Having worked at Maine Audubon in the first part of my career, I now often get asked “Has much changed? How is it different, or is it much the same?” The mission of course remains the same and it’s the primary reason I wanted to return to work here. As far as changes, there’s a larger staff with lots of new-to-me faces. We have a beautiful new Native Plants Education Center to help us engage even more people at Gilsland Farm.
One change that feels very impactful is the organization’s approach to programming. When I was here decades ago (that makes me sound so old!), most of the programs had a fee associated with them, even if it was just a nominal one. During the pandemic, the decision was made to offer free programming to help people engage with nature and remove financial barriers to access. Since then, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to being more inclusive, and to offer many programs for free or at very low cost and provide scholarships for programs with higher costs. Now we regularly offer several free programs every week at all of our centers. All of our sanctuaries are free and open to the public year round.
Later this month, we will have a grand opening for our All Persons Trail; one of only a few in the Portland area. The trail isn’t even done yet and it’s already getting tons of use. Another All Persons Trail is scheduled to be built at our Fields Pond center in Greater Bangor next year. This decision to be as inclusive as possible and to try to remove both financial and physical barriers to getting people outside is exactly what we should be doing. I am passionate about getting more people outside and connecting them with the amazing natural resources in Maine. After all, the outdoors are for everyone.
These programs aren’t free to produce, however; our development and program staff work tirelessly to ensure we raise enough money to fund these programs so that everyone can enjoy these opportunities. As we enter the fall season, as the leaves turn bright red, yellow, and orange, the days get shorter, and many people focus on the larger community, will you please take a minute to join Maine Audubon, either as a member or a donor, if you aren’t one already? If you are, then I thank you and ask that you consider increasing your level of support or making a special gift this season. More and more people are enjoying our programs and trails every year, which instills a sense of hope and inspiration in me; I hope it does for you too.
There are so many great programs this October. We’ve got weekly nature and bird walks, plus Fall Frolic at Gilsland Farm, the annual Scarborough Marsh cleanup, and the Fields Pond 5K (all on October 3). Plus check out our Birdability Week (Oct 19-25) events in Portland, Falmouth, and Scarborough, birding trips in Aroostook County, and a host of native plants workshops. I hope you are able to join some of these events, and I hope you will consider making a donation to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
Thanks so much and I hope to see you in the field soon.
