League artists in a special two month exhibition which includes photography, prints, and fiber art.
An example from the exhibit – Birches by Ron Bowman.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature-themed artwork produced by some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen, displayed in the peaceful setting of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. The exhibition will be open during regular Center hours from April 5-May 31. A reception hosted by the League, and open to the public, will be held on April 21 from 2-4pm.
About the League of NH Craftsmen: For over 90 years, the League has enriched New Hampshire communities through its mission to advance, cultivate and champion fine craft. The League offers a wide-range of educational programs for adults and children, and outstanding hand-made craft is available for purchase at seven affiliated Fine Craft Galleries throughout the state.

Birding Outing at McLane Center
2024-04-13 08:00 - 09:30 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Join NH Audubon for a birding outing along the trails at the McLane Center!
This is an informal birding outing that begins at the McLane Center parking lot in Concord and explores the trails with Mark Suomala, NH Audubon volunteer and former NHA field biologist. All ages and skill levels of birders are welcome. If you are new to birding, come and learn the basics! If you are an avid birder, come to learn new techniques, network with other birders, or share your expertise with the group.
Binocular rental included with ticket. Please dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles over mostly flat, but uneven trails through grassy and wooded terrain. Trails may be soggy or muddy in the rainy season. Dogs are not permitted at Audubon sanctuaries.

Bob Hull Memorial Bluebird Walk
2024-04-13 08:00 - 10:00 | NH
Help trip leader David Blezard clean out bluebird boxes, look for early migrants and lingering winter birds, and get yourself in the mood for spring.
Each year, volunteers join together on a field trip to repair and maintain Bluebird boxes throughout Durham in honor of Bob Hull and his wife Sheila. Bob maintained, replaced, and installed countless Bluebird boxes in Durham. Each year we honor these two beloved members of the Seacoast chapter by carrying on their work in maintaining and repairing these boxes.
During our annual trip we visit many locations where Bob originally installed boxes. We replace those in need of replacing, fix what we can, and clean out the boxes. We also search for early spring migrants. Birds we frequently see on the trip include Eastern Bluebird, Brown Creeper, Pileated Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Wilson’s Snipe, American Kestrel, Killdeer, and much, much more!
It can also be interesting to dissect the nests of bluebirds and the other birds that use these nest boxes. The trip provides great opportunities to connect with chapter members and is a favorite of many!
Meet at the UNH Parking Lot B at 8:00. Contact: David Blezard or call 603-343-1223. Registration is not required.

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
2024-04-16 07:30 - 10:30 | NH
Established in 1992, the Great Bay NWR is home of over 230 species of birds. Join trip leader Matt Tarr, a professional wildlife biologist and UNH Extension professor, for a two-mile loop through some of the refuge’s fields, forests, and beaver wetlands, including an overlook of Great Bay itself. Meet at the refuge parking area at 7:30 AM. Contact: Matt Tarr with any questions.
This field trip will be limited to 16 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter site for more information and to sign-up.

Brockway Wee Explorers - Scales, Skins, and Scutes
2024-04-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Brockway Nature Preserve, Farrington Corner Road, Hopkinton, NH, United States
Join New Hampshire Audubon at Brockway Nature Preserve in Hopkinton for nature exploration with your 3-5 year old. Programs will be held on the first and third Wednesday of every month through May. Each program has an exciting theme regarding wildlife, nature, or the seasons. Programs will begin at 10 am and last about 45 minutes each.
This is an outdoor location with no bathroom facilities. Please dress children for the weather and be ready to walk on the trail, sit on logs and the ground, and dig in the dirt! Programs will be cancelled if poor weather is predicted during the program time; participants will be notified by email of cancellations. To find the meeting circle, park at the Brockway Nature Preserve parking area along Farrington Corners Road in Hopkinton, then follow the entrance trail across the bridge to the circle. For detailed directions, see here. Contact Devin Guilfoyle with any questions about the program. Maximum 10 children.
Cost: Non-resident NH Audubon members: $5/family; Non-resident non-members: $10/family; Free to Hopkinton Residents* (RSVP required below)
*Thanks to an endowment from Dorothy Brockway Osborne, this program is free for Hopkinton Residents.

Entomology for the Masses: Introducing the Insects with Lakes Region Chapter of NH Audubon
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | The Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Road, Moultonborough, NH, 03254, United States
This talk is a celebration of everything with six legs. Insects are by far the most abundant and diverse group of organisms on earth, with by some estimates well over a million species – or slightly over half of ALL species known to live on our planet. And yet what do we REALLY know about these critters? Some of the things insects do are stranger than fiction, but rest assured that they are doing it all the time right under our noses. For example, did you know that male dragonflies can scoop sperm from a previous male out of females’ reproductive organs? Or that some wasps lay eggs inside living caterpillars, and the wasp larvae eat the caterpillar alive from the inside out? And then there are the more familiar stories involving metamorphosis, pollination, and mimicry. So join us to learn some of the basics of insect biology, including an overview of the major groups

Bird Outing at Cedar Swamp Preserve
2024-04-19 08:30 - 10:00 | Cedar Swamp Preserve, Countryside Boulevard, Manchester, NH, 03102, United States
Join NH Audubon for a birding outing along the trails at the Cedar Swamp Preserve in Manchester.
This is an informal birding outing that begins at the Cedar Swamp Preserve and explores the trails with local birder, Joe Mahoney and the Massabesic Center’s education coordinator, Slater Roosa. All ages and skill levels of birders are welcome. If you are new to birding, come and learn the basics! If you are an avid birder, come to learn new techniques, network with other birders, or share your expertise with the group. This outing is accessible via public transportation, on Manchester Transit Authority’s Bus 11 route.
Cost is $8/members or $10/non-members, please contact Slater Roosa if this may be a barrier for your participation. Binocular rental included with ticket. Please dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles over mostly flat, but uneven trails through grassy and wooded terrain. Trails may be soggy or muddy in the rainy season. Dogs are not allowed on this walk. See here for directions to Cedar Swamp Preserve.

Owl Prowl
2024-04-20 04:00 - 09:00 | NH
Join our always popular search for owls and sunrise birds. Meet at 4 am (!) at the Mill Road Plaza parking lot in Durham. Be prepared for a long, and possibly a bit wet, but leisurely walk through the woods. Wear appropriate footwear and bring insect repellent. Contact: Steve Mirick or 603-661-7703. The trip should end by approximately 9:00 AM.
This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter website for more information and to sign-up.

Earth Day Celebration 2024
2024-04-20 10:00 - 15:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
On Saturday, April 20, 2024 NH Audubon Massabesic Center is hosting their Earth Day Celebration. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics; join in the fun with games, crafts, and a special presentation. Don’t miss a day of celebrating planet Earth while also learning to conserve wildlife and our natural resources.
Visit our Earth Day webpage as the event nears for the schedule of the day and all the event details.
Cost: $10 for a family of four (members), $15 for a family of four (non-members).

Earth Day Exhibition 2024 - A Nature Inspired Show
2024-04-20 11:00 - 17:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Each year, NH Audubon holds a day-long, family-friendly Earth Day celebration at the Massabesic Center (today, Saturday, April 20). As a part of the 2024 celebration, the Center is partnering with the League of NH Craftsmen to feature original work from League artists in a special two month exhibition which includes photography, prints, and fiber art.
An example from the exhibit – Birches by Ron Bowman.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature-themed artwork produced by some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen, displayed in the peaceful setting of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. The exhibition will be open during regular Center hours from April 5-May 31. A reception hosted by the League, and open to the public, will be held on April 21 from 2-4pm.
About the League of NH Craftsmen: For over 90 years, the League has enriched New Hampshire communities through its mission to advance, cultivate and champion fine craft. The League offers a wide-range of educational programs for adults and children, and outstanding hand-made craft is available for purchase at seven affiliated Fine Craft Galleries throughout the state.

Reception for Earth Day Exhibition 2024 - A Nature Inspired Show
2024-04-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Join us for a reception with the League of NH Craftsmen to celebrate the beautiful Earth Day Exhibition.
Each year, NH Audubon holds a day-long, family-friendly Earth Day celebration at the Massabesic Center. As a part of the 2024 celebration, the Center is partnering with the League of NH Craftsmen to feature original work from League artists in a special two month exhibition which includes photography, prints, and fiber art.
An example from the exhibit – Birches by Ron Bowman.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature-themed artwork produced by some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen, displayed in the peaceful setting of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. The exhibition will be open during regular Center hours from April 5-May 31.
About the League of NH Craftsmen: For over 90 years, the League has enriched New Hampshire communities through its mission to advance, cultivate and champion fine craft. The League offers a wide-range of educational programs for adults and children, and outstanding hand-made craft is available for purchase at seven affiliated Fine Craft Galleries throughout the state.

Human / Nature
2024-04-24 11:00 - 17:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Elderglass by Jackie Hanson.
In this ongoing series, artist Jackie Hanson uses pastels to paint immersive landscapes that feature both well-known and overlooked vantages, often (but not exclusively) from New Hampshire and Maine. While pleasant to the eye, these works help her to think about the tangled relationship between humans and nature. This relationship is both one of forces opposed to each other and inexplicably tied together. Humans can have a devastating impact on our environment, but in many everyday cases, you can observe the Earth reclaiming where humans have moved on. Meanwhile, the human race is beholden to time and ultimately to our planet as well. Jackie’s paintings explore the beauty of the balance between human activity and the Earth’s reciprocity, and the sublime power nature holds. (Recommended reading: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.)
Bio: Jackie Hanson spent her childhood in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, raised in a family where art and creativity were always encouraged. While growing up, she became familiar with the beauty of the outdoors in New England: lakes, mountains, small farms, and plenty of day trips to the ocean. After first using pastels in high school, she rediscovered her love for them while in college, and the way they made her feel the same excitement in the studio as when exploring the natural world. Jackie graduated from New England College’s Institute of Art and Design in 2022 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and plans to continue her art practice as a career.
