Harvard Forest Buildings Closed--Outdoor Recreation Trails Remain Open

September 2021 update: Harvard Forest office buildings and the Fisher Museum remain closed to the public until further notice due to Covid-19. But the seasons continue to change and it's beautiful here; please come enjoy our recreational trails! Please maintain proper social distance from those outside your group.

Email with questions or call 978-724-3302. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Ask a Question

News & Highlights
September 7, 2021

STEM Teaching Tool Highlights Urban Watershed Data

map of the Merrimack River watershed, showing forests in green and developed areas in red

Science teacher Tara Goodhue of Greater Lowell Technical School worked throughout summer 2020 with Josh Plisinski of the Thompson Lab to learn geospatial mapping techniques and analyze ecosystem services data from the public watershed that serves her school. The work was funded by a Research Experience for Teachers grant from the National Science Foundation as part of the Forest's

August 12, 2021

Study: For Trees, Carbs Are Key to Surviving Insect Defoliation

close-up of Lymantria dispar caterpillar

A study published today in Functional Ecology by HF Senior Ecologist Audrey Barker Plotkin and colleagues sheds light on why some oak trees in our region survived a recent severe outbreak of invasive moth, and some did not. The key? Carbohydrates.

The new study reveals the specific threshold of reserves necessary for the trees to survive: 1.5 percent carbohydrates

July 28, 2021

Trees Telling STEM Stories: Free Online Workshop for Teachers

Scientists Tim Rademacher and Kyle Wyche measure respiration on the trunk of an oak tree in a forest in summer

WHAT: No-cost, virtual workshop introducing a Harvard Forest research and social media initiative about trees’ changing environments.

WHO: For Massachusetts middle and high school STEM teachers and informal educators. Led by scientists and educators from Harvard University (Harvard Forest) and Boston University.

WHEN: Thursday, August 26, 10:00am – 4:00pm (register by August 13)

WHERE: Online, no cost

WHY:

July 22, 2021

Senior Ecologist Position Open

A scientist places a numbered collar around a maple seedling on the forest floor.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Harvard Forest is hiring for a new Senior Ecologist. We encourage applications from all career stages, although a PhD and postdoctoral or similar experience is required. We are open to a variety of disciplines. We particularly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the sciences (Black, Indigenous, and

June 9, 2021

HF Welcomes 2021 Summer Research Interns

screenshot of Zoom meeting with 2021 Summer Research Program participants

On May 24, Harvard Forest welcomed its first-ever class of virtual Summer Research Program students for 11 weeks of mentored research.

Following more than a week of orientation and introductory workshops in data analysis, science communication, and more, these 18 students from around the U.S. are now collecting and analyzing data as part of 10 different research teams.

We

June 2, 2021

High School Teacher Research Opportunity

3 Schoolyard Ecology teachers inspect the leaves of an ash tree in summer.

This paid, part-time, virtual summer Research Experience for Teachers will support a Massachusetts high school teacher in contributing to a scientific study of environmental justice, using authentic research practices that - when translated to the classroom - will empower students to explore local conservation data, practice research techniques, and make positive contributions to their communities.

Teachers from racial/ethnic groups historically excluded from

Explore Our Work

IN THE WOODS

Focus on Phenology
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/other-tags/phenology

LONG-TERM STUDIES

85 Acres, 116,000 Trees
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/other-tags/mega-plot

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Winter Opportunities for Harvard Students
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/undergraduate-students

CONSERVATION SCIENCE

Envisioning the Future Landscape
https://harvardforest-prod.ats.cloud.huit.harvard.edu/policy-land-use

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Jobs & Fellowships Open Now
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/employment

Wildlife Cam

Pause
Deer Browsing
Deer Browsing
Young Moose Browsing
Moose Browsing
Wildlife Trail Cameras at Harvard Forest - February 2016
Wildlife Montage - February 2016
Raccoon
Raccoon at Night
Turkeys with young grazing
Turkey with Young Grazing
Wildlife Trail Cameras at Harvard Forest - Feb/March 2016
Wildlife Trail Cameras at Harvard Forest - Feb/March 2016

Webcams

Pause
Barn Tower 2
Below Canopy
Neon Top of Tower
Hemlock Tower NE
Witness Tree
EMS Tower 2
Harvard Farm North
Barn Tower
EMS Tower
NEON Bottom of Tower
Harvard Farm South
Hemlock Tower SW

Real Time Data

Pause
3. Wind Speed
7. Water Temperature
4. Precipitation
8. Snowpack
5. Stream Discharge
2. Radiation
6. Wetland Water Level
1. Temperature & Humidity

Events at Harvard Forest

See a list of our upcoming seminars & events:

Spring Seminar Series

Future Events

Initiatives & Partner Organizations

Leaf