Holderness, NH — The 15th annual StoryWalk®, a cherished collaboration between Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness Recreation Department, and Holderness Free Library, with support from Meredith Village Savings Bank, is set to begin soon. The kickoff event will take place on June 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the Curry Place Gazebo, located behind the Holderness Post Office.
This year’s featured story is Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden, inviting families to enjoy reading and nature while walking the StoryWalk® path.
In conjunction with StoryWalk®, the Science Center, supported by Squam Lakes Conservation Society, will launch a community citizen science project to monitor monarch butterfly larvae on milkweed. Starting June 30, interested participants are invited to join weekly monitoring sessions every Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Pemi-Oxbow Preserve that straddles Holderness, Plymouth & Ashland.
By tracking the presence of monarch eggs and larvae, volunteers will contribute valuable data to the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, a nationwide initiative to better understand monarch breeding, distribution, and population health. Community involvement is vital to these efforts, helping scientists and conservationists protect monarchs and their habitats for future generations.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome! Meet in the back left corner of the Plymouth State University Ice Arena parking lot at 9:30 on Monday mornings through the end of August. Contact Heidi Emmons for more information at heidi.emmons@nhnature.org.
Please note:
· PLEASE WEAR LONG PANTS, SOCKS, and CLOSED-TOED SHOES. There is a LOT of poison ivy on the walk out, as well as a healthy population of wood ticks.
· The walk to the field that we are monitoring is about ½ mile long, relatively flat, with easy footing.
For more information about how to get involved in the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, visit https://mlmp.org.
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. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity. The Science Center is located on Route 113 in Holderness, 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.
