Last week a group of ten high school students from Exeter, New Hampshire, spent their Monday volunteering at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. Their visit was one stop along a week-long trip visiting Maine and volunteering with other organizations, as coordinated by Network Volunteer Group.
The morning started with a welcome and overview of the center and Maine Audubon. We then divided up into three working groups focused on separate projects throughout the morning.
With the guidance of George Mageles, a volunteer at Scarborough Marsh, and the help of Liz Thibault, Maine Audubon’s Land Steward, who pre-cut the wood materials, one group assembled a new picnic table for the center. The group also worked to repair and reorganize an equipment shed on site. The picnic area is looking great with spectacular views of the marsh!
Other students got to highlight their artistic abilities by repainting several educational materials. They redesigned our bird wingspans, an activity where visitors can size up their wingspan compared to birds that can be seen in and around Scarborough Marsh.
A third team set off on the nature trail across the street to help remove invasive species like Morrow’s Honeysuckle and Oriental Bittersweet from along the trail. The group braved mosquitos and black flies all day to remove what they could and transformed an overgrown section of the trail.
After a break for lunch and putting their finishing touches on the projects, the group enjoyed frozen popsicles while learning about many of the birds that can be seen around the marsh. We ended the day with an educational walk along the Eastern Trail and discussed how salt marshes are formed and the impacts of the ever-changing ecosystem.
It was a great day to work together, enjoy the sunshine, and build community with the next generation of environmental stewards!
We are currently looking for volunteers at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. If you’re interested in helping lift boats and assist at the waterfront, greet visitors, or aid in special projects, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Jill Valley-Orlando at jvorlando@maineaudubon.org or Wyatt Steffensen, the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center Manager, wsteffensen@maineaudubon.org.
