Holderness, NH— Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout the 2026 season with special programs and events that honor its history while inspiring future generations to explore and protect New Hampshire's natural world.
Founded in 1966, the Science Center has spent six decades connecting people with nature through up-close animal encounters, immersive outdoor experiences, and hands-on environmental education. Early visitors explored exhibits such as Raccoon Hollow, Deer Knoll, and Snake Island. Today, the Science Center Live Animal Exhibit Trail features native wildlife including Black Bears, Mountain Lions, River Otters, and Raptors, continuing the Science Center's commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of New Hampshire's ecosystems. Guided Squam Lake Cruises led by naturalists offer views of Common Loons, Bald Eagles and the surrounding mountains.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the Science Center partnered with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation to present Rooted in Research: Decades of Forest Discovery, a free summer lecture series featuring scientists from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Held throughout July and August, the lectures explored topics including stream ecology, bat diversity, forest history, and scientific illustration, highlighting the importance of long-term ecological research.
The anniversary celebration continues in August with a month-long BioBlitz, inviting visitors to help document the biodiversity found across the Science Center's more than 200 conserved acres. Using the iNaturalist app, participants can record observations of plants, animals, fungi, and insects. Throughout August, the Science Center will offer introductory iNaturalist sessions every Monday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., along with Walks with an Expert led by scientists and naturalists focusing on moths, birds, invasive plants, flowers, shrubs, and other wildlife.
The Science Center will also host its Annual Meeting and Summer Social on Thursday, August 6. The community celebration includes a special 60th anniversary program, a commemorative video, wood-fired pizza from Gusto Italian Food Truck, a tasting experience with Tamworth Distillery, and other local vendors. Donations are welcome, and guests are encouraged to RSVP.
Additionally mark you calendars for the annual Animal Birthday Bash on Wednesday, August 12, one of the Science Center's most popular summer events. Visitors can watch the animals enjoy special birthday enrichment during Up Close to Animals presentations, meet docents with touchable artifacts, create enrichment items for the animals, and enjoy refreshments from Straws+ Food Truck. The event is generously sponsored by Path Vacations and Meredith Landing Real Estate.
The Live Animal Exhibit Trail is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last trail admission at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit nhnature.org.
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About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises, public gardens, and a nature-based Montessori early learning center, the Science Center has educated audiences of all ages since 1966 about the importance of our natural world. The Science Center is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity. Located on Route 113 in Holderness, it’s an easy drive from exit 24 off I-93, and public trails are open daily from May 1 through November 1 with programming throughout the year. For further information about the Science Center, call 603-968-7194 or visit www.nhnature.org.
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Press Contact:
Marylena Sevigney
Marketing & Communications Director
603-968-7194 x134
Marylena.sevigney@nhnature.org
Logos and high-resolution images available at www.nhnature.org/news/media_kit.php