#FirstDay Hikes at Select #MaineStateParks with Guided and Self-guided Options

"Maine State Park First Day Hikes, part of the nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors, are a combination of led and self-guided hikes, as well as virtual visits to help you kick off 2026.

Join in on the fun and start out your New Year within the beauty and solace of a Maine State Park. Program listings are provided below. You can also download materials for self-guided hikes and view the virtual visits at BPL's First Day Hike page.

Program Listings - Join Us on January 1, 2026:

#CamdenHills State Park, #CamdenME
#HolbrookIsland State Park, #BrooksvilleME
#SebagoLake State Park - Campground side of park, #NaplesME
#TwoLights State Park, #CapeElizabethME

Enjoy the free park entry and program for First Day Hikers!"

FMI: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/discover_history_explore_nature/activities/first-day-hikes.shtml

#MaineParks #NatureEvents #NatureHikes #NewYearsHikes #SpendTimeInNature
#MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #MaineEvents

#Maine - #WinterSolstice Walk at #KettleCove #StatePark

Division / Program: Parks and Lands
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: 49 Kettle Cove Road, #CapeElizabethME. Meet at the park's maintenance shop.
State Park: Kettle Cove State Park
Event Type: #NatureExploration, Special Event

"The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year-- a day of beginnings, of storytelling, of reflection, of celebrating and more. For ancient astronomers, it was the day that the sun appeared at its lowest in the Northern Hemisphere sky and at its farthest southern point over Earth. It's also the day that the Earth and all of us are closest to the sun. Join naturalist Jeanne Christie for a walk to the shore at Kettle Cove to learn a bit of ancient history, astronomy, stories of past cultures, and to reflect and celebrate the beginning of the longest night of the year."

Contact Name: C/O Crescent Beach State Park
Contact Phone: (207) 799-5871
Cost: Free with park admission: Adult Maine Resident: $3; Adult Non-Resident: $4; Senior Non-Resident: $1; Children 5-11 years old: $1; Children under 5 and Maine Seniors are free.

Link to PDF:
https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=13336117&an=1

#SolarPunkSunday #NatureEvents #SolsticeEvents #WinterSolsticeEvents #SpendTimeInNature #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #WinterSolstice #MaineEvents #Storytelling #History #Astronomy

I went on a hike by myself today (#IndianCellarPreserve). I love to hike by myself because I can meander, take photos, observe birds, see what's growing and what isn't. An hour-long hike can easily take me 2-1/2 hours. And since there isn't hunting allowed, I didn't wear any orange -- instead wore all black (including a hat). Well, between what I was wearing, and my uneven steps, a couple hanging out by the river thought I was a bear! Nah. Just an armchair historian and nature-lover -- who happily filled them in about the history of the area!

#GreenBathing #SpendTimeInNature #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #NaturePreserve #Maine

#Maine - Autumn Adventure Day at #BradburyMountainStatePark

Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Location: 528 Hallowell Road, #PownalME
State Park: #BradburyMountain
Event Type: #NatureExploration, Special Event

"Join us for a full day of family-friendly fun featuring #LeaveNoTrace principles. Our Autumn Adventure festival will lead you through a wide range of fall activities throughout the entire park. Come experience fall crafts, hands-on learning demonstrations, and guided hikes while practicing minimum impact on the outdoors."

Activities Include:
- 10:00 AM Language of Nature walk to the summit
- A guided 2-hour hike with Maine Guide and Maine Naturalist Jeanne Christy. - 11:00 AM Maine Wilderness and Rescue guided hike and demonstration of mountain rescue at the Quarry
- 12:00 PM Amazing Adaptations presented by the Maine Center for Wildlife.
- 1:00 PM Nature as my Muse presented by the Maine Center for Wildlife
- 3:00 PM Leave No Trace Principles presented by Maine Leave No Trace Advocate Tom O'Brien
- 3:30 PM Leave No Trace Trail of Treats: A self-guided hike through the Seven Principles
- 5:00 PM Fire lightning with hot dogs and s'mores
- 7:00 PM Outdoor movie

Contact Name: The Park
Contact Phone: (207) 688-4712
Website: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/bradbury_trail_conditions.shtml

Cost:
Free with Park Admission: Adult Maine Resident = $4. Adult Non-Resident = $6. Senior Non-Resident = $2. Children 5-11 years = $1. Maine Seniors and Children under 5 are free.

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineParks
#MaineEvents #Maine #Nature #SpendTimeInNature #NatureBasedLearning
#MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime

#WellsME - Native #NewEngland #Shrubs

Saturday, October 4, 2025,
10:30am – 1:00pm

"Join Boot Boutwell to explore the world of native New England shrubs in autumn!

"Shrubs are a key part of New England landscapes. This program will take a close look at about ten common native New England shrubs, such as high bush blueberry, silky dogwood, sheep laurel, meadowsweet and steeplebush as well as a few non-native invasive shrubs. The program will focus on plant identification as well as fun and interesting #NaturalHistory. We’ll see a plant which colonial Americans used to make candles, a plant whose fruit sea captains used to bring on long voyages to help prevent scurvy, and a plant which the Chippewa used to restore balance in their lives. And as winter is coming and the leaves are going, we’ll also consider some winter identification characteristics. Children ages 10 and up are welcome to register if accompanied by an adult."

Please note: Program fee does not include site admission fee.

Laudholm Members: Free (become a member)
Under 6: Free
Ages 6 to 16: $2
Over 16: $6

Pricing:
Members: $10.00
Non-Members: $13.00

Reservations
Required

FMI and to register:
https://wellsreserve.org/event/77001/native-new-england-shrubs

#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature #NaturePreserve #NatureBasedLearning #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #PlantIdentification #Maine #MaineEvents #LaudholmPreserve

#WellsME - Explore the Shore

Discover secrets of the land, sea and beach by exploring the shore!

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
10:00am – 12:00pm

Reservations: Required
Cost: Free

"Though it isn't always obvious the treasures we find on the beach can tell us stories about the land, the ocean and the beach itself.

"While strolling #LaudholmBeach, we will explore the shore through questions about and investigations of sand, the wrack line and found objects.

"Program will start at the Gazebo with a quick introduction to tides before we head down the trail (~15-20 min walk) to the beach.

"Hats, water, sunscreen, and footwear that works both for the trail and beach are recommended.

"Program duration is about 2 hours and ends at the beach."

FMI and to register:
https://wellsreserve.org/event/78067/explore-the-shore

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturePreserve #Maine #MaineEvents #SpendTimeInNature #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime

Some much-needed #GreenTime today! I also gathered sand for my wildflower project and some #Sweetfern for smudging (that does well even in a drought)! The meadow, however, was looking pretty parched. We need more rain!

#MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #SpendTimeInNature #Maine #Nature #Drought

More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones

September 1, 2025

"Some 31 states and the District of Columbia now restrict students' use of cell phones in schools, according to Education Week."

Read more:
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/01/nx-s1-5495531/more-states-now-ban-cell-phones-in-schools

#MoreQualityTimeLessScreenTime #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #LessScreenTime #BeingPresent #SmartphoneAddiction #SolarPunkSunday

#FullMoon Observation & Yoga on #MountBattie

Division / Program: Parks and Lands
Date: September 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Road Camden, ME 04843
State Park: Camden Hills
Event Type: Nature Exploration

Arrive at 7:00 p.m. at the summit for yoga with Nicole Lazure, Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Bureau of Parks and Lands, then enjoy the full "Corn" Moon from the top of Mount Battie. The gate will be open until 10:00 p.m. Bring your binoculars and telescopes. This is a self-guided viewing.

Contact Name: The Park
Contact Phone: (207) 236-3109
Cost: Programs are free with park admission. Day use: $1.00 ages 5-11, $4.00 Maine residents age 12-64, $6.00 non residents age 12-64, $2.00 non residents 65+; persons under 5 & Maine residents 65+ free

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/discover_history_explore_nature/activities/eventinfo.shtml?id=13215541

#SolarPunkSunday #LunarPunkSunday #MaineParks #MaineEvents
#Maine #Nature #SpendTimeInNature
#NatureBasedLearning #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime