Join us at Folsom’s Sugar House in Chester, New Hampshire for a quintessential and delicious New England Saturday, learning about maple syrup and the science around it. We will tour the sugar shack to watch production in action and learn about how this key New England product is made. Our hosts at Folsom’s Sugar House, Brian and Sue, have been producing maple products for almost 40 years, and will share the process with us in their sugar shack. (You will also have the opportunity to buy goodies afterwards at the farm store.)

We will also be joined by David Moore, a UNH graduate student in Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science (NRESS) with a background in tree syrup production. Moore will speak about the science behind maple syrup, the impacts of climate change, wood anatomy, tree physiology and what makes tapping sustainable.

Prior to graduate school, David ran The Crooked Chimney in Lee, New Hampshire, for several years, where he produced birch and sycamore syrup commercially. His experiences in the syrup industry have been instrumental in informing his research. David’s work as a producer and as a scientist has been featured in or at The Sugarmaker’s Companion: An Integrated Approach to Producing Syrup From Maple, Birch, and Walnut Trees, Northern Woodlands, the Associated Press, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, The Boston Globe among others.

Please wear comfortable outdoor clothing and appropriate footwear. Layers may be useful as Sugar Shacks can be quite warm, but some of our tour and talk will be outside.

An outhouse will be available.

For Members, By Members — streaming live to explorers worldwide.

We’re back with another edition of Dispatches from the Field, a new digital program designed to bring The Explorers Club community closer—wherever you are. Whether you can’t always make it to in-person events or want more ways to connect with the TEC network, Dispatches bridges that gap by highlighting the incredible work of our Members.

It’s a space to meet fellow explorers, learn from leading field scientists, and make the connections needed for your next great expedition. Each session kicks off with a 10-minute talk from a Featured Speaker, streamed live to the public on explorers.org and our YouTube channel.

This will be followed by Campfire sessions—intimate, Members-Only breakout groups where you can connect, share ideas, and build relationships.

These are Dispatches from the Field — a program for explorers, by explorers.

Members Only. Online Only.
Email TEC HQ at dispatches@explorers.org

Kim Frank FN’18 is an award-winning writer whose new book, Elephants in the Hourglass, a Journey of Reckoning and Hope Along the Himalaya (Pegasus, NY) is now available. Her work has been published in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, Oceanographic, Earth Island Journal, American Literary Review, SVPN Magazine, where she served as editor, and more. Her multi-media project “Asian Elephants: From Conflict to Coexistence” includes articles, multiple talks, podcasts, interviews, and writing/directing/producing the upcoming documentary, Where the Forest Roars. Other projects include the books Born to Ice with National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen and Amaze with SeaLegacy founder Cristina Mittermeier. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society, with a Master of Fine Arts from the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice.

To learn more about Kim Frank, visit kimfrankwriter.com.

Kim Frank will present Into the Unknown: The Art of Expedition Storytelling:

Exploration is about venturing into unknown and sharing what you’ve learned. The most compelling stories from the field bring together diverse cultures, scientific discoveries, and and personal journeys, resonating with a broader audience. Drawing from my experiences documenting the human-elephant conflict in India, I’ll share how expedition storytelling can inspire action and deepen our connection with each other and the natural world.

WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DISPATCHES:

“The newly instituted Dispatches delivered on its goal of introducing exciting exploration field work in a very relatable format.  The small group breakout rooms provided an intimate Explorers Club bar/hallway-like venue to run into and get to know fellow members and their exciting explorations. I encourage everyone to join the next Dispatches session.” - Tom Dietz, PhD. FN’20, Vice Chair, Northern California Chapter

“Dispatches are a great way to learn about an inspiring expedition. But even more, to bring the amazing connections with other club members into your daily life. I had amazing conversations with members I had never met in my first Dispatches chat room, which have since led to calls and coffees. Dispatches was like a mini hit of ECAD and I left the hour with a huge grin on my face! I totally walked away with a contact high!” - Julianne Gauron, MN’21, New England Chapter

"Dispatches from the Field are THE BEST new addition to the TEC experience. Featuring tales of adventure from member speakers plus time to commune and network, these virtual sessions fly by — and as soon as they wrap, I find myself jonesing for more. Whether you live near HQ or you're on the other side of the planet, do yourself a favor: tune in for the next one." - Rachel Rudwall, FN’19, Pacific Northwest Chapter

Congratulations!  You just won a free trip to the International Space Station. Dan will give your pre-flight briefing, then we’ll launch you on a SpaceX Dragon, dock with the ISS, and float on over to the Cupola for lovely views of Earth.  

If we time it right, you’ll see the vast Sahara, the Mediterranean, Himalayas, Aurora, nightlights and more.  Dan has arranged with some musicians to serenade us as we go.

With luck, we’ll even fly over New England, home of our chapter of the Explorers Club.  Finally, I’ll bring you safely back to a splash down, and award your mission patch.

Daniel Barstow is Director of Earth Music Theatre, with movies that combine astronaut photography of Earth with joyous music by world-class musicians.  Previously, he was Senior Education Manager for the International Space Station US National Lab, Director of TERC’s Center for Earth and Space Science Education, President of the Challenger Learning Center network and Principal Investigator for Windows on Earth, with its breath-taking photos of Earth taken by the astronauts.  Now retired, he continues his work with Earth photography from space, as Education Mission Specialist for the Association of Space Explorers and Earth Music Theater.  He is a National Fellow of the Explorers Club.

Open to members and non members.

This talk will be help online only via zoom.

ECAD is the World’s Largest Gathering of Explorers once upon New York City each April! ECAD 2025 will be April 24-27th

This panel will demystify ECAD for new members or those who still or unsure, to help with planning and booking. And to allow you to ask any questions you may have!

Tickets for ECAD (the Explorers Club Annual Dinner) are on sale now! ECAD weekend includes the annual dinner (only event which costs money), but also so much more! Come learn from chapter members who have attended ECAD weekend to find out more about what ECAD is, what to expect and how to maximize your experience.

Topics will include:
- Dates and basic logistics of ECAD (including new member drinks Friday Night, and tbd Chapter meet up)
- When events are happening to help in your arrival and departure planning.
- Annual Dinner and Volunteering. What is the annual dinner like? Can I volunteer? (Gala alternatives)
- What are the other events over the weekend, when are they?
- EC50
- NGEN
- Symposium
- Grants/Flag Returns
- Members Annual Meeting. What happens at the meeting? Is it worth attending?

There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the weekend.

This talk will be help online via zoom. Open to members. Please contact newengland@explorers.org for further info and links.

ECAD 101

Founded around our inaugural meeting in 1904, the ECAD weekend is not to be missed. Members from around the world come together over ECAD weekend for three days of talks, parties, fancy dinners, grant presentations, flag returns, member meetings, cocktail parties, and above all making amazing connections with fellow explorers. If you are able plan to come Thursday night to Sunday night to catch all the festivities at the Clubhouse. The ECAD 2025 Gala theme is Paradise Found Protecting Precious Places.

All events are free for members except the Gala Saturday night which requires tickets, purchased in advance. Tickets do sell out.

Each year evolves slightly but generally follows the same schedule, here is a link to the 2024 schedule.
When it is published you will find the 2025 schedule here.

Anjanette DeCarlo, Lecturer at University of Vermont Grossman School of Business and founder the Save Frankincense initiative will speak about her work and the threats that face Frankincense.

Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo received her doctorate in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Vermont. She is a Lecturer on supply chains in the Sustainable Innovation MBA at UVM and Anthropology at Saint Michaels College. As the former Chief Sustainability Scientist at the Aromatic Plant Research Center, she conducts primary anthropological and ecological field research and ecological supply chain analysis on aromatic and medicinal species. As founder of the Save Frankincense initiative she consults with the private sector on green and ethical supply webs and provides education and outreach for the public.  As a development expert, she has worked on post-conflict evaluations of natural assets, supply chains and environmental projects, cross culturally, in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada and China. Previously, Dr. DeCarlo was the Program Director of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and with the Natural Resources Defense Council, where she worked on some of the first iterations of socially responsible business benchmarks and triple bottom line reporting. Dr. DeCarlo’s intensive work on frankincense is regularly highlighted in the media including CNN Inside Africa, the New York Times, and National Geographic, The Guardian, Vice News and more.

The event will be streaming ONLINE ONLY. Link available through RSVP.

If you have any questions please email newengland@explorers.org

Informal time to meet other chapter members, talk about your work and upcoming expeditions, plan expeditions, get ideas and general connection point with chapter members.

Pending

Time - November

Location - Providence TBC

host - hosted by Mark

Whether you can’t always make it to in-person events or want more ways to connect with the TEC network, Dispatches bridges that gap by highlighting the incredible work of our Members. It’s a space to meet fellow explorers, learn from leading field scientists, and make the connections needed for your next great expedition.

Wednesday, November 13 at 12:00 pm ET

pre register to attend online

Jeska Clark TM’21 is an entrepreneur, explorer, and athlete driven by a passion for pushing boundaries and giving back to her community. Her adventures encompass both innovation and environmental stewardship. Jeska has participated in marine conservation efforts involving bamboo sharks in the Malaysian islands, and polar expedition training in Northern Canada to high-altitude mountaineering summits in North America, South America, and the Himalayas. All while also honing her leadership and lifesaving skills through Search and Rescue (SAR) training and volunteering.

She is the expedition leader of the Full Circle North Pole Expedition, a groundbreaking expedition led by an all-Black-supported team of explorers, who will attempt the final degree of the North Pole to break new ground in polar expedition. The Full Circle North Pole Expedition aims to pay tribute to the legacy of Matthew Henson, who was the first African American to reach the North Pole in 1909. Additionally, the team seeks to usher in a new era of representation in polar expeditions.

Clark explains that “this project represents a journey of both physical and cultural significance. We hope to bring a fresh perspective to polar expedition and shed light on Matthew Henson’s often overlooked story.”

The team of athletes and adventurers comes from all walks of life. The North Pole team members include L. Renee Blount, Danica Carey, Erick Cedeño, Dom Mullins Evan Green, Thomas Moore, and Marcus Shoffner.

Learn More about the Expedition

Members-Only

This is an event run by the Explorers Club Global out of New York.

Join us for a day at UNH!

10:30am -12:15pm Expedition Talk and Lab Tour with TEC Fellow Larry Mayer

Larry Mayer (FN ‘17), Director of the Center of Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM) at the University of New Hampshire invites you to visit the lab. Larry will report on his recently completed Explorers Club Flag Expedition on the Swedish Icebreaker ODEN which made it to Victoria and Nordenskiold Fjords in northern Greenland, further than any ship had ever traveled before in the Lincoln Sea. Once there, they spent several weeks, mapping and making a myriad of other measurements aimed at understanding the processes responsible for the rapid melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

He will also offer a brief tour of the lab facilities, including its Visualization Lab, world-renowned for developing innovative approaches for the 3- and 4-D visualization of ocean data. At the same time, the lab is running a program that involves the simultaneous operation of two large (8m long) robotic vessels mapping in the Gulf of Maine. The Remote Operations Center is in the lab and if time permits, we can pop in and see what they are up to.

12:15pm-1:00pm Picnic Lunch

Bring your own picnic and enjoy lunch together on the UNH campus.

1:00pm-2:30pm Hike with Maine Guide and TEC Member John Henkelman

John Henkelman (MN ‘21) is Maine Guide and Natural Resources Management Ph.D. student at UNH.

He will take us out on a hike to explore the college woods, an educational area on campus for forestry, environmental science, and recreation to name a few. The trail is a wide gravel path with many options to choose from depending on the interests/needs of the group.