Events and Programs
Naturalist Workshop Series-Fields, Forests, and Ferns
Join Maine Master Naturalists Samaa Abdurraqib and Shana Stewart Deeds for an informative nature walk led by knowledgeable naturalists but guided by the curiosity and questions of participants.
The group will follow the White and Red trails, hiking about 1.5 miles along fields, through mixed deciduous and towering hemlock forests, and down to the Sheepscot River. Turning inward at the river we will find our own special spots to journal, writing or drawing what inspires us along this picturesque section of woods and water. Please bring your own journaling supplies.
Please meet at the Bass Falls Preserve parking lot kiosk at 10:00AM and prepare to be out until just before noon. We suggest wearing sturdy hiking shoes and bringing water, bug spray, binoculars and of course your journal. Mosquitos, deer flies and ticks can be annoying so consider wearing long pants.
This program will take place rain or shine so be prepared for any weather conditions.
Full Moon Paddle
Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Sturgeon 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 out into the still, open, 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.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Rain date: August 10
This is a free program, but registration is required.
Registration
Stand-up paddleboard yoga
Maine Outdoor Yoga and Midcoast Conservancy are thrilled to introduce a new Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) class at 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.
Class Information:
Following a 1.5-mile hike to Little Dyer Pond, participants will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, including practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable footwear, bring water, and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. Midcoast Conservancy will supply the Stand-Up Paddleboard.
Volunteer Trail Day at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson!
The trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center run the gamut from narrow footpaths that wind along cliff faces to major arteries that allow us to drive our ranger to cabins and campsites. None of these would remain open if not for volunteers like you!
Join us for a morning on the trails clearing, cutting back, building bog bridges or digging out drainage ditches. Each volunteer day gives us a chance to maintain and improve our expansive trail network at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Bring work gloves, study shoes, water and a snack. We will provide the tools and expertise!
No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
This is a free volunteer opportunity, but registration is encouraged.
Full Moon Paddle
Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Corn 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.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Rain date: September 7
This is a free program, but registration is required.
Volunteer Trail Day at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson!
The trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center run the gamut from narrow footpaths that wind along cliff faces to major arteries that allow us to drive our ranger to cabins and campsites. None of these would remain open if not for volunteers like you!
Join us for a morning on the trails clearing, cutting back, building bog bridges or digging out drainage ditches. Each volunteer day gives us a chance to maintain and improve our expansive trail network at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Bring work gloves, study shoes, water and a snack. We will provide the tools and expertise!
No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
This is a free volunteer opportunity, but registration is encouraged.
Naturalist Workshop Series
Join us for ecology exploration at one of Midcoast Conservancy’s 25 diverse preserves.
Search for animal tracks in the snow, learn how Maine mammals move, and discover their hidden habitats. Venture to the pond to check out a beaver lodge and talk about the amazing adaptations of this busy builder. Bring your binoculars to focus on birds and learn to identify those you spy. Examine mosses and lichens of all kinds on rocks, trees, and the forest floor. Delve into the role mushrooms play in the balance of the forest, how they grow, and what kinds flourish locally. Venture to a vernal pool to explore what lies beneath the surface and the importance of these seasonal wetlands. Find a quiet spot under a special tree to sketch the bark or write the feelings of the forest.
Each workshop will offer a different topic to be explored in depth, led by a naturalist but guided by the interests of the group. Some weeks will be at Hidden Valley Nature Center while other weeks walks will take place at one of Midcoast Conservancy’s 25 diverse preserves.
Volunteer Trail Day at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson!
The trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center run the gamut from narrow footpaths that wind along cliff faces to major arteries that allow us to drive our ranger to cabins and campsites. None of these would remain open if not for volunteers like you!
Join us for a morning on the trails clearing, cutting back, building bog bridges or digging out drainage ditches. Each volunteer day gives us a chance to maintain and improve our expansive trail network at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Bring work gloves, study shoes, water and a snack. We will provide the tools and expertise!
No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
This is a free volunteer opportunity, but registration is encouraged.
COASTAL RESILIENCY FOR HOMEOWNERS - PRESENTATION AND CONVERSATION
Join Midcoast Conservancy’s Stewardship Intern, Kassidy Krejmas, for a presentation and conversation for coastal home and business owners on coastal resiliency.
As sea levels rise and coastal flooding becomes more prevalent, coastal property owners and their belongings have been left vulnerable and severely impacted. You may be left with questions like:
How can I make my home more resilient in times of flooding?
What are my flood proofing options?
Are there affordable floodproofing options?
Are there nature-based solutions when it comes to flooding?
And more.
During this program, Kassidy will answer these questions, and others you may have. Join us to talk about your options and gain some valuable online resources that will help you stay up to date on projected sea level rise and an interactive model how make your property more resilient.
For more information, email kassidy@midcoastconservancy.org.
Space is limited, please register below for this FREE event.
Volunteer Trail Day at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson!
The trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center run the gamut from narrow footpaths that wind along cliff faces to major arteries that allow us to drive our ranger to cabins and campsites. None of these would remain open if not for volunteers like you!
Join us to build a set of bench stairs from Crossbill trail down to the Kettle Bog.
No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Tools will be provided. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
Space is limited and registration for this event is required.
Stand-up paddleboard yoga
Maine Outdoor Yoga and Midcoast Conservancy are thrilled to introduce a new Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) class at 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.
Class Information:
Following a 1.5-mile hike to Little Dyer Pond, participants will be given some preliminary guidance before venturing onto the water with their boards, including practicing yoga afloat. Please wear comfortable footwear, bring water, and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. Maine Outdoor Yoga will supply the Stand-Up Paddleboard.
Full Moon Paddle
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 out into the still, open, 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.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
This program is likely to run at least 2.5 hours.
Rain date: July 11
This is a free program, but registration is required.
Registration
Naturalist Workshop Series - Understanding Trees
Join naturalist Susan Cottle for a walk and learn workshop on trees at West Branch Preserve in Somerville!
Gain a better understanding of the integral role trees play in the ecology of a forest. Learn to identify coniferous and deciduous varieties by their leaf and needle structures, branching forms, and unique bark. Spend the morning immersed in the forest gaining new perspective on the trees we are surrounded by in Maine.
West Branch Preserve includes steeply sloping terrain as well as flat and wide trails along the West Branch Stream where cascading pools of water flow through a hemlock-lined ravine to the beaver dams and meadows at the base of Haskell Hill. Protecting this land helps ensure a lengthy section of the West Branch of the Davis Stream remains clean & cool for spawning fish and helps keep the waters of Damariscotta Lake cleaner.
This is an all-ages event— interested children are welcome with adult supervision.
Volunteer Trail Day at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer trail work day Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson!
The trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center run the gamut from narrow footpaths that wind along cliff faces to major arteries that allow us to drive our ranger to cabins and campsites. None of these would remain open if not for volunteers like you!
Join us for a morning of trail work clearing out water bars, raking away leaves so water can drain, and cutting back overgrowth on some of our major trails. N
No experience is required, just an interest in being outside with like-minded people giving back to a public trail. Tools will be provided. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
Space is limited and registration for this event is required.
Naturalist Workshop Series- Solstice Paddle
Celebrate summer solstice with a paddle on Little Dyer Pond at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Walk the 1.4 miles down to the pond, stopping to check out the beaver dam and lodge on Haybale Pond. At the waterfront, learn some basic canoe skills before launching into the pond. As a group we will paddle around Little Dyer Pond checking out beaver works, animal habitats and no name island. What better way to celebrate the longest day of the year then on the water!
All experience levels and ages are welcome. Please wear comfortable hiking shoes for the walk to the pond and bring sandals or water shoes that you don’t mind getting wet for the paddle. Be prepared for all weather, bugs and sun. If you own a personal floatation devise please bring it, as well as water and snacks.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
Volunteer firewood Production Day
Join Midcoast Conservancy for a volunteer firewood production day at Hidden Valley Nature Center!
Volunteers like you make normal operations at Hidden Valley Nature Center possible. Join us for a day of splitting, hauling, and stacking firewood for the Bezon Barn so school students and visitors can be warm next winter. You will learn to operate the wood splitter, fill the trailer, and stack wood. Bring gloves, sturdy closed-toed work shoes, bug spray, water, and food. Feel free to join us for all or part of the day.
No experience is required, and all hands are welcome! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email zoe@midcoastconservancy.org with questions.
Space is limited and registration for this event is required.
Full Moon Paddle
Feel the glow!
Meet your leaders at the Welcome Center 10 minutes before the official start time so that we can start walking promptly on schedule. Hike the 1 mile to the pond and our canoes. With a little luck, the full moon will be rising on the far shore and we’ll paddle the pond, exploring the wetlands, beaver lodges, and shoreline looking for beaver and otter activity, and listening for loons and owls calling.
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 launch from.
All equipment is provided.
Be sure to bring bug repellent and a headlamp.
Registration is required. This program is likely to run at least 2.5 hours.
Rain date: June 12
Registration
Naturalist Workshop Series - Bog Exploration
Join us for a Bog Exploration at Hidden Valley Nature Center!
Join us for this exploration of Hidden Valley Nature Center’s kettle bog. Formed by the glaciers retreating from Maine, this unique feature on the landscape is home to a diversity of plants and animals including carnivorous plants, birds of prey, and white tailed deer. Learn about this special ecosystem, and what makes this wetland unique and sensitive!
Please meet outside at the Welcome Center promptly at 10:00 a.m. Participants should bring a water bottle, snack if you choose, insect protection, and sturdy walking shoes or boots (depending on recent weather, you might want footwear for muddy trails to the bog.)
And don’t forget to bring your own curiosity and nature detective skills!
afterschool mountain bike ride
Take to the trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center on this afterschool 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.
Please wear sneakers and bring water in a well-fitting backpack. We will provide you with a mountain bike and helmet unless you prefer to ride your own bike and/or bring your own helmet. The group will meet at the Welcome Center at 3 pm and return to the Welcome Center before 4:30 pm. Parents are welcome to check out a bike to ride independently, hike the trails, or leave and return after the program. This program will run rain or shine.
climate change education: a watershed approach
We invite elementary through high school teachers from across Maine to join us for this three-day climate change focused workshop, sponsored by a grant from the Maine Department of Education. Through hands-on science activities, guest presenters, and land and water exploration at Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center and surrounding preserves, participants will gain hard skills and knowledge to take back to the classroom. With an emphasis on how to incorporate NGSS compliant Watershed Science activities into your classroom curriculum, this workshop will give teachers the tools they need to develop lesson plans and activities around climate change.
Why participate?
With the lands and waters around us changing in new ways due to the warming climate, knowing how and what to teach that connects students with these issues is vitally important. This workshop is being offered free of charge with grant money available to cover the cost of substitute teachers while participants are away from their classrooms. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for 21 contact hours as well as the opportunity to receive a $500 stipend for developing and implementing curriculum based around what they learn in the workshop. So really the question is, why not participate?!
This program is a partnership of the Maine Department of Education, Sheepscot Valley RSU 12, and Midcoast Conservancy.
REGISTER HERE
afterschool mountain bike ride
Take to the trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center on this afterschool 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. Kids 8-14-years old will learn the basics of mountain biking on this fun and challenging beginner to intermediate ride.
Please wear sneakers and bring water in a well-fitting backpack. We will provide you with a mountain bike and helmet unless you prefer to ride your own bike and/or bring your own helmet. The group will meet at the Welcome Center at 3 pm and return to the Welcome Center before 4:30 pm. Parents are welcome to check out a bike to ride independently, hike the trails, or leave and return after the program. This program will run rain or shine.
Full Moon Paddle
Feel the glow!
Meet your leaders at the Welcome Center 10 minutes before the official start time so that we can start walking promptly on schedule. Hike the 1 mile to the pond and our canoes. With a little luck, the full moon will be rising on the far shore and we’ll paddle the pond, exploring the wetlands, beaver lodges, and shoreline looking for beaver and otter activity, and listening for loons and owls calling.
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 launch from.
All equipment is provided.
Be sure to bring bug repellent and a headlamp.
Registration is required. This program is likely to run at least 2.5 hours.
Rain date: May 13
Registration
Naturalist Workshop Series: vernal pools
Yay! It’s Vernal Pool season!
Of all the interesting ways to observe the advance of spring, vernal pools are one of the most fascinating. A vernal pool is a temporary woodland pond or small body of water, often overlooked, which plays a central role in the life cycle of many amphibians and turtles and the organisms that rely on them. They have important implications and impacts on local wildlife, outdoor recreation, and forestry operations. We invite anyone to come and learn why vernal pools are so important to protecting Maine’s woodlands.
Participants will learn about the species of frog, turtle, and salamander that rely on vernal pools; learn to identify and count egg masses; and learn about the complex dynamics that make vernal pools so fascinating.
This is an all-ages event—children are welcome with adult supervision. During the event, we will walk approximately 1.5 miles on forest trails, pausing to visit a number of vernal pools.
Timber Frame Workshop
Each course is a four-day, hands-on experience, where nine students will have the opportunity to build a complete timber frame and participate in every step of the hands-on process from designing and cutting timbers to raising the finished structure while working with two expert instructors.
Framing with large dimensional timbers is a traditional method of erecting buildings of any size from houses to barns. Adding to the fun we make use of historic mortis and tenon joinery, a method that predates modern fasteners like bolts and nails. These buildings are both rugged and beautiful. Timber frame construction can be a satisfying way to make use of harvested trees from personal woodlots to build your own house, barn, or any outbuilding.
Midcoast Conservancy does not provide overnight accommodations as a part of this workshop, but there are rustic cabins and campsites at HVNC available for rent.
Days will begin at 8 AM and end at approximately 4 PM. Additional details will be included with your registration confirmation.
Tuition is $450 for Midcoast Conservancy and MOFGA members and $500 for all others.
Registration is required and capacity is limited to 9 people per session.
Registration
Full Moon Hike at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join us for a full moon hike at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Pink Moon. Discover a new way of being in the woods, when sounds become more pronounced and sight takes a backseat to our other senses. The group will take moments of silence to listen for owls and nocturnal foragers along the trail, chat as we hike and revel in the brightness of earth's closest celestial friend.
Meet at the Welcome Center at HVNC; hikers should wear warm clothes and be prepared for mud. Please bring water and a flashlight or headlamp. Your guide will lead the group on a moderate hike of 2-3 miles along some of the many trails at HVNC. We will be out for 2 hours.
Weather date: April 13
Registration is required and space is limited so sign up today!
Review our refund policy here.
Registration
chainsaw safety
This one-and-a-half day course designed for beginners at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson is for participants who have little or no experience with a chainsaw, though it can also be an effective refresher for more experienced individuals who have developed some bad habits with a saw.
The focus of this course is overwhelmingly on safety: safe posture, safe practices, safe clothing, and safe habits.
The first half day session (Saturday, April 12th 8 a.m. to 1:30) will be under our pavilion as instructors provide some basic information about chainsaws, maintenance, safety clothing, introduce participants to good practices, and provide relevant background material. The second day is intended to be a full day of practice and application (Sunday, April 13th 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
The goal is that each student will leave the course being keenly aware of safe practice and equipment. It is also a goal that each student will have the opportunity to operate a chainsaw in a controlled and supervised setting. Students will practice starting a saw, making straight up-and-down cuts (bucking), bore cuts and cutting small trees. Students’ interests and aptitude always dictate the extent of the course. Some Level I students will practice directional tree felling techniques, if they feel comfortable doing so.
Midcoast Conservancy does not provide overnight accommodations as a part of this workshop, but there are rustic cabins and campsites at HVNC available for rent. Students should come prepared with all the food and water they will need.
We are pleased to partner with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) on our Chainsaw Safety Courses. MOFGA members may also take advantage of discounted pricing.
Naturalist Workshop Series: poetry is for the birds
Birds have long been a source of inspiration to poets around the world. With April marking the beginning of bird migration season in Maine, what better time to explore our feathered friends through poetry of our own? Join us for this nature poetry workshop at Hidden Valley Nature Center. We'll walk the trails at HVNC, looking and listening for birds. Led by Maine Master Naturalist and author Andrea Lani, the group will talk about birds as symbols, metaphors, and poetic subjects in their own right. Participants will gain inspiration from examples of bird poetry and use the ideas and images they’ve gathered to create poems of their own.
Andrea Lani is the author of Uphill Both Ways: Hiking toward Happiness on the Colorado Trail. As a Maine Master Naturalist, she teaches nature writing and nature journaling workshops around Maine. Be sure to dress for the weather, including periods of sitting still outdoors, and consider bringing an insulated pad to sit on.
Naturalist Workshop Series: porcupine meander
Porcupine Meander
Join us for a walk at Bass Falls Preserve to search for early signs of spring and talk about Porcupines. We’ll follow the trail through private fields, into the woods, and down to the Sheepscot River where sits an abandoned fisherman's cabin taken over by porcupines. With luck we’ll find some quills to examine and skat to avoid. These common woodland rodents waddle their way through life, hanging out in trees, nibbling hemlock and relying on their quills to defend themselves against predators.
Depending on what early March looks like, be prepared for snow, mud or ice. Check out Bass Falls Preserve so you know where you are headed and what to expect. Please come prepared for all conditions with warm clothes, water, snacks, and proper footwear. We will be on the trail 1.5 - 2 hours.
Registration
Full Moon Hike at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join us for a full moon hike (or snowshoe, if there is snow on the ground) at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Sap Moon. Discover a new way of being in the woods, when sounds become more pronounced and sight takes a backseat to our other senses. The group will take moments of silence to listen for owls and nocturnal foragers along the trail, chat as we hike and revel in the brightness of earth's closest celestial friend.
Meet at the Welcome Center at HVNC; hikers should wear warm clothes and boots. If there is snow on the ground microspikes or small snowshoes are recommended. Need a pair? Reach out and we can gear you up. Please bring water and a flashlight or headlamp. Your guide will lead the group on a moderate hike of 2-3 miles along some of the many trails at HVNC. We will be out for 2 hours.
Weather date: February 13
Registration is required and space is limited so sign up today!
Review our refund policy here.
Registration
Naturalist Workshop Series: survival to thrivAL
Survival to Thrival - Animals in Winter: A Guided Ski or Snowshoe talk
Join us on skis or snowshoes for this guided trailside talk about animals in winter. Some migrate south to avoid the cold, others curl up for a mostly restful slumber, a few freeze solid only to thaw when the weather warms, and the brave ones we continue to see keep moving and eating right through the coldest months. We’ll meander the trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center talking about beavers, deer, coyotes, wood frogs, birds, squirrels and many other animals.
We have plenty of snowshoes and skis for those without their own equipment. Wear warm clothes, bring water, and plan to be outside for two hours.
Registration
Naturalist Workshop Series: Writing the Weather
We never know what to expect of the weather in February--from a deep freeze and heavy snows to an early thaw and springlike breezes, the month can bring almost anything. In this nature writing workshop, we'll take inspiration from whatever the sky gives us. Through a combination of word play, visualization, and making metaphors, we'll generate poems that invoke, personify, and celebrate the weather in its many different guises. We'll alternate between group exercises, individual writing, and walking the trails to get our blood flowing. Please dress appropriately for staying warm outside, and consider bringing an insulated pad to sit on.
This creative nature writing workshop will be led by writer and Maine Master Naturalist Andrea Lani. Andera is the author of Uphill Both Ways: Hiking toward Happiness on the Colorado Trail. As a Maine Master Naturalist, she teaches nature writing and nature journaling workshops around Maine.
Registration
Full Moon Hike at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Join us for a full moon hike (or snowshoe, if there is snow on the ground) at Hidden Valley Nature Center.
Enjoy an evening illuminated by the glow of the full Snow Moon. Discover a new way of being in the woods, when sounds become more pronounced and sight takes a backseat to our other senses. The group will take moments of silence to listen for owls and nocturnal foragers along the trail, chat as we hike and revel in the brightness of earth's closest celestial friend.
Meet at the Welcome Center at HVNC; hikers should wear warm clothes and boots. If there is snow on the ground microspikes or small snowshoes are recommended. Need a pair? Reach out and we can gear you up. Please bring water and a flashlight or headlamp. Your guide will lead the group on a moderate hike of 2-3 miles along some of the many trails at HVNC. We will be out for 2 hours.
Weather date: February 13
Registration is required and space is limited so sign up today!
Review our refund policy here.
Registration