The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire's natural world.
History
The Science Center had a second consecutive year of record breaking attendance with over 50,000 trail visitors.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center was selected by the readers of Parenting New Hampshire magazine as a “Family Favorite” award recipient for Favorite Environmental and Educational Center.
The partnership between the Hobo Railroad and the Science Center for the “Nature by Rail” series was recognized by NH Magazine for the 2014 Best of NH awards as an Editor’s Pick for “Best Business Partnership in a Recreational Category.”
The Science Center received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award for 2014 which honors hospitality excellence that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.
The National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) funded New Hampshire EPSCoR’s Ecosystems and Society Project. Through this initiative, the Science Center joined the newly formed New Hampshire Informal Science Educators Network of ten informal science education organizations. The Network’s goal is to connect ecosystems0based research with the education efforts of informal science centers.
A new Wood Energy Exhibit opened featuring two GARN boilers that provide heat for the Welcome Center, Trailhead Gallery (and Blue Heron School), Webster Building, and Tamworth Pavilion. The boilers will also heat the Water Matters Pavilion – scheduled to open in 2016.
A new Coyote Exhibit opened featuring a five-year-old adult male coyote. Donations from the Hilltop Foundation and Noah Foundation funded this construction.
A new grant from the Jane B. Cook 1983 Charitable Trust provided continuing support for the Osprey Tracking project. Project leader Iain MacLeod presented a paper on the summer foraging behavior of three New Hampshire Ospreys at an Osprey Symposium at the joint meeting of the Wilson Ornithologist Society and the Association of Field ornithologists, in Newport, Rhode Island. Two additional Ospreys were tagged in 2014: Tilton, a male juvenile from a nest in Tilton and Bridget, a female juvenile from a nest in Bridgewater.
The Science Center kicked off the community phase of the Nature Matters capital campaign which enables the Science Center to undertake significant expansion of the current trail exhibits and enhances the long-term financial stability of the Center.
The Horizon Award was given to former trustee Tashia Morgridge for her outstanding service and commitment to the Science Center.
