Four of the region’s authorities on local shipbuilding history will share the podium on Thursday, March 27th at the Damariscotta River Association’s Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center. Drawing from historical photos, evidence from archaeological investigations, maps, and other historical data, David Andrews, Mark Biscoe, Peter Lindquist, and Tim Dinsmore will describe aspects of the important and evolving shipbuilding industry on the Damari-scotta River during an informal evening of presentations and discussions ... more
Norman and Gale Hochgraf, who live along Boyd Pond, recently helped to advance an initiative to protect this water body and its abundant wildlife. Keen to maintain the shoreline in its natural state for the benefit of the pond’s wild residents, the Hochgraf’s made a gift of a conservation easement to the Damariscotta River Association this past December, permanently protecting 15 acres and more than 400 feet of shoreline ... more
Camp Mummichog Accepting Registrations: Looking forward to its third season, the Damariscotta River Association’s School for Field Naturalists is offering summer day camp this July and August ... more information
Archaeology Field School 2008 Accepting Registrations: Archaeologist Tim Dinsmore will direct his final year of research on the 18th-century Bryant-Barker Tavern site located along the west bank of the Damariscotta River in Newcastle ... more
DRA Jr. Naturalist After School Program
Connects Kids to Nature: It gives kids the opportunity to develop field naturalist skills in the tradition of the great Naturalists like Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson. The Jr. Naturalist program provides inquiry-based, hands-on learning in a safe, outdoor environment. The program includes games, hikes, nature journaling, and ‘nature sleuthing’ to solve the questions of their choice ... more

Marsh River Bog Preserve and Boardwalk: Now open to the public ... read more
Energy Audits — Partnership with Midcoast Green Collaborative: The DRA has partnered with the Midcoast Green Collaborative in supporting their work and promoting their energy audits. Our partnership brings together two very necessary elements: energy conservation and land conser-vation. Our farm house is slated to become a model for the many old house home owners who wish to retrofit an old house with energy conservation and alternative energy gen-eration. A year or two out, we will be working on a New England Cape design which will be energy self sufficient and a model for those in our community and beyond who wish to see how it is done. The cape will also become a community resource space open to meeting and activity needs of the community. Check out the MGC web site for more information about their mission and about their energy audits.
DRA Survey of Damariscotta River: DRA continues to seek your opinions regarding economic, environmental and cultural conditions affecting the Damariscotta River including Johns Bay. Please check out our survey information page.
DRA River Link Ceremony: On October 25th, Governor Bladacci cut the ribbon unveiling the new River~Link trail ... more
DRA Volunteer Opportunities: New information - check it out!
DRA Encourages Energy Conservation: Specific actions that you can take to reduce energy consumption and production of greenhouse gases is contained in "Steps You Can Take to Reduce Energy Use & Cut Carbon Emissions". Some background regarding this information and DRA's relationship with Paul Kando is available here.
Brief History & Overview Of The DRA
The Damariscotta River Association was established in 1973 as a membership-supported, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural and historic heritage of the Damariscotta River, its watershed and adjacent areas for the benefit of all.
The DRA became a conservation land trust in 1987. Since then, it has joined with private landowners, other conservation groups, and local, state, and federal government agencies to protect and manage over 2,700 acres and 22 miles of shoreline, including a number of river and sea islands. Much of this land is open to appropriate public access.