RECENT EVENTS
Thurs. 3/16 - "Bogs and Fens: New England's Most Pristine Ecosystems" With Dr. Ron Davis, founder of the Orono Bog. In New England, at least 25 bogs and fens can be visited on boardwalks to see carnivorous plants, orchids, and uncommon bird species. Davis, author of a new book on these peatlands, will explain some of the unique features of these beautiful and fascinating ecosystems, illustrated with his outstanding photos.
Sat. 3/11, 9-1 Snowshoe the Ridge to River Trail, Georges River Land Trust. Meet at 9am on Ghent Road, off Rte 131, at bridge over the St. George River in Searsmont. 5 miles, some steep. Bring water, lunch, warm layers.
Thurs. 2/16 - “Regenerative Community through Nature Connection: a Hands-On Workshop"
Join Trevanna and Trevanion Grenfell of Northwood Natural Learning for an evening of community-building: Make natural milkweed cordage, share hopes and fears, and experience the unique mentoring model that Northwood weaves through its programs to help inspire and deepen people of all ages' relationships with our community and the wild.
Sat. 2/11, 10-2 Snowshoe, ski, or hike with ice creepers the trail from Hauk Fry to Bessey Preserve, Swanville, (Coastal Mountains Land Trust property) - Meet at 10 am at the Swanville Transfer Station on Rte 141. Bring water, lunch, warm layers. The trail is 2 miles over rough terrain, a few hills but not mountainous.
Thurs. 1/19 - "The Sedges of Maine"
Matt Arsenault, co-author of Sedges of Maine, will present the biology and ecology of sedges, their important role in many of our ecosystems, and the crucial importance of those ecosystems in environmental protection. More info here.
Sat. 1/14, 10-1 Snow outing with Cloe Chunn and David Thanhauser at their homestead (210 Oak Hill Rd, Swanville) - Come at 10 am for cross-country skiing & snowshoeing, noon for potluck social. Bring skis or snowshoes (still hoping) and also ice creepers or ice skates, if you like to skate. The potluck will go on in spite of the weather!
Thurs. 12/15 Mercury contamination in Penobscot Bay
Free presentation with Dianne Kopec, Research Biologist for the Penobscot River Mercury Study, which was ordered by a federal court. This seven-year study documented harmful levels of mercury in the sediment of the river and upper Penobscot Bay, attributed to the HoltraChem facility, and showed that mercury entered the aquatic food web and reached toxic concentrations in fish, lobster, breeding marsh birds and wintering waterfowl. In response to these findings, Maine has issued health warnings on consumption of waterfowl from the lower Penobscot River and closed 12 square miles of upper Penobscot Bay to lobster and crab fishing.
Sat. 12/10, 10-1 Hike at Long Cove Headwaters Preserve (Coastal Mountains Land Trust) in Searsport
Meet at 10am at Tozier's Family Market, Rte 1 Searsport, to carpool to trailhead. Bring water, lunch, warm layers, and wear sturdy shoes (snowshoes or skis if snow.)
Wed. 11/30, 6-8pm - BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP - Belfast Free Library
The community is invited to discuss our next book club selection, The Nature Principle by Richard Louv. The immediacy of Louv's message in his earlier book "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder" galvanized an international movement to reconnect children with nature. Now, in The Nature Principle, Louv reaches even further with a powerful call to action for the rest of us. Co-sponsored with the Belfast Free Library.
Thurs. 11/17 - A Journey inside the Maine Woods National Park
Experience an extraordinary journey to one of the last, great, unprotected wilderness areas within the U.S, the proposed 3.2 million acre Maine Woods National Park. Award-winning professional photography team of Lee Ann Szelog & Thomas Mark Szelog will personally guide you into the proposed park to experience and learn more about this fragile and priceless ecosystem.
Sun. 11/13, 10-1 - Hike the new trail at Mainstream Preserve
(Coastal Mountains Land Trust) in Stockton & Prospect
Meet at 10am at the Irving Station in Searsport to carpool to the trailhead. Bring water, lunch, warm layers, and rain gear. Wear sturdy boots and orange clothing.