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20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105

(207) 781-2330
Fax: (207) 781-0974
info@maineaudubon.org

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center and Sanctuary

 

Save the Date

 

Workshop: Preparing Your Garden for Winter
Tuesday, October 21
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
Falmouth, Maine


Color Me Birdy: The Story Behind Plumage Color
Tuesday, October 14
Fields Pond Audubon Center
Holden, Maine

 

Make a Date With Nature!

 

 

Programs & Events

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center

 

Activities for children, adults, and families.

 

September | October | November | December

 

September

 

 

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Weekly Birdwalk

Accompany staff naturalist and expert birder Eric Hynes each Thursday morning for a guided birdwalk at Gilsland Farm. We meet in the environmental center parking lot. Bring your binoculars and field guide. All skill levels welcome.

Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18, and 25

7 a.m.

$3/ member, $5/nonmember

Fall Yoga:

Restoring and Maintaining Balance

Relax and enjoy the serenity of Gilsland Farm with gentle Kripalu yoga guided by Deb Cook. Suitable for all levels of continuing students, this class balances a mix of yoga postures, breathing, and meditation with an emphasis on reducing stress, increasing focus, and connecting with the peaceful surroundings. Beginning students are welcome but should check first with Deb Cook at cook@midcoast.com.

Mondays, September 8, 15, 22, and 29; October 6 and 27; November 3 and 10

5:30-6:45 p.m.

$64/member, $80/nonmember, or $12/individual per class

Advance registration necessary

Family Program: Life under a Log

There is a whole other world of interesting creatures that exist under a log. Families with children ages five and older are welcome join an Audubon naturalist in exploring this unique environment. You might be surprised to discover how many special organisms make up this community.

Saturday, September 20

10-11:30 a.m.

Members: $6/adult, $3/child; nonmembers: $8/adult, $4/child

Advance registration necessary

11 th Annual

Maine Artists at Maine Audubon

Art Auction

Celebrated with delectable hors d'ouevres, and drinks, more than 100 pieces of artwork inspires by the beauty of Maine will be auctioned in Gilsland Farm's beautiful environmental center. All proceeds support Maine Audubon's mission to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.

 

Friday, September 26

6-9 p.m.

Tickets: $45 each, two for $75

Reservations recommended; call Susy Kist at (207) 781-2330, ext. 231.

Naturalists' Forum

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago, off the coast of Venezuela , are an exotic Caribbean birding destination. Margi Huber and Bob Bittenbender will show slides of these two locations and discuss the habitats, the plants, and the birds that can be found there. It will be a good primer for Maine Audubon's trip with Eric Hynes to this location in March of 2009.

Monday, September 29

7 p.m.

Free

October

 

 

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Weekly Birdwalk

The diversity of migrating sparrows and raptors is greatest this month. Accompany staff naturalist and expert birder Eric Hynes each Thursday morning for a guided birdwalk at Gilsland Farm. We meet in the environmental center parking lot. Bring your binoculars and field guide. All skill levels welcome.

Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

7 a.m.

$3/ member, $5/nonmember

Fall Yoga:

Restoring and Maintaining Balance

Relax and enjoy the serenity of Gilsland Farm with gentle Kripalu yoga guided by Deb Cook. Suitable for all levels of continuing students, this class balances a mix of yoga postures, breathing, and meditation with an emphasis on reducing stress, increasing focus, and connecting with the peaceful surroundings. Beginning students are welcome but should check first with Deb Cook at cook@midcoast.com.

Mondays,

October 6 and 27; November 3 and 10

5:30-6:45 p.m.

$64/member, $80/nonmember, or $12/individual per class

Advance registration necessary

Travelers' Forum:

Journey South to Antarctica

The continent of Antarctica is the most remote, most exotic-and least visited-place on Earth. Much larger than the United States , it is almost entirely snow, ice, and mountains.  Join us for this presentation by Lila and David Kirkwood, photographer/travelers who journeyed to Antarctica last year to capture the alien qualities of its land and wildlife on the trip of a lifetime.

 

Thursday, October 2

7 p.m.

Free

Portland Pottery and Jewelry Show

Students and professionals from Portland Pottery will be at Gilsland Farm selling pottery, jewelry, and sculpture while demonstrating pottery making. This is a great chance to support local artists and

get a head start on holiday shopping. Entrance donations benefit Maine Audubon.

Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4

9 a.m.-5 p.m

Sunday, October 5

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

$3 suggested donation

Family Program:

Good Night Nature

Bring your children ages 3-6 to Gilsland Farm for the evening to listen to the bedtime story Bat Baby Finds a Home and enjoy snacks and activities. Don't forget to wear your pajamas! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday,

October 9

6:30-7:30 p.m.

$10/member child, $15/nonmember child

Advance registration necessary

Family Program: Bioblitz

Join Maine Audubon naturalists for a "bioblitz" of Gilsland Farm, where we will identify as many species of plants and animals as we can in a limited period of time. This exciting investigation is sure to track down many species of flowers, birds, insects, trees, fungi, mammals, and more. Families with children over 8 are welcome to join.

Saturday,

October 11

9-10:30 a.m.

Members: $6/adult, $3/child

Nonmembers:

$8/adult, $4/child

Advance registration necessary

Nature Book Discussion Group:

Banana:

The Fate of the Fruit that Changed

the World by Don Koeppel

Growing out of a Popular Science feature article, this book combines a pop-science journey around the globe with a fascinating tale of an iconic American business enterprise that takes readers into the high-tech labs where new bananas are literally being built in test tubes.

Monday, October 13

7 p.m.

Free

Big Sit

The Big Sit is an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event. Led by Linda Woodard, Maine Audubon staff and volunteers will be counting as many bird species as they can from within an imaginary circle 17 feet in diameter. Any and all are welcome to stop by along the north meadow trail at the rivers edge and help for as long as you would like. Contact Linda Woodard at lwoodard@maineaudubon.org for more information.

Sunday, October 12

Dawn to dusk

Free

Read outdoor columnist Deirdre Fleming's article on Maine Audubon's Big Sit.

APPLE DAY

Come celebrate autumn and its bounty at our annual harvest festival. Enjoy cider pressing, craft demonstrations, storytelling, face painting, live music, contra dancing, nature walks, and more. Enter your award-winning apple pie or apple cake in our all-apple baked goods contest. You also can pick up your winter birdseed order. There's something here for family members of every age.

Saturday, October 18

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Free

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Mission Wolf

Come meet two live gray wolves and learn about the species through myths, folklore, and facts about their behavior, habitat, and restoration efforts. Biologists from Mission Wolf bring their live wolves all the way from Montana to share this time with us. Afterwards, don't be surprised if you feel an insatiable yearning to howl at the moon! Choose from two programs, each geared to a different age group.

Monday, October 20

4 p.m.

(suggested for families with children ages 8 and younger)

7 p.m.

(suggested for families with children ages 9 and up)

Members: $15/adult, $10/child

Nonmembers: $18/adult, $12/child

Advance registration necessary

Workshop:

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

Preparing your garden for winter can be a daunting task, but one with dramatic effects next spring. Horticulturist Margi Huber will answer basic questions about preparing your garden for winter, including what and how to prune, what species can safely be planted in the fall, and what plants need a little extra protection from the impending cold.

Tuesday,

October 21

7-8:30 p.m.

$10/member, $12/nonmember

 

Advance registration necessary

Naturalists' Forum: Black Racer Snakes in Maine

The state endangered northern black racer is a large but rarely encountered snake at risk in Maine because of habitat loss and fragmentation. Wildlife biologist Jonathan Mays will present findings from a study the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is conducting to better understand the racer's movement and habitat ecology using radio-telemetry.

Monday, October 27

7 p.m.

Free

Monday, October 27

7 p.m.

Free

November

 

 

Return to Top

Fall Yoga:

Restoring and Maintaining Balance

Relax and enjoy the serenity of Gilsland Farm with gentle Kripalu yoga guided by Deb Cook. Suitable for all levels of continuing students, this class balances a mix of yoga postures, breathing, and meditation with an emphasis on reducing stress, increasing focus, and connecting with the peaceful surroundings. Beginning students are welcome but should check first with Deb Cook at cook@midcoast.com.

 

Mondays,

November 3 and 10

5:30-6:45 p.m.

$64/member, $80/nonmember, or $12/individual per class

 

Advance registration necessary

Weekly Birdwalk

Accompany staff naturalist and expert birder Eric Hynes each Thursday morning for a guided birdwalk at Gilsland Farm. We meet in the environmental center parking lot. Bring your binoculars and field guide. All skill levels welcome.

Thursdays, November 6, 13, and 20

7 a.m.

$3/member, $5/nonmember

Nature Book Discussion:

Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis

by Kim Todd

A 52-year old German woman set sail on a solo scientific expedition 300 years ago to study insect metamorphosis. Chrysalis, a biography, restores Maria Sibyll Merian to her rightful place in the history of science, taking us from golden age Amsterdam to the Surinam tropics to modern laboratories where Merian's insights fuel new approaches to both ecology and genetics. The author will not be present.

Monday, November 10

 

7 p.m.

 

Free

Family Program: Good Night Nature

Bring your children ages 3-6 to Gilsland Farm for the evening to listen to the bedtime story Night in the Country and to enjoy snacks and activities. Don't forget to wear your pajamas! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, November 13

6:30-7:30 p.m.

$10/member child, $15/nonmember child

 

Advance registration necessary

Family Nature Walk: Full Moon Ramble

Explore Gilsland Farm on a fall evening just two days after the full moon while looking and listening for animals active at night.

Designed for both families and adults. Dress for the outdoors.

Saturday, November 15

6-7:30 p.m.

Members: $6/adult, $3/child

Nonmembers: $8/adult, $4/child

Advance registration necessary

Members' Double Discount Day

Get double your regular discount-that's 20 percent off-on unique gifts for all ages at the Maine Audubon Nature Store (no discount on optics, art, consignments, or sale items). Enjoy some early holiday refreshments and free gift wrapping, too. Just another benefit of Maine Audubon membership!

Tuesday,

November 18

12-7 p.m.

Free

 

Workshop: Backyard Bird Feeding Tips

Backyard bird watching and feeding is one of the largest and fastest growing hobbies in the United States . Let staff naturalist Eric Hynes guide you through the myriad of feeders, fountains, and seed, demonstrate how to turn your property into habitat, and even help identify that little brown bird that shows up at your feeder every fall. Warning: your interest may become a passion.

Tuesday, November 18

7-8:30 p.m.

$10/member, $12/nonmember

 

Advance registration necessary

SPECIAL PRESENTATION :

City House, Country House:

Green Building Design in Maine

Join us for an evening with one of Maine 's leading green-building architects, Rick Renner of Richard Renner Architects, for a discussion on how green design can significantly reduce our impacts on the environment. Collaborating often with Wright-Ryan Construction, Renner's impressive portfolio of green buildings includes two LEED Platinum-rated homes in Maine , EPA Energy Star Showcase renovations of Maine College of Art's Porteous Building , and Maine Audubon's award-winning visitor center in Falmouth . Sharing slides of his work, Renner will talk about green-building goals, myths, and pitfalls, while sharing how innovative design can help reduce our carbon footprint. Read more about this program on page 5 of Habitat.

Wednesday, November 19

 

7 p.m.

 

Free

Naturalists' Forum: TBA

Join avid and beginner naturalists who meet for a program on a different natural history topic each month. Check Back here at www.maineaudubon.org for November's topic.

Monday, November 24

 

7 p.m.

 

Free

December

 

 

Return to Top

Weekly Birdwalk

Accompany staff naturalist and expert birder Eric Hynes each Thursday morning for a guided birdwalk at Gilsland Farm. We meet in the environmental center parking lot. Bring your binoculars and field guide. All skill levels welcome.

Thursdays, December 4, 11, and 18

8 a.m.

$3/member, $5/nonmember

Nature Book Discussion: Poetry Night

For our last meeting of the year, we will share our favorite poems.Bring 10 copies of a nature poem you particularly like; each person will read his or her poem and then discuss it briefly with the group. Or just come listen to poetry being read aloud on a cold December night.

Monday, December 8

 

7 p.m.

 

Free

Family Program: Good Night Nature

Bring your children ages 3-6 to Gilsland Farm for the evening to listen to the bedtime story The Big Yawn and enjoy snacks and activities. Don't forget to wear your pajamas! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, December 11

6:30-7:30 p.m.

$10/member child, $15/nonmember child

Advance registration necessary

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Owls of the World

Everyone loves owls, but how often do you get to see one up close? Join naturalist Marcia Wilson and photographer Mark Wilson as they share their passion for owls with us. The program will start with a slide show to introduce you to the owls of New England and beyond; you'll then get a hooting lesson, tips on how to identify and find owls without disturbing them, and an opportunity to see six live owls, including a northern saw-whet, eastern screech, barred, great horned, snowy, and the newest member of the program, a spectacled owl.

Saturday, December 13

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.,

1:30-2:45 p.m.,

or 4-5:15 p.m. (choose one)

Members: $10/adult, $5/child

Nonmembers: $12/adult, $8/child

 

Advance registration necessary

Holiday Potluck

Celebrate the holidays at Gilsland Farm! Bring a main dish, salad, or dessert and whatever you'd like to drink for the potluck supper, then join us for the Naturalists' Forum.

Monday, December 15

5:30-6:45 p.m.

 

Free

Naturalists' Forum:

Wind Turbines, Petrels,

and the Galapagos

Jim Tolan of Industry and Energy Associates (IEA) of Portland , Maine , was project director for the San Cristobal Wind Project in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Completed in 2007, the project was a carefully planned effort to replace diesel-based power with wind turbines. While making use of a clean, renewable resource, another objective of the project was demonstrating that if properly developed, operated, and managed, a wind project can co-exist with endangered species, in this case the Galapagos petrel.

Monday, December 15

 

7 p.m.

 

Free

Winter Solstice Celebration

Winter may just be beginning, but December 22 marks the return of lengthening daylight hours, an event people have observed since prehistoric times. Join us as we celebrate the "return of the sun" by honoring the directions, lighting candles, listening to a storyteller weave a tale about wildlife and the season, and creating a seasonal craft. This is a lovely alternative to the hustle and bustle of the season, and a perfect opportunity to rekindle your connection to nature.

Sunday, December 21

7-8:30 p.m.

Members: $8/adult, $3/child

Nonmembers: $10/adult, $4/child

 

Advance registration necessary

 

 

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