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.

Join us for an evening of connection, with guest speaker Keith Carson as he shares his unique perspective on how to effectively communicate the reality of climate change.

The evening’s music will be performed by Rockville - a band that offers original music with a unique blend of folk, country, blues, and reggae!

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.

Registration for this event has ended.

Questions? Please reach out to us at info@midcoastconservancy.org.

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.

The Guest Speaker at this event will be Paul Christman! Paul is a Marine Scientist III with the Maine Department of Marine Resources who has spent the past 27 years helping lead Atlantic salmon recovery efforts in Maine, including innovative work on the Sheepscot River. We can’t wait to hear what he’ll share with us!

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.

A Collaborative Day with Waterstruck Wellness.

Midcoast Conservancy and Waterstruck Wellness have collaborated to bring you a day of work and wellness, a day to volunteer your time and energy at Hidden Valley before heading to Waterstruck to sauna, plunge, rest and repeat. In the morning we will get our hands dirty with a variety of projects from trail work to woodchip raking and drainage improvement. Projects will wrap up at 12pm giving everyone time to enjoy the lunch they brought or go out to lunch before heading to Waterstruck Wellness to relax with a sauna experience starting at 1pm.  

Bring work gloves, sturdy footwear, plenty of water and a positive attitude for the morning of volunteering at Hidden Valley. Meet at 9am at the Welcome Center before heading out on trails to get work done. Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic at the end of the morning or plan to grab lunch out when the work ends at 12pm. The group will reconvene at Waterstruck Wellness, 600 River Rd, Newcastle, ME, at 1pm to enjoy a sauna, cold plunge, and relaxation.   

Waterstuck Wellness has generously offered to collaborate for this day of work and wellness by offering their sauna and cold plunge experience by donation to all work day participants. These donations will then be given back to Midcoast Conservancy to support all our conservation efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to give back twice!

Pricing: There are many ways to give, whether with your time and energy or through a monetary donation. This day provides an opportunity for both. Offer a monetary donation when you register and enjoy a sauna experience at Waterstruck Wellness after a morning of volunteering with Midcoast Conservancy at our Hidden Valley. Learn more about Waterstruck Wellness.

This is an 18+ event.

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.

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 us for this year’s State of the Lake!

State of the Lake offers an opportunity for attendees to hear about the important work Midcoast Conservancy is doing in the Damariscotta Lake Watershed. Learn about our Public Health Monitoring program which monitors bacteria levels in Damariscotta Lake so the public knows the health of the water they are swimming in. Hear how our Courtesy Boat Inspectors are helping prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants while helping to spread the word about how boaters can help. Understand the amazing efforts of our invasive plant patrol volunteers who survey sections of the lake in August in search of any invasive aquatic plants, and become informed about  Midcoast Conservancy’s water quality monitoring work on Damariscotta Lake.   

This year’s guest speaker will be Sgt. Justin Fowlie, the regional Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) officer who oversees the Damariscotta-Midcoast region. He will present a program on Maine’s regulations pertaining to recreation on the lake, recent changes in the laws, enforcement policies and procedures, as well as IF&W’s water quality and invasive plant initiatives. Time will be left for a Q&A period with Sgt. Fowlie. 

Enjoy light refreshments catered by Kieve-Wavus, complimentary beverages, a lovely setting and community atmosphere.

This event is free and open to the public, but we ask that you please register below.

Already taken Hunter Ed? This course will get you certified in archery hunting, building off of the standards you've already completed.

Midcoast Conservancy and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife have collaborated to bring you this archery hunting course. This course builds on the standards that you have already met with hunter education, and focuses on bow and crossbow use specifically. The Addendum course is convenient and a great way to become certified in archery hunting with a half day class. You will then be eligible to purchase your archery hunting license and hunt with a bow or crossbow in Maine. Available to anyone 10 and over that has a valid hunter education certificate.

At the addendum class students must show proof of having previously completed a hunter safety course. We should have records and can verify after registration those who have taken the hunter safety course in Maine. Those taken from another state will need to show proof of completion. The student will also need to demonstrate to the instructor that they can safely handle a bow, and must participate in workshop and session activities, and pass a test with a score of at least 70%.

Course Outline

• Intro to Bowhunting/ Crossbow hunting

• Wildlife Conservation

• Safe and Responsible Bow hunting

• Know your Bow and Arrow

• Know your Crossbow

• Preparation Before the Hunt

• Methods of Bowhunting

• Shot Placement and Recovery

• Final review and test

Once complete, you will be eligible to purchase your Maine Archery Hunting License and begin your journey of hunting with a bow or crossbow.

This is a 10 year old and up program. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Refund Policy.

Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full 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.

In the case of inclement weather which prevents us from running the paddle on the day listed, you will be notified by noon that day and the paddle will be held on the following evening.

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

Refund Policy.

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. 

If you are new to hunting, or just curious about it, this course is an excellent way to learn more. 

Midcoast Conservancy and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, have collaborated to offer this introduction to hunting. Hunting is a unique way to spend time outdoors in a meaningful and authentic way. For many it is a tradition, passed down by earlier generations, but for some it may be unfamiliar.  Hunting is a management tool, and a way to provide wild protein for you and your family.  If you are new to hunting, or just curious about it, this course is intended to help you learn more, figure out how to get started, and identify next steps in your journey to becoming a hunter.

In this workshop you will learn:

• Maine hunting laws and regulations: Safety course requirements, licenses, seasons, etc.

• Reasons to hunt: Wildlife management, sustainable harvest, culture

• Hunting equipment options: Firearm, archery

• Common target species: Deer, bear, moose, turkey, waterfowl, etc.

• Developing sound hunting judgment: Safe, legal, ethical

• Ways to get started: Mentors, shooting ranges, activity-specific options

• Where to hunt: Access, public lands

This workshop will be a blend of group instruction and hands-on demonstration led by Registered Maine Guide and experienced hunter, Carmen Bombeke. This is a great class for the new or aspiring hunters.

All supplies are provided, wear pants and bring water and a snack.

This is a 10 year old and up program. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Refund Policy.

Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full 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.

In the case of inclement weather which prevents us from running the paddle on the day listed, you will be notified by noon that day and the paddle will be held on the following evening.

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

Refund Policy.

Enjoy a presentation on the history, building techniques, stylistic development and aesthetics of stone walls with the author of The Granite Kiss, Kevin Gardner.

During this collaborative program, organized by Midcoast Conservancy, Lincoln County Historical Society, and Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Kevin Gardner, author of The Granite Kiss, will delve into how and why New England came to acquire its thousands of miles of stone walls. Participants will learn the ways in which walls and other dry stone structures were built, how their styles emerged and changed over time, and their significance to the famous New England landscape. Kevin will touch on the differences in approach between historical and contemporary wall-builders and offer restoration tips and techniques, as well as information about design, acquisition of materials, preservation, and analysis. 

Throughout the presentation Kevin will occupy himself building a miniature wall or walls on a tabletop, using tiny stones from a five-gallon bucket. Copies of his book, The Granite Kiss, will be available for sale, as well as his most recent book, Stone Building – How To Make New England Style Walls and Other Structures The Old Way. There will be plenty of time for questions during which participants are encouraged to bring up specific problems or projects on their own properties.

After the presentation enjoy a walk on the Pownalborough Courthouse Trails. These lovely trails follow massive and beautiful historic stone walls, including a 19th century cemetery wall on the property, allowing participants to see some fine examples of exactly what Kevin talks about.    

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

In the case of inclement weather which prevents us from running the paddle on the day listed, you will be notified by noon that day and the paddle will be held on the following evening.

Program Fee: $10/pp. Registration is required.

Refund Policy.