By TIM GOODWIN
If you’ve frequented the N.H. Audubon’s nature store at the McLane Center on a Monday afternoon, you likely crossed paths with Pat Niswander.
That’s because Niswander has been volunteering for the Audubon for 30 years, most recently holding down the fort in the store on Mondays, from 1 to 3 p.m.
She started volunteering with the Audubon so long ago that all it consisted of was that little red house that you see on Silk Farm Road as you get to the much bigger and state-of-the-art building the organization now calls home.
And all of Niswander’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Mostly since she was given one of the highest honors at this year’s Audubon annual meeting: the President’s Award. According to the Audubon, the President’s Award is “given to those who have significantly furthered the organization’s work.”
Sounds like Niswander is kind of a big deal around the McLane Center. And if she wasn’t before, she likely is now.
When Niswander started with the Audubon, she was just retiring and wanted something to do. She had been a member of the Concord Bird and Wildflower Club for more than a decade, doing weekly walks during the migration seasons. And since the Audubon is all about birds and nature, it seemed like the perfect place for her post retirement.
“I was getting through with work and it was time to pick something up,” Niswander said.
She used to do more field work for the Audubon, studying eagles and falcon nesting areas. When she began volunteering, the store was nothing like it is today – just some books and field guides.
“They had a funny little store,” Niswander said. “There wasn’t much there.”
Now at the young age of 90, Niswander enjoys her time in the store. She said she only does two hours on Mondays because that’s what works best for her schedule. We sure hope our social calendar is as busy as Niswander’s sounds when we hit our ninth decade.
“That’s really when I can fit it in,” she said.
When there aren’t people milling around, she makes sure everything is in the right spot and looks presentable. If there’s nothing left to do, she’ll pick up a book and thumb through it.
“I wash my hands,” Niswander said. “If I like it, then I buy it.”
Niswander also gets to meet people from all over the state – and around the world.
“Sometimes I even get a chance to practice my Spanish,” Niswander said.
So the next time you’re at the Audubon on a Monday afternoon, stop in the store and say hello to Niswander. Just be prepared for some conversation.
“I like talking with people,” she said. “I’m a yacker.”
