A free guided bird walk in a private nature preserve along the Androscoggin River in Greene.
Saturday May 13, 2023 Time: 8:00AM - 11:00AM Location: Schott Land Preserve 303 South River Road Greene, ME Cost: Free Reservations are not required.
The Schott Preserve is a wonderful natural area that offers a relaxing and enjoyable walk, mostly on gravel paths and some cut grass. Join Stan and Joan DeOrsey; Stanton Bird Club members and regular walk leaders; for this morning walk to learn more about the birds migrating up to the area for the summer. They will identify birds seen and heard plus highlight unique attributes of many species.
Dress for the weather and keep in mind the ground will be damp/wet with morning dew.
We will have a few sets of binoculars to lend out but if you have your own please bring them.
Please, no dogs on this adventure.
Directions: Meet at the Schott home, 303 South River Road, Greene. Continue to the last home at end of the road after road becomes gravel, drive up the driveway to park.
Registration is requested, but not required. For more information, or to registerclick here.
The proper maintenance of gravel roads in Maine is important for providing residents safe access to their properties and minimizing costly capital repairs to these roads over time, but it is also an important part of protecting our natural resources from degradation. In this training, participants will learn how proper maintenance protects water quality, about gravel road materials, how to evaluate a gravel road for maintenance needs, creating a road maintenance plan, and how to implement gravel road Best Management Practices. The class includes a site-walk of a local gravel road to provide a real-life scenario for discussion of potential improvements and practices upon request.
This training is intended to be provide a resource for road associations, town officials, contractors, gravel road owners, and watershed organizations to better understand methods and practices for evaluating and maintaining gravel roads referencing the Maine DEP Camp Road Maintenance Manual (Manual is available here).
This class qualifies for 4 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP. Each CEH afford Certified individuals one year of recertification.
Registration is requested but not required. To register click HERE.
Organic Market Gardening
Saturday, June 17, 2023 Time: 2:00PM - 4:00PM Location: Whatley Farm 3 Whatley Farm Rd Topsham Cost: Free Reservations are requested, but not required.
Take an afternoon tour of Whatley Farm, a beautiful small scale farm tucked in the outskirts of Topsham. This certified organic family farm grows vegetables for their community on only 3.5 acres of production beds. Soil health is of the utmost importance to owners Ben, Nick, and Laura Whatley and their team. They use shallow and reduced tillage, permanent beds, on-farm composting, and fungal inoculants to try and achieve both high production and a high level of soil health. Come learn about their growing systems, which are applicable to gardens of all sizes, and bring your questions about biointensive gardening and building organic matter in the soil
Registration is requested but not required. To register click HERE.
EcoFest
Saturday, June 24, 2023 Time: 9:00AM - 3:00PM Location: Sunnyside Park 170 Summer Street Lewiston Cost: Free Reservations are requested, but not required.
We will be joining this local Androscoggin Land Trust event that showcases sustainable and healthy living. Browse local vendors and organizations that promote sustainable living, conservation, and healthy living. Watch demonstrations to learn about implementing conservation in your backyard and sustainable living in your home! Sign up for a fun run, nature walk, family paddle and more!
Registration is requested but not required. To register click HERE.
No Till Farming
Saturday, July 8, 2023 Time: 10:00AM - 12:00AM Location: Stonecipher Farm 1186 River Road Bowdoinham Cost: $20 Reservations are requested, but not required.
Learn all about no till farming - a gardening and agricultural practice that eliminates the use of heavy machinery and pesticides. Join local farmer Ian Jerolmack of Stonecipher Farm and come see how he has changed his commercial operation from the agricultural standard to organic no till. He has discovered many benefits of these practices including no weeds, excellent soil health, low irrigation needs as well as a tranquil and aesthetically pleasing environment for all! Learn how you can apply these practices in your home garden or large scale farm!
Registration is requested but not required. To register click HERE.
River Fest
Friday + Saturday, July 15, 2023 Time: 10:00AM - 12:00AM Location: Lewiston/Auburn Cost: Free Reservations are not required.
RiverFest is a two-day event occurring along the Androscoggin River in Auburn and Lewiston. This event has something for everyone with a kickball tournament, canoe and kayak rentals, rowing Regatta, food trucks, an artisan fair, beer garden and two nights of live, local music. Find the AVSWCD table for a nature activity and information about our programs and events. This festival is free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 12, 2023 Time: 10:00AM - 12:00AM Location: Old Crow Ranch 427 Davis Road Durham Cost: Free Reservations are requested.
Join us for a farm tour of Old Crow Ranch, a family owned, pasture-based livestock farm in beautiful Durham, Maine. Come and see the cattle, pigs and chickens forage on the rolling hills of the farm. Farmer Steve Sinisi will take us through the farm process, watch the commitment that this family has taken to care for the animals, maintain high quality soil, and create opportunities to share this beautiful farm with our community.
More information to come.
Identifying Maine's Mushrooms:
A Workshop for Foragers
This day-long class is devoted to building the skills needed to identify common mushrooms and to begin a lifetime of wild mushrooming.
Saturday August 26, 2023 Time: 9:00AM - 3:00AM Location: Schott Land Preserve 303 South River Road Greene, ME Cost: $100 Reservations are required.
Maine is home to a number of world-class edible mushrooms easily found as you enjoy a walk through the woods and fields. Join local mushroom expert Greg Marley for this day-long class devoted to building the skills needed to identify common mushrooms and to begin a lifetime of of wild mushrooming. The class will combine lecture and outdoor experience to look at identification features, ecology and the seasonal occurrence of mushrooms. Focus will be on learning a few common edible and medicinal mushrooms and building skills for ongoing identification. Come prepared for a hike and a fun learning day. Beginners welcome.
Registration is requested. To register click HERE.
For more information on any event please contact:
Emma Lorusso (207) 241-5374 projectdirector@androscogginswcd.org.
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Past Events
Seeds of Spring: L/A First Day of Spring Celebration Lewiston Public Library
Medicinal Mushrooms of Maine AVSWCD, Lewiston
Identifying Trees of Maine AVSWCD, Lewiston
Pruning Forgotten Old Apple Trees Valley View Farm, Auburn