Vernal pools sit silent, hidden in the woods, dry for half the year, disguised as forest floor, until early spring when they fill with melting snow and the rains of March. As spring warms up, these seasonal pools suddenly team with life as frogs and salamanders return to lay their eggs. The woods come alive with sounds of frogs, from deafening peeps and to deep ribitts. By late April dozens of egg masses can be seen attached to logs, or free floating just below the surface. Wood frogs, spring peepers, treefrogs, green frogs, and bullfrogs hide in the mud or peek their camouflage heads above the surface. Spotted and blue-spotted salamanders indicate vernal pools are healthy habitats and newts can be found in the duff around the pools.  In the healthiest vernal pools tiny fresh water fairy shrimp hatch from their wintered over eggs to briefly live and reproduce.  

With so much to learn about vernal pools we are offering two programs this spring. In this second program we will hike to at least two different major vernal pools at Hidden Valley. Hopefully the group will see and learn to identify salamander and frog egg masses, encounter a few species of frogs, and check under logs and leaves for newts.  Learn more about the first program, offered March 29 here.

We invite people of all ages to join Maine Master Naturalists Bonnie Potter for one or both of these fascinating vernal pool programs. 

For questions, please reach out to Zoe Thomas at zoe@midcoastconservancy.org. 

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 Midcoast Conservancy and the Sheepscot Knotweed Project for a fun filled day of hands on habitat restoration. As part of our ongoing efforts to restore native floodplain habitat along the Sheepscot River, we will be planting native seedlings along the shoreline. These native plantings will help stabilize the stream bank allowing the river’s floodplain to better weather seasonal events, storms, and regular flooding. As these seedlings grow, they will also provide habitat for animals and help create a permanent riparian buffer along the river.  

There are two planting sessions:
9 AM-12 PM and 1-3PM.
You can sign up to attend one or both sessions, and join us for a BYO picnic lunch from 12-1 PM. 

Come prepared to work, learn, laugh, and get muddy. We recommend bringing work gloves, a shovel (labeled with your name), waterproof boots, bug protection, snacks, and plenty of water. We will have extra shovels and work gloves to share if needed. If you want to stay for the picnic, please bring a bagged lunch.

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

The rain date for this event is Sunday May 3rd. 

To register, emailsheepscotknotweedproject@gmail.comwith which session you would like to attend.
If you have any questions, reach out to Isobel Curtis at isobel@midcoastconservancy.org or 207-389-5163.

This is a joint program between Midcoast Conservancy and the Sheepscot Knotweed Project.

Refund Policy.

Calling all real estate professionals, join us to gain an understanding of conservation easements!

The goal of this workshop is to equip real estate professionals in midcoast Maine with a clear, practical understanding of how conservation easements work and the role of land trusts in this process.

Gain the information needed to accurately advise clients, both sellers considering easements and buyers interested in conserved properties, while supporting long-term land conservation in the region.

***PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE MAINE REAL ESTATE COMISSION*** This is a continuing education course certified by the Maine Real Estate Commission. Participants will receive three hours of credits. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Space is limited. Please register with Georges River Land Trust.

This is a joint program between Midcoast Conservancy, Georges River Land Trust, and Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. 

Refund Policy.

Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day at Trout Brook Preserve in Alna!

This beloved trail meanders through early successional and hemlock forest along Trout Brook, a beautiful little tributary to the Sheepscot River. If we are lucky, the trout lilies should be in full display as well. 

This trail day will give Trout Brook a spring “tune-up”.  We will focus on lopping back and re-blazing the trail, as well as potentially adding new bog bridges in wet areas if we have enough hands. Come join the fun and help clean up the trail for summer hiking!

No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Please bring sturdy footwear, good work gloves, sun and insect protection, water, and snacks/lunch.

All are welcome but participants must be old enough to safely use tools and be helpful. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions? Please reach out to Isobel Curtis.

This is a free volunteer opportunity, but registration is encouraged.

Join Midcoast Conservancy and the Appalachian Mountain Club of Maine for a morning of trail work at Midcoast Conservancy’s Bass Falls Preserve.

Bass Falls Preserve protects over 4,500 feet of river frontage on the Sheepscot River—it is a beautiful place! We’ll be working primarily on replacing rotted bog bridging in the open field at the start of the trail. As time, number of participants, and interest allow, we may also do some lopping and re-blazing on the wooded stretches of trail down to the river. Whether you’ve loved this trail for years, or never visited it before, don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!

The trail workday will start in the morning, details of starting time and trailhead location will be provided once you register through AMC’s website for the event.

No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Please bring sturdy footwear, good work gloves, sun and insect protection, water, and snacks/lunch.

All are welcome but participants must be old enough to safely use tools and be helpful. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions? Please reach out to Isobel Curtis.

Registration for this program is handled through AMC’s website, link below.

Own a mountain bike and ready to hit the trails this spring? Then join us on this after school mountain bike ride.

Sarah Plummer, local yoga and outdoor adventure instructor from Maine Outdoor Yoga, will lead this group ride along the trails at HVNC. Participants will learn the basics of mountain biking on this fun and challenging beginner to intermediate ride.   

Make sure your bike is trail ready, tires inflated, brakes in working condition and able to navigate trail riding. Please bring a helmet, wear sneakers and bring water in a well fitted backpack. 

The group will meet at the Welcome Center at 3:30 PM and return before 5:00 PM. Parents are welcome to join the ride if they have their own bike, bike on your own, or enjoy a walk while the kids ride.

This ride will happen rain or shine.

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

Many people are familiar with gilled mushrooms, boletes, and coral fungi, but their flat and overlooked relatives—the crust fungi—are just as common in our forests.

Join mycologist Emma Richter of the Maine Mycological Association for a walk at Whitten Hill Trail focusing on wood-decaying fungi that grow flat against logs and branches, often going unnoticed. Participants will learn how to recognize crust fungi in the field and how to distinguish some of the major forms that occur in Maine forests while exploring the hemlock and bog habitats of the preserve. Learning to notice this hugely diverse group of charismatic species will broaden your understanding of Maine’s fungal biodiversity and the complex processes happening on the forest floor.

Emma Richter is an amateur mycologist based in Liberty and a member of the Maine Mycological Association. She studies the crust fungi of the northeastern United States and shares her work through photography, writing, and public presentations.

For questions, please reach out to Zoe Thomas at zoe@midcoastconservancy.org. 

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.

World Fish Migration Day is a time to celebrate and learn about the amazing life cycles of fish who spend their lives traveling from river to sea and sea to river. Join Midcoast Conservancy, in collaboration with the Department of Marine Resources and Maine Coast Heritage Trust, at Midcoast Conservancy's Palermo Preserve for an evening walk and learn. 

Midcoast Conservancy’s Sheepscot River Watershed Manager, Melissa Cote, and the Department of Marine Resources salmon biologist, Jen Noll, will co-lead the group on a walk along the Sheepscot River. Along the way they will share information on instream habitat, point out sea lamprey redds that may still be visible beneath the water’s surface and maybe see some spawning! Melissa and Jen will discuss the ecological importance of sea-run fish to the terrestrial and riverine ecosystem. They will also point out evidence of anthropogenic activities, such as where rocks were placed to cut off side channels, and the lingering impact to the river from these activities. 

Keep the celebration going after the walk and talk by joining us for live outdoor music at Sheepscot General Store and Farm in Whitefield. Order pizza and bring a lawn blanket to enjoy an evening of music and community. 

The rain date for this event is June 5.

While this is a free event, space is limited and registration is required.
All are welcome! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy.

Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Blue 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: June 1

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

Refund Policy.

Own a mountain bike and ready to hit the trails this spring? Then join us on this after school mountain bike ride.

Sarah Plummer, local yoga and outdoor adventure instructor from Maine Outdoor Yoga, will lead this group ride along the trails at HVNC. Participants will learn the basics of mountain biking on this fun and challenging beginner to intermediate ride.   

Make sure your bike is trail ready, tires inflated, brakes in working condition and able to navigate trail riding. Please bring a helmet, wear sneakers and bring water in a well fitted backpack. 

The group will meet at the Welcome Center at 3:30 PM and return before 5:00 PM. Parents are welcome to join the ride if they have their own bike, bike on your own, or enjoy a walk while the kids ride.

This ride will happen rain or shine.

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.

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.

Receive an adventure bingo card to plan your own day’s outing in the Damariscotta Lake Watershed.

Check off bingo squares as you accomplish simple tasks on Damariscotta Lake, in the surrounding towns, and on nearby preserves.

Paddle or motor out to Spectacle Island, listen for loons, submerge in the lake, find a turtle, catch a fish, Hike at Davis Stream Preserve or stop for ice cream at Jefferson Scoop. You choose which squares to aim for and when you complete a line of squares, take a photo of the card! Email your filled in bingo card to Patricia Nease, our Damariscotta Lake Watershed Manager, to be entered in the bingo card raffle to win a prize. Choose your own adventure: fill in a whole bingo card or just a line of 5 activities!

Everyone registered will receive an emailed bingo card which you can print and fill out as you accomplish tasks on July 26. We will also have bingo cards available at our Waldoboro Office as of July 1, (25 Friendship Road, Waldoboro) and at our 10th Anniversary Celebration events on Friday July 24 and 25. So grab the family or your favorite adventurous friends for a few hours of fun in the Damariscotta Lake Watershed.        

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.