Walks & Talks 2010

A terrific way to explore the St. George River watershed is to participate in an event sponsored by the Georges River Land Trust. Join us for a hike and see the river from the hilltops, or explore it in a boat on one of our paddling excursions. Learn about the plants and wildlife on a walk with a naturalist. Get an inside look at some of the most beautiful gardens in our area during the Gardens in the Watershed tour. We can help you discover the special wonders of this beautiful place.

Please note: You can get additional information on any of the following events by calling the Georges River Land Trust office at 207-594-5166.

August

Saturday, August 7 (previously scheduled for Friday, August 6), 8-10 am. Morning Bird Walk at the Weskeag Marsh led by Don Reimer and Bill Goodwill, volunteers of GRLT and Mid-Coast Audubon. Bring binoculars and wear boots. Registration required, limit of 20 people. Call office at 207-594-5166 to register and get directons.

Saturday, August 14, 9:30 am-12 pm. Nature walk into the Rockland Bog to identify bog plant life. Short hike into the Cranberry Bog, a section of the Oyster River Bog, led by Gary and Ida Clarke, Trail Adopters for the Oyster River Bog section of the Georges Highland Path, followed by investigation and identification of the bog plants of this area with naturalist Wanda Garland. Please wear waterproof boots and be prepared for some "bushwhacking." Limited to 20 persons, call GRLT office at 207-594-5166 to register and get directions.

Sunday, August 22, 3 pm - 6 pm. Annual Celebration Members and friends of GRLT will gather for our annual celebration in Cushing at the Antolini property under easement with GRLT. Brad Allen and Danielle D'Auria from Inland Fisheries & Wildlife will speak about shorebirds and herons followed by a Potluck picnic. Come and enjoy the camaraderie with GRLT members, board, and staff. Directions: From Route 1 in Thomaston, turn south on Wadsworth Street next to the Prison Store. Continue across the green bridge and go approximately 1 mile to McCarter Point Road and turn left. The Antolini property is at the end of the road.

Monday, August 30, 10-11 am (Payson Park) & 1-3 pm (Canal Path). Two guided walks on the Canal Path co-sponsored by the General Henry Knox Museum. Learn more about the history of the canal. First walk will take place at Payson Park, led by Sophia Mendoza from the General Henry Knox Museum and second walk will be led by David Getchell, GRLT volunteer, in Searsmont at the Canal Path.

Payson Park is located on Route 90 in the town of Warren just west of the St. George River. From Rockland, take Rt. 1 south. Turn right on Rt. 90 and go approximately 9/10ths of a mile and turn left into Payson Park.

The Canal Path is located on Ghent Road in Searsmont. From Rockland, go north on Rt. 1 to Camden. Turn left on Mechanic Street/Rt. 105. Turn right on Rt. 131, and then turn right on Ghent Road. The parking lot is next to the river on the right side. The trailhead is to the right of the parking lot.

Call 207-594-5166 with any questions.

September

Wednesday, September 1, 7-9 pm. Presentation about the history of the Georges River Canal Path given by Sophia Mendoza, Education Coordinator at the General Henry Knox Museum. Talk to be held in the oval room at the General Henry Knox Museum, 28 High Street, Thomaston. Co-sponsored with the Georges River Land Trust. For more information call 207-354-8062.

Saturday, September 11, 9 am – 11 am. Moss & Lichen Walk at Pleasant Point Nature Preserve in Cushing. Led by naturalist, Fred Olday. Meet at the preserve parking area on Stone's Point Road, on the left just off the lower portion of Pleasant Point Road. Bring hand lens, snack, and water.

Saturday, September 18. 9am – 12 noon. Photographing Nature on a GRLT preserve, a morning workshop with Benjamin Magro, photographer, on how to photograph the natural environment. Learn different ways to see nature and how to tell a story about the river. The workshop is open to all. Participants will need digital, film or point and shoot camera, and have a good working knowledge of the manual operation of their cameras prior to the session. This will greatly add to the creative control needed in taking some photos. Confirmed participants are welcome to call Ben in advance of the workshop to answer questions about their particular camera manual function. This workshop is limited to 25 participants. Please register with GRLT office at 207–594-5166. Bring lunch.

October

Saturday, October 2, 9 am-12 noon. Hike on Ragged Mountain in Camden/Rockport. Co-sponsored by GRLT and Coastal Mountains Land Trust. Meet at the Pendleton Preserve trailhead on Barnestown Road in Camden. Bring snack and water.

Saturday, October 23, 9-11 am. Hike on Clary Hill. Co-sponsored by GRLT and Medomak Valley Land Trust. Join Annette Naegel of GRLT and Liz Petruska of MVLT for a hike on the new MVLT trail on the blueberry lands of Clary Hill. Clary Hill is the watershed divide between the St. George River and the Medomak River. The new trail provides access to fields and forest and offers spectacular views of both watersheds and beyond. The trail is 2.5 miles out and back and covers moderate terrain. Directions: From Route 235, turn onto Clary Hill Road. After 1 mile, bear left to stay on Clary Hill Road. After 0.5 miles, turn right to stay on Clary Hill Road. After 0.8 miles, turn left onto Elmer Hart Road. Follow the stone road until you see the trail head sign on the left.

November

Thursday, November 4, 6-8 pm. Presentation on Clam Fisheries by Sherm Hoyt. Co-sponsored by GRLT and the Georges River Tidewater Association. Hoyt is a member of the University of Maine Marine Extension Team (MET). The MET is a collaboration of Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Its members live and work along the coast, providing educational and applied research programs to Maine's citizens in the areas of coastal community development, ecosystem health, fisheries and aquaculture. Hoyt will talk about the Georges River Clam Management Program as a successful model of community-based fisheries management. Meet at Watts Hall (2nd floor of the town office) in Thomaston.

December

Wednesday, December 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteer Celebration at Eric Hopkins Gallery in Rockland