Join Simsbury Land Trust and Friends on a Field Trip to Harvard Forest

Monday, October 7, 2024

8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Petersham, MA

Harvard Forest is a 3,000-acre ecological research area owned and managed by Harvard University. The property, in operation since 1907, includes one of North America's oldest managed forests, educational and research facilities, a museum, and recreation trails.

We will have a guided tour of the Fisher Museum which contains 23 internationally acclaimed dioramas depicting how the New England landscape has changed over 230 years as well as 20th century forest stewardship techniques and challenges. We will visit Prospect Hill Forest and Harvard Forest research sites to discuss forest ecology and natural history. Lastly you will have a choice to either hike more Forest Trails and climb the observation towers to take in the views of central New England or you can attend an acorn processing demonstration. The acorn demonstration will include talking about how to select and harvest acorns, how to dry them, and showcase various stages of the process such as shelling, sorting, cold and hot leaching for tannins and acorn flour.

8:15 a.m. - Bus Arrives
We will meet at the Simsbury Land Trust Building, 10 Phelps Lane, Simbury (Park just below Plan B Restaurant on Iron Horse Blvd. parking lot. Please do not park in Historical Society parking lot)

8:30 a.m. - Bus Departs

10:30 a.m.- Arrival at Harvard Forest

11:00 a.m.- Start tour of Fisher Museum

12:00 p.m.- Lunch, by the Petersham Country Store with locally sourced products included in the price of the trip.

1:00 p.m.- Outdoor tour

2:00 p.m.- Your choice: forest trails w/ observation towers or acorn processing demonstration.

3:00 p.m.- Depart Petersham to arrive back in Simsbury by 5:00 p.m.

Prices:
The price includes the round trip bus fare, museum guided tour, lunch, guided tour of forest and research facilities, refreshments on the bus ride home, as well as tips and gratuities. Bus accommodations include lavatory, central air, reclining seats, WiFi, PA system, radio, video system, 110v outlets and 12v USB plugs.

Simsbury Land Trust Members Rate: $115
Non-Member Rate: $125

This program is limited to the first 32 people who register. Prepayment is required upon sign up. We are not able to offer refunds.

Special thanks to Friends of Simsbury Library for co-sponsoring this program.