Environmental Studies Capstone Research with the Harris Center

This year, seniors in the Environmental Studies Department at Keene State College once again conducted their two-semester capstone research projects on Harris Center lands.

Keene State College and the Harris Center of Conservation and Education have a long running collaboration whereby ENST students perform research on Harris Center lands, providing data to assist in meeting conservation goals. Dr. Renate Gebauer of Keene State College, and Jeremy Wilson and Brett Amy Thelen of the Harris Center, have been key mentors for students in these projects.

The students assessed road-stream crossings for flooding potential, mapped invasive species, investigated post-wildfire tree regeneration and soil heath, monitored water quality, surveyed recreational trail use, and used game cameras to study local wildlife, with a focus on fisher and moose.

They presented their findings in two poster sessions on December 14: one at the KSC Student Center, and a second at the Harris Center in Hancock.

View more photos of the capstone poster presentation and field research.

(Used with permission from the Harris Center)