Believe it or not, winter will end some day ...

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) is a non-profit community-supported land trust working in the greater Damariscotta River region. DRA conserves critical land and water resources, including outstanding wildlife habitat, public access, and cultural treasures like oyster shell middens.

We invite you to visit our preserves, take part in our events and programs, and to join our efforts as a member, volunteer, or donor.

What's New: (updated 2/8/2010)

Stay Tuned – New offerings are posted often, so return frequently to our web site to see what's happening!

Calendar of Events: By Day/Week/Month/List – click on the link at the top of the calendar to come back here

Job Opening at DRA: The Damariscotta River Association seeks a dependable and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Office Manager. The full job description is available here as a pdf file.

Additional Programs and Events: Monday Meanders (family hikes at different DRA preserves with Naturalists) are happening now on the second Monday of each month from 1pm to 3pm unless noted otherwise:

• February 8 – Animal Tracks and Signs with Sarah Gladu at Hochgraf/NORGAL Preserve (Route 130 less than 4.5 miles past Hanley’s Market/Route 129 junction and through Bristol Mills to Sproul Hill Road. Take a left on Sproul Hill, then a right on Austin Road. The trailhead is on the left and parking is on the right.)
• March 8 – Life on the Edge (of the River) with Mark Ward at Plummer Point (Route 129)
• Monday Meanders will through June – check back to see what's on tap!

Coastal Winter Birds (note: Saturday program): Saturday, February 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Free): Join naturalist Tom Arter for an informative walk focused on coastal birds in the winter. Meet at the DRA Heritage Farm and be prepared to carpool to other locations.

Global Climate Change with Ornithologist and Author Dr. Jeff Wells, Wednesday, February 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Free): Global warming threatens bird populations of the boreal forests. Learn how climate change affects Maine’s birds and what the Boreal Songbird Initiative is doing about it. Dr. Jeff Wells, Senior Scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative, is one of the nation's leading bird conservation experts. Previously, he was the Audubon Society's National Conservation Director he is now dedicated to understanding and protecting the land where North America's birds are born and raised, the Boreal Forest of Canada and Alaska.

Updated Information – Winter–Spring Education Programs and Camps in January and beyond:

• – Frogs and Pollywogs – Nature Program For Tots
• – Wild Encounters – Homeschooling Program
• – Jr. Naturalist After-School Program – Space is available for the February session of the organization’s Jr. Naturalist After-School program. The February session is called “Winter Survival Skills” and will include fire starting, shelter building, staying found, tracking, map reading, and additional related activities. Click the link above for more information.
• – February Vacation Winter Camp (Grades 2 – 5): Nature adventure camp during winter vacation Feb 15-19

     Clicking on the links above will take you to the relevant section of our Education Page. While you're there, please browse around to see all that we offer.

DRA and Environmental Concern Inc. Present Educator Workshops: Wetlands Across America in Maine: DRA is excited to partner with Environmental Concern Inc. to present workshops for educators at the DRA Heritage Farm in April, 2010. These workshops are approved for teacher contact hours by the Maine Department of Education.

This partnership is a natural match – Environmental Concern's mission statement includes:

"... promotes public understanding and stewardship of wetlands with the goal of improving water quality and enhancing nature’s habitat. This is accomplished through wetland outreach and education, native species horticulture, and the restoration, construction and enhancement of wetlands."

Please download a poster here (pdf format) with descriptions of the three workshops and information on how to register. You also can learn more online at http://www.wetland.org. Note that although the programs will be held at the DRA, registration is through Environmental Concern Inc. For more information, you can contact Sarah Gladu, DRA's Education Coordinator, at 207-563-1393.

Round Top Farm: Information regarding usage and rental of the Barn, the Gallery, and the Old Ice Cream Shop at Round Top Farm is now online.

Visit DRA's Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center
on Belvedere Road in Damariscotta
(directions)

phone (207) 563-1393
fax (207) 563-2639
Dra@draclt.org

Become a member!

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updated 2/8/2010