Join us for a ribbon cutting and hike in Liberty at Midcoast Conservancy’s newest trail. This 5.5-mile network is nestled into 1,100 acres of conserved land that includes Lake St. George State Park. The woods here contain some of the Sheepscot River headwater’s exquisite mature forest with many old trees and an open understory.

We’ll hike up and over Bolen Hill and down to the Sheepscot River. In recent decades scientists have learned that older forests harbor a greater diversity of species and play a vital role in overall forest health. We’ll look for the signs and clues that are indications of older forests and we’ll even take some tree measurements. Bolen Hill Trails is a joint effort of Midcoast Conservancy, Hills to Sea Trail Coalition and the state of Maine. Hills to Sea Trail Coalition volunteers spent months choosing the route, doing stone work, and blazing so as to make this special area of old forest along the Sheepscot River’s headwaters accessible to the public. A huge thank you to all who helped make Bolen Hill Trails a reality.

Join Midcoast Conservancy Advisory Board member, Buck O’Herin, and Hills to Sea Coalition member, Bob Kohl, for this moderately strenuous 4-mile hike. Buck is a former Maine Guide and environmental educator who has organized and led wilderness trips for friends and clients for more than 40 years. Bob is a former board member of both the Liberty Lake Association and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance. He has been involved with the Hills to Sea Trail Coalition since 2013 and is the current steering chair for the group. Bob was one of the key people responsible for creation of the new Bolen Hill Trail network.

Questions? Please reach out to Zoe Thomas, zoe@midcoastconservancy.org.

We appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note, a day use fee of $5 for adults, $1 for kids, free for folks 65 and older is required by the state park for use of this trail network because a significant portion of the trail is in Lake St. George State Park.

This event will take place rain or shine.

Refund Policy.

Get outside and meet new people at these Welcoming Walkabouts gear toward LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies. Each walk will be led by Sarah Masters, in collaboration with Midcoast Conservancy and Georges River Land Trust on a variety of trails throughout the summer. Treks will include a short hike with time to foster community connections with each other and with nature. This new collaboration is being forged to help create an intentional, safe, and accessible outdoor experience for all community members. 

Children and dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs leashed and remove their waste. If you take photos at the event, please make sure you have permission from others.

All preserves, events, and programs managed by Midcoast Conservancy or Georges River Land Trust are open to everyone. 

Sarah Masters is a local journalist covering regional arts programming. She started The Washington Grunge, a rural community for LGBTQIA+ folks and families, to provide an inclusive and affirming space in her home region. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Sign up for Welcoming Walkabouts hosted by Georges River Land Trust on June 20 or July 19 here.

Get outside and meet new people at these Welcoming Walkabouts gear toward LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies. Each walk will be led by Sarah Masters, in collaboration with Midcoast Conservancy and Georges River Land Trust on a variety of trails throughout the summer. Treks will include a short hike with time to foster community connections with each other and with nature. This new collaboration is being forged to help create an intentional, safe, and accessible outdoor experience for all community members. 

Children and dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs leashed and remove their waste. If you take photos at the event, please make sure you have permission from others.

All preserves, events, and programs managed by Midcoast Conservancy or Georges River Land Trust are open to everyone. 

Sarah Masters is a local journalist covering regional arts programming. She started The Washington Grunge, a rural community for LGBTQIA+ folks and families, to provide an inclusive and affirming space in her home region. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Maine Outdoor Yoga and Midcoast Conservancy are thrilled to bring Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga back to Little Dyer Pond at Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley. This class caters to participants of all skill levels, particularly beginners, and focuses on fostering a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere.

The group will meet at the parking lot and hike 1.4-miles to Little Dyer Pond where participants will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, including practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable footwear for hiking, bring drinking water, and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. We will supply the Stand-Up Paddleboard.

No experience is needed and there is no judgment passed.

Sarah Plummer has been teaching yoga and group exercise in the Midcoast region for 30 years. She believes in sharing her passion for yoga amidst the breathtaking beauty of Maine’s landscape and is dedicated to helping people experience the transformative power of yoga in nature.

If you have questions please reach out to Sarah Plummer at sarah@maineoutdooryoga.com. 

Join us at Griggs Preserve for this Wednesday Wander.

You don’t have to be an artist to create your own nature journal. Sketching and writing about what you encounter can help you slow down, get curious, and truly observe what you encounter in the natural world. Join us for a nature journaling walk at Griggs Preserve. We’ll look at examples of nature journals, walk the trails to enjoy the wonders the preserve has to offer, and make many stops along the way to settle, see, and sketch.  

Bring your own journal or notebook and writing implements if you prefer. A variety of writing and drawing implements and paper will be available to experiment with, as well.

Laurie is a Maine Master Naturalist with a special interest in dragonflies, pollinators, amphibians, and keystone species. All of nature is connected and she hopes to help people become part of this connection through experiences in the natural world. She is a volunteer naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club and leads walks for various land trusts, as well as gardening, beekeeping, and hiking in her spare time. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Join us for this opportunity to learn about, and hopefully watch, fireflies with Maine Master Naturalist Laurie Holland.

This program will begin with a 20 minute PowerPoint presentation that delves into the details. We’ll look at which species of fireflies live in Maine, their mating behavior, and lifecycle. Laurie will explain the science behind the magic of their bioluminescent glow. Explore where fireflies and firefly larva are likely to be found. And cover threats to their survival, conservation efforts, and how to welcome fireflies to your yard.

After the presentation, and a period for questions and curiosities, the group will head outside. Participants will share firefly experiences, talk about how the habitat at Hidden Valley supports them, watch flashes looking for the distinctive "J" pattern of Photinus pyralis (why they're called "big dipper"), and just quietly enjoy the magic. 

Laurie is a Maine Master Naturalist who loves to share her curiosity about the natural world with others. Born and raised in Maine, she developed a deep love and reverence for nature as a child exploring the forest behind her house. Coursework in biology combined with literature gave her an appreciation for the writings and art of naturalists, which she often incorporates into her presentations. She has a special interest in dragonflies, pollinators, amphibians, and keystone species like beavers. All of nature is connected and she hopes to help people become part of this connection through experiences in the natural world. She volunteers as an on-site naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club's lodges in Greenville, Maine, and leads walks for various land trusts, as well as gardening, beekeeping, and hiking in her spare time.  

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Get outside and meet new people at these Welcoming Walkabouts gear toward LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies. Each walk will be led by Sarah Masters, in collaboration with Midcoast Conservancy and Georges River Land Trust on a variety of trails throughout the summer. Treks will include a short hike with time to foster community connections with each other and with nature. This new collaboration is being forged to help create an intentional, safe, and accessible outdoor experience for all community members. 

Children and dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs leashed and remove their waste. If you take photos at the event, please make sure you have permission from others.

All preserves, events, and programs managed by Midcoast Conservancy or Georges River Land Trust are open to everyone. 

Sarah Masters is a local journalist covering regional arts programming. She started The Washington Grunge, a rural community for LGBTQIA+ folks and families, to provide an inclusive and affirming space in her home region. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Sign up for Welcoming Walkabouts hosted by Georges River Land Trust on June 20 or July 19 here.

Join Midcoast Conservancy’s Nature Based Program Manager, Zoe Thomas, for an engaging program on animal adaptations. Children will get to examine replica skulls to discover how their teeth determine their diet. Feel actual animal pelts to learn about different furs and winter warmth. And look at plaster casts of animal tracks while learning how different species walk through the woods. This program will be hands-on, engaging and active. Come learn about the survival strategies of animals in Maine and what makes each species unique!

This is a partner program between the Whitefield Library and Midcoast Conservancy. If you have questions please reach out to Zoe Thomas, zoe@midcoastconservancy.org  

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All ages are welcome but the content will be targeted at elementary aged kids.

Join master book binding craftsman Celine Marie Lombardi for a morning of journal making.

These unique journals will be designed for use in the field collecting native seeds with space to record your finds. Participants will cut, fold, and sew their journals with professional quality materials under the helpful guidance of Celine. Once complete these books will be ready for a summer of seed collecting and botanical observations.

No prior skills required, just a desire to be creative and learn a few book binding techniques. Walk away with a finished (or nearly done) book you can cherish and fill. 

Program Fee: $30.00 per person to cover materials and support our continued public programming.
Participants must be 13 or older and should be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Get outside and meet new people at these Welcoming Walkabouts gear toward LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies. Each walk will be led by Sarah Masters, in collaboration with Midcoast Conservancy and Georges River Land Trust on a variety of trails throughout the summer. Treks will include a short hike with time to foster community connections with each other and with nature. This new collaboration is being forged to help create an intentional, safe, and accessible outdoor experience for all community members. 

Children and dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs leashed and remove their waste. If you take photos at the event, please make sure you have permission from others.

All preserves, events, and programs managed by Midcoast Conservancy or Georges River Land Trust are open to everyone. 

Sarah Masters is a local journalist covering regional arts programming. She started The Washington Grunge, a rural community for LGBTQIA+ folks and families, to provide an inclusive and affirming space in her home region. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Maine Outdoor Yoga and Midcoast Conservancy are thrilled to bring Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga back to Little Dyer Pond at Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley. This class caters to participants of all skill levels, particularly beginners, and focuses on fostering a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere.

The group will meet at the parking lot and hike 1.4-miles to Little Dyer Pond where participants will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, including practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable footwear for hiking, bring drinking water, and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. We will supply the Stand-Up Paddleboard.

No experience is needed and there is no judgment passed.

Sarah Plummer has been teaching yoga and group exercise in the Midcoast region for 30 years. She believes in sharing her passion for yoga amidst the breathtaking beauty of Maine’s landscape and is dedicated to helping people experience the transformative power of yoga in nature.

If you have questions please reach out to Sarah Plummer at sarah@maineoutdooryoga.com. 

Join us at Maguire Preserve for a walk and talk about dragonflies. As we walk along and search for these beautiful soaring insects, we will talk about which species are common in Maine, mating and lifecycle, what they eat and how to tell a dragonfly from a damselfly. Laurie will share dragonfly myths and their symbolism in Indigenous and other cultures. We'll practice identifying the dragonflies we see, observe their behavior, and possibly get some photos. At the end of the program participants will be given handouts with dragonfly resources for those that want to deepen their knowledge at home. Bring your questions and curiosities along with sturdy walking shoes, water, and bug protection.

Laurie is a Maine Master Naturalist with a special interest in dragonflies, pollinators, amphibians, and keystone species. All of nature is connected and she hopes to help people become part of this connection through experiences in the natural world. She is a volunteer naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club and leads walks for various land trusts, as well as gardening, beekeeping, and hiking in her spare time.   

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Join Midcoast Conservancy for the first in a series of events for our 10th Anniversary Celebration! This festive evening celebrates ten years of conserving and caring for the lands and waters of midcoast Maine.

Set at the Bezon Barn at Hidden Valley, this special gathering brings together supporters, partners, and friends for an evening of connection and celebration.

Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beverages, live music, and more, as we reflect on what we’ve accomplished together—and look ahead to what’s next. This milestone event is a chance to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the collective impact of a community that has helped protect more than 16,000 acres, care for miles of trails, and steward the rivers, lakes, and landscapes that define the midcoast.

Catering for the evening will be provided by Maine Pine Catering, whose commitment to supporting Maine farms and businesses reflects values we share. All proceeds are reinvested in their nonprofit’s mission to support the health, wellness, and community engagement of older and disabled adults, including Meals on Wheels throughout our service area.

Note: The Bezon Barn is located approximately 1/3 of a mile from the main parking area. Accessible parking options are available upon request.

Ticket registration available below.

Refund Policy.

Join Midcoast Conservancy for the second in a series of events for our 10th Anniversary Celebration! This special gathering brings our community together our Annual Meeting paired with a relaxed Member & Volunteer Appreciation event.

This afternoon is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, share updates on our work across the midcoast, and celebrate the many volunteers, members, and supporters who make it all possible.

The program will include our State of the Midcoast Annual Meeting, volunteer appreciation awards, and a guest speaker, followed by time to connect and enjoy the landscape of Hidden Valley Nature Center.

A potluck lunch will be part of the gathering. Guests are warmly invited to bring a dish to share if they would like—homemade or store-bought, all contributions are welcome but not required.

Following the program, guests are encouraged to stay and explore—whether by joining a guided trail walk or simply spending time in this special place your support helps protect.

Note: The Bezon Barn is located approximately 1/3 of a mile from the main parking area. Accessible parking options are available upon request.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Join us for a walk in Montville where Midcoast Conservancy protects 1700 acres of contiguous land in the Sheepscot headwaters.

We’ll walk the Bog Brook Trail via the Eric Bruun Trail. This 2.7-mile hike goes through some of the area’s impressive mature forest including a stand of 200-300 years old hemlock trees. Most of these conserved lands are protected as forever wild and play a vital role in forest health. We’ll talk about this as well as the importance of older forests.

Join former Midcoast Conservancy Board President, Buck O’Herin, for this moderately challenging hike. Meet at the Whitten Hill trailhead on the Halldale Rd.

This event will take place rain or shine.

About Buck:

Buck is a former Maine Guide who has organized and led wilderness trips for friends and clients for more than 40 years. He was an environmental educator and for 7 years participated in and led semester-long field study courses for college students.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Join Maine Master Naturalist and Midcoast Conservancy board member Susan Cottle for an exploration of the varied natural communities at Burkett Mills Preserve.

Hike this lovely preserve at a slow pace that allows the group to take in the changing environments. From a wet lowland bog that supports moisture loving mosses to pitch pine stands that are happy with dry conditions, this preserve offers ever varying landscapes to be discovered along the trail.

Learn how these different environs create varied natural communities of wildlife and plant diversity. Come with your curiosity and let the surroundings prompt new questions and discussions. 

Although we will hike at a slow pace, be aware that there is moderately difficult terrain along this trail. Come prepared in sturdy hiking shoes and bring bug protection, water and snacks. Please note, the road to Burkett Mills is narrow and dirt with some potholes. 

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Let the magic of the forest transform us into animals, trees and plants through mask making, storytelling and theatre.

Listen to ancient tales narrated by Midcoast Conservancy’s Nature Based Program Manager, Zoe Thomas, and acted out by willing participants. Gather natural materials to weave into a nature spirit mask that can change the wearer into a different being. Help turn these newly formed creatures into a story of our own and perform it among the trees.  

Whether you love theatre or are too shy to speak, this program will be a delight for everyone. Participate as much or little as your heart desires, be reserved or flamboyant in your mask making, and enjoy an afternoon spent being creative among the trees. Kids can feel free to bring a costume piece or prop with them if they are so moved.

Parents are welcome to join in the fun or leave the children and head out for a hike sans kids, but they should return in time to see the final “performance”. 

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Midcoast Conservancy is thrilled to once again team up with Sarah Plummer of Maine Outdoor Yoga to offer a free beginner Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga class on Little Dyer Pond, situated at Hidden Valley Nature Center.

This class caters to participants of all skill levels, particularly beginners, and focuses on fostering a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere.

Participants will hike 1.4-miles to Little Dyer Pond, where they will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, for the special experience of practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable shoes, bring water and wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet. Midcoast Conservancy  will provide the Stand Up Paddleboard. 

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Buck Moon. Discover a new way of being outside, when sounds become more pronounced and sight takes a backseat to our other senses.

Hike the 1 mile to the pond and our canoes. With a little luck, the full moon will be rising on the far shore as we paddle along the shore to the North end of Little Dyer Pond.

The group will take moments of silence to listen for owls, loons and beaver tail slaps, chat as we paddle, and revel in the brightness of earth's closest celestial friend.

Make sure you are wearing water-proof or quick-dry clothing; it’s always a good idea to bring layers (a windbreaker or fleece are great options). Try to avoid both cotton and denim as they do not keep you warm once wet and do not dry quickly. Make sure you have sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and bring your own water bottle. We should be on the water no longer than an hour and a half, and land at the same location we launched from.

All equipment is provided. Be sure to bring bug repellent and a headlamp. This program is likely to run at least 2.5 hours.

All are welcome! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Rain date: July 30

This is a free program, but space is limited and registration is required.

Refund Policy.

Join Midcoast Conservancy’s Community Engagement Manager, Zoe Thomas to hike, play, and learn at Whitefield Salmon Preserve. Enjoy a story book read in the wild followed by a search for signs of animals large and small. Turn over logs looking for salamanders and insects. Identify trees while seeking out porcupine chews, woodpecker holes, and squirrel nests. Signs of animals in the woods are everywhere, join us as we learn to find them.   

Make sure to wear closed-toed hiking shoes and dress in your best camo for a hiding game in the woods. Bring water and snacks for a fun filled afternoon.

This is a collaborative program between the Whitefield Library and Midcoast Conservancy. If you have questions please reach out to Zoe Thomas, zoe@midcoastconservancy.org

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.
All ages are welcome but the content will be targeted at elementary aged kids.

Registration Link Coming Soon

Get outside and meet new people at these Welcoming Walkabouts gear toward LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies. Each walk will be led by Sarah Masters, in collaboration with Midcoast Conservancy and Georges River Land Trust on a variety of trails throughout the summer. Treks will include a short hike with time to foster community connections with each other and with nature. This new collaboration is being forged to help create an intentional, safe, and accessible outdoor experience for all community members. 

Children and dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs leashed and remove their waste. If you take photos at the event, please make sure you have permission from others.

All preserves, events, and programs managed by Midcoast Conservancy or Georges River Land Trust are open to everyone. 

Sarah Masters is a local journalist covering regional arts programming. She started The Washington Grunge, a rural community for LGBTQIA+ folks and families, to provide an inclusive and affirming space in her home region. 

All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While this is a free event, we appreciate your registration which is essential for our planning.

Sign up for Welcoming Walkabouts hosted by Georges River Land Trust on June 20 or July 19 here.

Maine Outdoor Yoga and Midcoast Conservancy are thrilled to bring Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga back to Little Dyer Pond at Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley. This class caters to participants of all skill levels, particularly beginners, and focuses on fostering a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere.

The group will meet at the parking lot and hike 1.4-miles to Little Dyer Pond where participants will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, including practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable footwear for hiking, bring drinking water, and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. We will supply the Stand-Up Paddleboard.

No experience is needed and there is no judgment passed.

Sarah Plummer has been teaching yoga and group exercise in the Midcoast region for 30 years. She believes in sharing her passion for yoga amidst the breathtaking beauty of Maine’s landscape and is dedicated to helping people experience the transformative power of yoga in nature.

If you have questions please reach out to Sarah Plummer at sarah@maineoutdooryoga.com.