Volunteer Cookout

Join us for an afternoon of good food, great company, and community spirit at NLRA’s annual Volunteer Cookout! Whether you’re a long-time volunteer, new to NLRA, or simply curious about how to get involved, this is an opportunity to connect with staff, trustees, and volunteers who power our conservation work. We’ll celebrate the impact of our volunteers and share ways you can lend a hand in protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed. All are welcome—come hungry, bring your questions, and enjoy making new connections!

Storytime at Minot-Sleeper Library

Join NLRA Education & Outreach Manager Mirka Zapletal at the Minot-Sleeper Library for a butterfly-themed storytime! All around Newfound eggs are hatching, caterpillars are eating, and butterflies are fluttering- We’ll read “A Butterfly is Patient” by Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long and make a butterfly craft to take home. This program is free and open to all.

NLRA Volunteer Day

Join us for hands-on projects at Grey Rocks Conservation Area. From planting pollinator gardens to maintaining trails and restoring shoreline habitat, there’s always meaningful work to be done, and a place for everyone to pitch in! This all-ages volunteer event is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded neighbors, and get involved in local conservation efforts. No experience necessary—bring your work gloves and water bottle and we’ll provide the tools, training, and guidance!

Guided Birding with NH Audubon

Join NH Audubon and NLRA for a birding walk at Grey Rocks as we identify birds by sight and sound. You will learn to identify resident species as they establish their summer territories as well as migratory birds passing through. Along the way, you’ll also learn more about bird conservation efforts in New Hampshire. Participants should be comfortable walking up to two miles. The program is free and open to all.

Nature Station: We’re Ready to Bug You!

Join NLRA educators for an exciting adventure into the insect world at Grey Rocks! Insects play crucial roles in our ecosystems—pollinating flowers, feeding animals, and helping break down organic matter—but they often go unappreciated. We’ll explore the different roles insects play and discover which species call Grey Rocks home. Participants will also create a bug craft to take home! Nature Station is a drop-in program with activities suitable for kids of all ages. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Loon EcoTour

Join us for a special Newfound EcoTour featuring a Loon Preservation Committee biologist. Learn about loons, their habitat, and how you can help protect these iconic birds.

Cost $30

Newfound Watershed Hike: Welton Falls State Park

Join Rob Moore, former Chair of the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) Board, and NLRA Conservation Assistant Sarah O’Neill for a hike that will give you a different perspective on the Newfound Watershed. Welton Falls is a geologic gem hidden in the hills of a sub-watershed stream of the Fowler River. Participants should be prepared to cross a shallow river stepping from stone to stone or to have wet feet. This moderate hike is approximately 3.5 miles. This program is free and open to all; please leave pets at home.

Newfound Audubon EcoTour

Join us for a special Newfound EcoTour featuring Devin Guilfoyle, Public Programs Coordinator for NH Audubon. Learn about Newfound’s nesting eagle pairs, their habitat, and how you can help protect these iconic birds.

Cost $25

Guided Birding with NH Audubon

Join NH Audubon and NLRA for a birding walk at the Hebron Town Forest as we identify birds by sight and sound. You will learn to identify resident species as they establish their summer territories as well as migratory birds passing through. Along the way, you’ll also learn more about bird conservation efforts in New Hampshire. This event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the natural world. Participants should be comfortable walking 2 miles. This program is free and open to all.

NLRA Annual Meeting

Join us at Grey Rocks Conservation Area to connect with fellow lake lovers, learn more about our latest projects, and confirm officers.  This event is open to the public, all are encouraged to attend!

Nature Station: Soundscapes!

We often get our first impression of a place through our eyes – but what happens when we use our ears instead? Join NLRA educators for a fun and creative outdoor activity where we’ll explore the local soundscape. As we listen closely to birdsong, rustling leaves, and flowing water, each participant will create a unique sound map—a drawing that shows what they hear and where they hear it. Along the way, kids will also get a hands-on introduction to using a compass. Nature Station is a free, drop-in program with activities designed for kids of all ages.

NLRA Volunteer Day

Join us for hands-on projects at Grey Rocks Conservation Area. From planting pollinator gardens to maintaining trails and restoring shoreline habitat, there’s always meaningful work to be done, and a place for everyone to pitch in! This all-ages volunteer event is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded neighbors, and get involved in local conservation efforts. No experience necessary—bring your work gloves and water bottle and we’ll provide the tools, training, and guidance!

Newfound Nature Series- Banding Together for the Birds

Bird banding is one of the most widely used strategies for scientists to study populations of wild birds. But what exactly is bird banding, and how does it work? Biologist Lindsay Herlihy from the Black Mountain Banding Station will explain the practice, history, and applications of bird banding in local research efforts which rely on banding to study and conserve New England birds.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Watershed Hike: Little Pond, Cockermouth Forest

Join volunteer Jack Giller and NLRA Conservation Assistant Julianne Hazen for a hike that will give you a different perspective on the Newfound Watershed. The Cockermouth Forest in Groton is owned by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF) and includes “Little Pond,” a high elevation wetland that is within one of SPNHF’s Eco-Reserves. This moderate hike is approximately 5 miles. This program is free and open to all; please leave pets at home.

Newfound Nature Series- Sheryl Horton, NH Audubon

Join us for an evening talk about New Hampshire wildlife, ecology, weather, history, and other topics.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Loon EcoTour

Join us for a special Newfound EcoTour featuring a Loon Preservation Committee biologist. Learn about loons, their habitat, and how you can help protect these iconic birds.

Cost: $30

Newfound Nature Series- Dr. Mirka Zapletal, NLRA

Join us for an evening talk about New Hampshire wildlife, ecology, weather, history, and other topics.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.

Nature Station

Join NLRA educators as we explore the ecology of Grey Rocks! Learn about the wildlife, plants, and other aspects of Grey Rocks throughout the year and make a craft to take home. Nature Station is a free, drop-in program with activities designed for kids of all ages. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Nature Series- Dr. Eric Hoffman, Plymouth State University

Join us for an evening talk about New Hampshire wildlife, ecology, weather, history, and other topics.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Loon EcoTour

Join us for a special Newfound EcoTour featuring a Loon Preservation Committee biologist. Learn about loons, their habitat, and how you can help protect these iconic birds.

Cost: $30

NLRA Volunteer Day

Join us for hands-on projects at Grey Rocks Conservation Area. From planting pollinator gardens to maintaining trails and restoring shoreline habitat, there’s always meaningful work to be done, and a place for everyone to pitch in! This all-ages volunteer event is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded neighbors, and get involved in local conservation efforts. No experience necessary—bring your work gloves and water bottle and we’ll provide the tools, training, and guidance!

Newfound Nature Series- Jess Cosentino, Hawk Migration Association

Join us for an evening talk about New Hampshire wildlife, ecology, weather, history, and other topics.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Watershed Hike: Elwell Trail to Bear Mountain

Join volunteer Jack Giller and NLRA Conservation Assistant Owen McCarthy for a hike that will give you a different perspective on the Newfound Watershed. Elwell Trail to Bear Mountain goes through a variety of habitats and provides views southward along Newfound lake. This moderate almost 4 mile out-and-back hike has some rocky scrambles and up-and-down sections at the top. This program is free and open to all; please leave pets at home.

Newfound Nature Series- Grace McCulloch, NH Audubon

Join us for an evening talk about New Hampshire wildlife, ecology, weather, history, and other topics.

The Newfound Nature Series (formerly The Red Barn) is co-hosted by the NH Audubon Society and NLRA. This program is free and open to all.