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Everything’s coming up groundhogs

Don’t we all feel like popping our heads up and looking around in February?  Come out for some fresh air to Maine Audubon programs and events at our centers in Holden and Falmouth. February 1 at 7 pm, Fields Pond Audubon Center will host naturalist Lynn Havsall for Groundhog Eve.  Lynn will share the history and lore of Groundhog Day and how this special rodent got its own holiday. This event will be an engaging evening for all ages.

Join us at Gilsland Farm on Saturday, February 2 beginning at 10 am for a Groundhog Day Celebration! Shadow or no shadow? That is the question. Will winter end soon, or should we expect 6 more weeks? Punxsutawney Phil is famous for his winter predictions but do you know about our very own Rosewood and all our other groundhogs at Gilsland Farm? We promise a fun morning of learning about groundhogs, whistle pigs, and woodchucks. We’ll have books, kids’ activities, and a presentation by Dr. Christine Maher, who has been studying our Gilsland Farm groundhogs for over 20 years.

It’s always a special evening when we are joined by Maine’s preeminent naturalist and nature author, Dr. Bernd Heinrich.  During this Speaker Series event at Gilsland Farm on Thursday, February 7 at 7 pm, Dr. Heinrich will share photos and stories from several seasons of research at his forest home in Western Maine. We expect this event to sell out, so get your tickets today!

Looking for a fun day out with the family? Join us for Winter Fun on Fields Pond! On Saturday, February 9, Fields Pond Audubon Center is partnering with University of Maine, Curran Homestead Village, and the Maine Discovery Museum for a day of science, history, and fun. Activities begin at 10 am and run until 3 pm and will include: Winter lake ecology stations on the pond, traditional ice-harvesting demonstrations, hands-on ice-science experiments for kids at the Fields Pond Nature Center, and Belgian draft horse sleigh rides.  The day is free for Maine Audubon members.

The Falmouth Land Trust will be leading a Family Snowshoe walk through Gilsland Farm on Saturday, February 9 as part of the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend events. Walk the trails, then come inside for hot chocolate and treats.

If you live closer to Portland, join us in Falmouth on February 16 for Winter Carnival, a family celebration of winter weather and wildlife! Learn, create, and play at a variety of indoor and outdoor activity stations, including a winter wildlife touch table, giant snow shelter (an Athabascan quinzhee), scavenger hunt, tracking activities, snow science and art, face painting.  There will also be snowshoeing with L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School and special kid-friendly shows with local musician Amanda Panda.

Check out our February Vacation Camps running February 19-22. At Gilsland Farm we have camps for Preschoolers and also kids grades K-5. Each day has its own theme, so sign up for one day or all four! On Friday at 10:30 am, the Center for Wildlife will come for a special live animal show. The whole family is welcome to join in the fun!

At Fields Pond, we offer February Vacation Camp for kids in grades 3-5. Kids can register for one day or the whole week.  Partial scholarships for all Maine Audubon camps are available for those who need assistance.  Please call 207-781-2330 x273 for more information. April Vacation Camp and Summer Camp registrations are also open, so reserve your spot today!

Find out about all our upcoming programs at maineaudubon1.wpengine.com/events.