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.

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 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.