RRCT EVENTS

Want to improve habitat for trees, birds and other wildlife on your land? Curious about ways you can promote healthy, resilient forests and agricultural lands?  

Come to a Landowner Open House hosted by the Cumberland Conservation Commission’s Forestry Subcommittee on Thursday, November 12!  Local farm, forest, and wildlife professionals will be on hand to offer guidance and education about how to take care of your land and access both technical and financial resources to help you do so.

Whether you own land or are simply curious about land management, everyone is welcome!

This approximately 2.5-mile guided hike to the summits of Blueberry Hill (451 ft ) and Bruce Hill (447 ft ) at Knight's Pond Preserve will be led by volunteers Lora Philp and long-time Trail Stewards Margaret and Bob Abbott.

The hike will lead you on the White and Blue trails with views of Knight's Pond, then up over Bruce and Blueberry Hills, looping back to the parking lot. Come enjoy a beautiful fall hike, learn more about this special preserve, and check the second and third destination off your 400-Footer Club list!

Join Maine Master Naturalist, author/illustrator, and educator Rebekah Lowell at Littlejohn Island Preserve for an afternoon of slowing down, observing, and connecting with the natural world. Through drawing exercises, texture studies, and creative prompts, you'll begin your own nature journaling practice. No art experience necessary!  Anyone with a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn how to nature journal can join!

This workshop is free but limited to 12 participants. Register to reserve your spot!

Curriculum: We’ll hike one mile round trip hike to visit the old quarries at Tyron Mountain, Pownal. After reviewing some rock basics, we’ll discuss the tumultuous geological forces that produced this now peaceful setting. We’ll look for graphic granite (beloved by geologists) and come away knowing enough about pegmatite, feldspar, and biotite to wow the Thanksgiving guests.

Naturalists: Karen Herold and Mary Brandes

Curriculum: Join us for a gentle walk in the woods as we mark the winter solstice. We'll look and listen for signs of winter preparations already underway in trees, birds, and other animals. What do we notice? What's happening that's harder to see? The walk will include a brief solstice ceremony as we prepare to welcome longer days (hurray!).

While the trails are generally easy and packed down, walking poles and microspikes might be helpful to navigate snowy and sometimes icy trails and parking areas.

Naturalists: Margaret Reimann, Anne Payson, and Sukie Curtis