Upcoming events

Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail Kick-off Party

Thursday, April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The kick-off party, free and open to all, celebrates the completion of a hiking trail, covering almost 50 miles, that runs from Mount Wantastiquet, across the river from Brattleboro, to Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey and Dublin. There will be a brief presentation describing each of the section hikes. Antioch students will share an interactive map of the trail created as part of their graduate GIS coursework. You will also be invited to join the Chesterfield Conservation Commission in honoring Tom Duston for all the work he has put into creating the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail and fulfilling a 20-year vision. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer will be served (thanks to the Chesterfield Conservation Commission) and there will be ample time for additional conversations. Parking is easily available in the lot behind the historical society. To help with planning, you are kindly invited to please RSVP by emailing Rick Brackett or calling him at 603-357-0600, ext 105.

Presented by: Monadnock Conservancy, Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail Coalition, and Chesterfield Conservation Commission.
Location: Historical Society of Cheshire County, 246 Main Street, Keene, N.H.
Contact: Email Rick Brackett or call 603-357-0600, ext. 105.

Stories About This Place

Saturday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Join us for an evening of stories spoken from the heart by people in our community who love the land. This annual event is a crowd-pleaser and will leave you with a sense of gratitude about this beautiful region you call home. This year, you’ll enjoy listening to Francelia Clark, Douglas Whynott, Donna Bascom Lund, Craig Thompson, Kathy Schillemat, and John Allen. Please bring a dessert to share; we’ll provide the coffee, tea, and cider. This event is free and open to all. So we can plan accordingly, we encourage you to please click here to register in advance.

Presented by: Monadnock Conservancy.
Location: Marlborough House, 9 Ling Street, Marlborough, N.H.
Contact: Email Anne McBride or call 603-357-0600, ext. 102.

Earth Day Hike: Mount Wantastiquet to Madame Sherri Forest

Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

With view sites to the west from Mount Wantastiquet, to the south from Mine Ledge, and down to Indian Pond from cliffs above, as well as a glimpse of the remains of Madame Sherri’s castle, this hike is a perfect start to this year’s celebration of the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail. Beginning from the Connecticut River, with a moderate but continuous uphill to the 1,368 foot summit, then proceeding up and down along the east-west ridge to a spot overlooking Indian Pond, thence down to the pond for lunch, and continuing and finishing near the castle ruins, this 4.5-mile hike is well worth a day on the trail. Return transportation will be provided by the Chesterfield Conservation Commission from the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, N.H., to the parking area in Hinsdale, N.H.

Presented by: Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail Coalition and Monadnock Conservancy.
Location: Meet at the parking area at the end of Mountain Road, just north of Route 119 at the Brattleboro bridge, in Hinsdale, N.H.
Contact: Email Alicia Lacrosse or call Tom Duston at 603-256-6082.

“Toad People” Film Showing

Thursday, May 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Every year in early summer, the town of Chilliwack, British Columbia comes alive with Western toads crossing roads during their annual migration from wetlands to woods. It’s a perilous journey. Enter the “Toad People,” families who are working together to protect their neighborhood amphibians. This uplifting film is a story about hope, community, and everyday people taking action for wildlife in their own backyards. Following the film, Harris Center Science Director and local Toad Person Brett Amy Thelen will be on hand for questions, and to highlight several local conservation initiatives that relate to what you’ve seen on the big screen.

Presented by: Monadnock Conservancy, Harris Center for Conservation Education, and the Keene State College Film Society.
Location: Putnam Arts Lecture Hall theater, Redfern Arts Center, Keene State College, Keene, N.H.
Contact: Email Brett Amy Thelen or call 603-358-2065.

Five at the Hive hosted by the Monadnock Conservancy

Friday, May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Come for a drink and meet members of the Monadnock Conservancy staff and board. If you love the outdoors, you’ll enjoy spending your Friday evening with people who are just as passionate about preserving and protecting open space in our region. This event is free; cash bar.

Presented by: Monadnock Conservancy, Machina Arts, Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, and Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce.
Location: Hannah Grimes Hive, 25 Roxbury Street, Keene, N.H.
Contact: Email Lindsay Taflas or call 603-357-0600, ext. 113.

Guided Bird Walk with Wendy Ward

Saturday, June 2, from 8 to 10 a.m.

Expert birder Wendy Ward will lead her fourth annual walk through the forests and fields of Distant Hill Gardens in search of our avian friends. We will be looking for interesting species, as well as learning how to identify some of the birds by their songs. In the first five minutes of the 2016 spring bird walk at participants saw an Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, male and female Bluebirds, and a Black-billed Cuckoo. Hopefully this year's walk will be as productive! After the bird walk you are welcome to stay and explore the rest of Distant Hill Gardens for one of their scheduled "Open Garden Days" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free, registration is not required, and by all means bring the kids!

Presented by: Monadnock Conservancy and Distant Hill Gardens.
Location: Distant Hill Gardens, 507 March Hill Road, Walpole, N.H.
Contact: Email Michael Nerrie or call 603-756-4179.

Save the Date! 29th Annual Celebration

Saturday, September 15

Our annual event is a wonderful chance for you to connect with friends and celebrate what your support has accomplished in the past year. Recent projects are highlighted and there's a preview to the coming year, plus annual awards and refreshments. Optional field trips to conserved lands follow the program. More details to be announced as we get closer to the date.