Give to the Harvard Forest
Receiving less than half of its annual funding from Harvard University, the Harvard Forest relies heavily on grants and philanthropic gifts to conduct its research and educational activities.
Some of our federal grants have already been defunded.
Beginning in the 1980’s, a significant portion of our research was funded by public agencies whose support was, until recently, unwavering. The Harvard Forest remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing local and global environmental challenges through excellence in science, education, and engagement with society. As the climate crisis unfolds, individual donations are increasingly impactful in advancing our understanding of its effects.
We have had the good fortune of running many of our educational and research programs for twenty, sometimes over thirty years. Our world-class students, facilities, and long-term data began inspiring many of Harvard Forest’s senior scientists — including our Director — as early undergraduates at Harvard College.
Below are several foundational programs at the Harvard Forest that rely on outside financial support to continue. Please consider dedicating your gift to one of them!
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists & Leaders
Harvard Forest’s Schoolyard Ecology program reaches 2,500 students annually. Through real-world contexts, collaboration with Harvard Forest Senior Scientists, and support for public school teachers, this program serves as a model to science educators nationwide.
$150,000 is needed annually to secure the future of this activity.
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World-Class Research Towers: Ensuring Continuous Climate Data Collection
With nearly fifty decades of publicly-available data, Harvard Forest’s five research towers maintain the longest continuous record of surface-atmosphere exchange in the world, tracking fluxes of carbon, methane, ozone, and more. Beginning with our first flux tower in 1989, our resulting public dataset is globally regarded as the gold-standard, serving as a benchmark for climate models, air pollution, and drought prediction.
$250,000 is needed annually to ensure the future of this vital public dataset.
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Mapping Climate Impacts: Supporting the largest study of its kind
Established in 2010 with Smithsonian, the Harvard Forest’s Global Earth Observatory is the most important site on our planet for understanding temperate forest dynamics; this informs global satellite research and federal agencies with the world’s longest-running forest carbon & water data.
$50,000 is needed annually to ensure the future of this activity.
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Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Harvard Forest’s Summer Research Program in Ecology is a field-based, immersive program that engages roughly 20 undergraduates annually. With mentors that are scientists in the field, student interns advance complex ecological inquiries with evidence-based education practices in a shared residential setting.
Each student’s experience costs $14,000.
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The Harvard Forest is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Donations can be made online here, or mailed to the address below. If you prefer to make a donation in person, they are gratefully accepted at the Fisher Museum, or you can make an appointment with our Director of Outreach and Education, Clarisse Hart.
Mail to: Harvard Forest
ATTN: Clarisse Hart, Development
324 North Main Street
Petersham, MA 01366
(Checks payable to “Harvard University”, with “Harvard Forest” and any specific programs in the memo line)