Every year, NH Audubon holds its Annual Gathering to bring members together for a day of outings, awards and to celebrate the year’s accomplishments.
The meeting will be held at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center in Auburn.
We are very pleased to announce that our keynote speaker will be author Jennifer Ackerman!
Award-winning author Jennifer Ackerman has been writing about science and nature for more than three decades. Her most recent book, What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds, explores recent findings on the biology, behavior, and conservation of owls. Her previous book, The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think, was a finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Her New York Times bestselling book, The Genius of Birds, has been translated into 25 languages and was named one of the best nonfiction books of 2016 by The Wall Street Journal, a Best Science Book by National Public Radio’s “Science Friday”, and a Nature Book of the Year by the London Sunday Times. Her other books include Birds by the Shore: Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast (a 2019 reissue by Penguin Press of her first book, Notes from the Shore), Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body, and Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of Heredity. Ackerman’s articles and essays have appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, Scientific American, and many other publications. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship in Nonfiction, a Bunting Fellowship, and a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Jennifer gives highly popular multimedia talks and has presented at numerous literary and nature festivals and other venues around the world.
Registration and further details will be posted closer to the event.
10am: Morning Activity (choose during registration)
Pollinator Garden Tour
Explore the pollinator habitat with Biologist Diane De Luca. Spend time observing the fall blooms and pollinators in the garden, and then use the all-access trail to view and learn about the pollinator meadow restoration project.
Woodland Wander
Educator Willa Coroka leads this walk through the woodland trails of the Silk Farm Sanctuary. Explore the little things as we recall the wonders Nature evokes. We’ll meander the trails in search of the spark that ignites our interest in the wild and fosters our continued commitment to protect, preserve, and cherish it.
Birding Walk
Join President Doug Bechtel and Director of Conservation Programs Marc Nutter for a birding walk at Silk Farm Sanctuary. The walk will feature a tour of the all-access trail surrounding the pollinator meadow and binoculars will be available to borrow.
The Nature of It All; Wildlife Photography with Howard S. Muscott
In this indoor session, Howard will highlight a variety of his wildlife images taken in the United States, Costa Rica and Africa. Hear the stories behind the images along with tips and techniques for ethical wildlife photography.
11:15am Panel Discussion
Curious about climate change? NH Audubon Conservation Scientists Carol Foss, Pam Hunt, and Chris Martin will explain their research related to climate change (including extreme weather, migration, and American Pipits atop Mt. Washington!) during a panel discussion moderated by Julia Furukawa, producer of All Things Considered on NHPR.
Have a climate change question for Carol, Pam or Chris?
Email your question for the panel.
12:30pm Picnic Lunch (provided)
1:15pm Business Meeting
2pm Annual Awards
2:45pm Keynote Address
How Climate Change Will Affect New Hampshire’s Wildlife, by Toni Lyn Morelli (bio below)
**The Nature Store will be open all day from 9:30am-4pm**
Re-live the 2021 Annual Meeting by watching keynote speaker Sy Montgomery and Doug Bechtel’s president address and awards ceremony.
Photo: Hawkwatching during an annual meeting field trip, by Dyanna Smith.