As the school year winds down, we hope you’re finding time to breathe, rest, and do whatever brings you joy this summer. When you’re ready to turn your thoughts to the upcoming school year, we’ve gathered a wide range of programs offered across NH—from energizing PD opportunities and student-centered initiatives to engaging community events—to help you return to school feeling inspired and ready.

Here’s a round-up of ways to unwind, reconnect, and plan for outdoor nature-based learning in 2025–26.

🌻 Family-Friendly Public Events

  • Macro & Close-Up Photography Workshop
    June 28, 2025 | 9:00am–12:00pm | Albany, NH
    Learn macro photography techniques with nature photographer Mandy Sanders and OM System ambassador Emilie Talpin.
    🔗 Register & Info

  • Guided Paddle with the Newfound Audubon Center
    July 1, 2025 | 9:30am–12:00pm | Newfound Lake, NH
    Canoe, kayak, or paddleboard along the Northern Newfound Water Trail while learning about geology and ecology.
    🔗 Details

  • New England Hot Sauce Festival
    July 26, 2025 | 11:00am–4:00pm | Hampton, NH
    A spicy celebration of food, music, and fun supporting Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center.
    🔗 Tickets & Info

  • Love Your Lake Day
    August 10, 2025 | Lake Sunapee, NH
    Crafts, games, exhibits, and live animals for the whole family at this lakefront celebration.
    🔗 Event Info

  • StoryWalk® at Slim Baker Area: Your Forest
    August 23 – September 28, 2025 | Bristol, NH
    Read Your Forest by Jon Klassen as you walk through peaceful trails at the Slim Baker Foundation.
    🔗 More Info

  • Squam Lakes Connected Learning Project: StoryWalk & Monarch Larva Monitoring
    StoryWalk Kickoff: June 27, 2025 | 10:00–11:30am | Holderness Town Gazebo
    Enjoy the story Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs, then join the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project starting June 30 at 9:30am at Pemi-Oxbow Preserve. Monitoring continues every Monday through August.
    Great for families and citizen scientists of all ages!
    🔗 Learn more

🌿 Professional Development for Educators

  • VEEP Summer Institute
    June 23–27, 2025 | White Mountains, NH
    Integrate climate learning across content areas. Scholarships and graduate credit available.
    🔗 Details

  • Water Bugs with Kayla Croteau
    July 16, 2025 | 2:00–4:00pm | Odell Park, Franklin, NH
    Get your feet wet exploring aquatic invertebrates and how they reflect stream health.
    🔗 Register here
  • Forest of NH Teacher Tour
    July 22–25, 2025 | Joe Dodge Lodge, Jackson, NH
    Explore sustainable forest management through field visits, sawmill tours, and hands-on Project Learning Tree activities.
    🔗 More Info

  • A Gentle Pathway into Bird Studies
    July 30, 2025 | 9:00am–3:00pm | Harris Center, Hancock, NH
    Build your skills to lead schoolyard bird studies with games, sit spots, and habitat mapping.
    💵 $120 | Register by July 15
    🔗 Register & Info

  • 🌄 UVTPC Fall Conference
    November 13, 2025 | Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT
    A full day of learning and networking for educators and community partners working at the intersection of place, ecology, and education. 🔗 Register here

👧 Student Environmental Opportunities

  • NH Drinking Water Festival, Science Fair & Poetry Contest
    Grades 3–5 | Explore water through science, creativity, and hands-on research.
    🔗 More Info

  • NH Middle School Sustainability & Action Summit
    Middle School | Inspire students to lead sustainability projects rooted in justice and equity.
    📩 Contact: info@nhee.org

  • Youth Climate Leaders Academy
    High School | NH & VT students design climate action plans with mentors and peers.
    🔗 More Info

  • NH Envirothon
    High School | Hands-on natural resource competition for environmental problem-solving.
    🔗 Details

🌟 Spotlight: Explore NHEE’s Organizational Members

Looking for more ways to connect your students with the natural world? Many of our NHEE organizational members offer year-round programs—including school field trips, in-school presentations, and professional development opportunities for educators.

🚌 Whether you’re planning an offsite adventure or want a naturalist to visit your classroom, these organizations provide meaningful, standards-aligned learning experiences across New Hampshire.

👉 Check out our Organizational Members page to explore their work. Click on any logo to visit their website and learn more about upcoming opportunities for teachers and students:
🔗 nhee.org/organizational-members

This is a great way to discover new partners, book field trips, or get support bringing environmental education into your classroom this school year.

📚 Curriculum & Field Trip Resources

  • Sullivan County Lands School Programs
    Field trips on public lands that support seasonal learning, biodiversity, and land stewardship.
    🔗 Program Info

  • Beaver Brook Field Trips
    Seasonal, nature-based programs for all ages that encourage outdoor discovery.
    🔗 Plan Your Visit

  • Nature Education Opportunities – School & Youth Programs
    Interactive, inquiry-based programs aligned with science standards and rooted in mindfulness and curiosity.
    🔗 Learn More

Whether you’re planning next year’s curriculum, seeking student-centered initiatives, or simply looking to recharge outdoors this summer, we hope these opportunities across New Hampshire offer just what you need to start the 2025–26 school year strong.

🌼 Wishing you a restful summer and an inspired school year ahead!