Merriam-Webster defines wilderness as an area essentially undisturbed by human activity together with its naturally developed life community. For those of us that enjoy recreating outdoors, that definition can vary depending on our intended use and interest. But there is one overarching theme that …
News & Notes
Great Backyard Bird Count 2024
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) kicks off tomorrow, Friday, February 16, and runs through Monday, February 19. This annual contributory science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is easy to join and your sightings are a valuable piece to this snapshot of bird populations. It is as …
Big News! Pickett Mountain Mine Proposal Rejected!
PICKETT MOUNTAIN MINING PROPOSAL REJECTED Decision comes after overwhelming opposition from Wabanaki Tribes, local businesses, and conservation groups February 14, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has firmly rejected a mining proposal in Maine’s Katahdin region that was …
Announcing the Fields Pond Winter Photo Contest Winner
Highlights and shadows cast by winter light captured water, snow, flora, and fauna in all the photographs submitted for the first ever Fields Pond Winter Photo Contest. Fifteen photographers submitted photos taken this winter at the center. Online voting took place between February 3 and February …
Exploring outside in winter with students
SNOW! It’s great for snowballs and sledding. It also presents a whole other way for exploring the outdoors and learning about Maine wildlife in the winter. While it may feel challenging to observe wildlife in winter, leafless trees and snow provide ample opportunities for spotting birds, evidence …
Andy’s note: Suddenly it’s February
Suddenly it's February. Tomorrow we'll be hearing about Punxsutawney Phil and his prediction about the timing of spring's arrival. I don't know about you, but I haven't had my fix of winter activities yet. Even our northernmost county, my native Aroostook, has less than a foot of snow on the ground …
Backyard bird of the month for February: Golden-crowned Kinglet
If you’ve got a quarter nearby, hold it in your hand for a moment. That quarter, at approximately 6 grams, is the same weight as Maine’s smallest winter resident bird, the Golden-crowned Kinglet. These tiny, lively birds can survive temperatures as low as -40℉, in part by roosting in small groups, …
What the trails can teach us in winter
Maine Audubon sanctuaries are the heart of the organization, which makes the trail networks found within them the veins. Trails connect people with nature and allow them to experience all that an area has to offer in a respectful way. In order to minimize impact on the land and keep access open, …
A Loony Winter
To say we've had crazy weather this winter in Maine would be an understatement. Many lakes remained unfrozen as we headed into the winter, then finally iced over, only to unthaw in a warm spell, and freeze again with the next cold snap. These conditions have made it tricky for all of us planning on …