#PortlandME - Lecture - #LivingAtlas for Bioregional Regeneration

#PortlandPublicLibrary, Rines Auditorium
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
5:30pm–7:00pm
Free. Adults 19+.

"Glenn Page will be presenting on a new idea called the 'Living Atlas for Bioregional Regeneration.' The Living Atlas is a framework and a tool to help better understand the natural world. To do so, it behaves like a living being. It grows and adapts with every physical and digital interaction. It takes in all sorts of information from different places and people to create connections between the two. With these connections, the Living Atlas can highlight the causes and solutions of environmental health. The goal is then to be able to show which problems and responses are unique, which can be replicated, and what information is useful to the user.

"The Living Atlas is an emergent, ever-evolving and customizable experience in both digital and physical form. It is a powerful tool for exploring bioregional complexity and for identifying opportunities for deeper engagement. It weaves together ecological, social, financial, cultural, and spiritual dimensions, helping practitioners learn, share, and connect their regeneration efforts for greater collective impact. It is a living system that grows and adapts with those who engage with it."

FMI:
https://portlandme.librarycalendar.com/event/sustainability-series-draft-7984

#SolarPunkSunday #Sustainability #MaineEvents #LibrariesRule #LivingPlanet #Gaia #MotherEarth #BuildingSustainableEnvironments

Save the date! May 27th! #PortlandME - Making #Habitat at Home

Rines Auditorium, #PortlandPublicLibrary
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
5:30pm–7:00pm
Free. Adults 19+.

"This presentation will describe the fundamentals of making habitat at home with #NativePlants. As #ExtremeWeather becomes more common, our spaces can serve as a vital habitat and climate refuge for #wildlife, providing much-needed relief from #HeatWaves, desiccating winds, and heavy downpours.

"#TylerRefsland, Manager of Applied Ecology at the Wild Seed Project (#WSP), has an extensive background in plant ecology, forest restoration, and climate change. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied how land management practices affect the drought resilience and carbon storing capacity of oak-hickory woodlands. Prior to his role at WSP, Tyler was a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University, working in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and Wisconsin DNR to develop seed collection and planting strategies to promote climate resilient forests in the Great Lakes region. He lives in Portland with his partner, their two children, and dog Harriet

"Portland’s Sustainability Series is co-hosted by the Portland Public Library and #MomentumConservation, and is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank. The Portland Sustainability Series presents speakers who share aspects of the work needed to make Maine and our environment more sustainable. Please join us as we engage in these important topics and conversations!"

FMI:
https://portlandme.librarycalendar.com/event/sustainability-series-draft-7986

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineEvents #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningWithNativePlants #ClimateChange

#PortlandME - Posting for an early #SolarPunkSunday (event is Saturday, March 21st).

#KitchenGarden #SeedSwap

Mar 21 2026 Sat
Saturday, March 21, 2026
11:00am–12:00pm

Program Type: Other
Age Group: Adults (Ages 19+)

Event Details

"Calling all seed harvesters and kitchen gardeners! Join us at the #RivertonBranch for our first annual Kitchen Garden Seed Swap. Arrive with any labeled* seeds you'd like to share with your fellow gardeners and leave with what others bring to share. Come for the seeds, stay for the conversation (which we hope will be full of neighbor-to-neighbor tips for beginners and advanced gardeners and seed harvesters alike)!

*Please feel free to drop by the Riverton Branch any time we're open to pick up empty seed packets to fill with your own seeds before bringing them to the swap. If you use your own packets, please make sure to include the following information:

- Seed Type
- Date Collected
- Growing Notes (optional)
- Your name or initials (optional)

Also welcome at the swap are any seed-starting or gardening supplies in good condition that you would like to re-home. Any items left over at the end of the swap will be considered for our #LibraryOfThings or donated.

Leftover seeds will be used to seed our new Riverton Branch Seed Library."

Source:
https://portlandme.librarycalendar.com/event/kitchen-garden-seed-swap-9960

#MaineLibraries #SeedSwaps #BuildingCommunity #PortlandPublicLibrary #PPL #RivertonBranch #SeedLibraries #GardeningForPollinators #SeedExchange #SwapDontBuy #CircularEconomy #GardenToolsSwap

Ooooh... I just found the date for the next #RipeForRepair meetup in #PortlandME, and also some cool events at the #PortlandPublicLibrary (building #Habitat, #SeedSwaps, etc). What #SolarPunk related events are happening where you are? The #SolarPunkSunday team wants to know!!!

#RepairCafes #ToolLibraries #ToySwaps #ClothingSwap #Mending #Workshops #CircularEconomy #Sharing #BuildingCommunity #PracticalSolarPunk

#Maine #CoolingCenters: Find a spot near you

As temperatures rise, communities across Maine open cooling centers to keep residents safe from the elements.
Author: NEWS CENTER Maine Staff
Published: 12:49 PM EDT June 22, 2025
Updated: 3:22 PM EDT June 23, 2025

AUGUSTA, Maine — "Summer has arrived in Maine, bringing rising temperatures and longer days. But when the heat becomes dangerous or oppressive, community cooling centers help support those who need an escape from the heat and humidity.

"The centers are often located in public spaces, such as recreation centers or libraries. They typically open for short-term purposes.

"While the primary purpose is to save lives by getting people out of potentially dangerous heat conditions, cooling centers may also provide charging stations, showers, or food.

"The latest listings for cooling centers are on the Maine Emergency Management Agency's [#MEMA] website. We've included a roundup here as well as additional resources to help you stay safe this summer when temperatures rise.

Androscoggin County

#AuburnME

Community Resource Center
121 Mill St.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or later) Tuesday, June 24
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

Auburn

Auburn Senior Community Center
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Auburn

Hasty Gymnasium at Auburn Recreation
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June

Auburn

Auburn Public Library
49 Spring St.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#DurhamME

Durham Eureka Community Center
606 Hallowell Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LisbonME

Lisbon Police Department
300 Lisbon St.
Open as needed 24/7

#PolandME

A.B. Ricker Memorial Library
1211 Maine St.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, June 25-26
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27

#TurnerME

Turner Fire & Rescue
19 General Turner Hill Road
Available as needed

Aroostook County

#CaribouME

Caribou Wellness Center
55 Bennett Drive
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cumberland County

#BridgtonME

Bridgton Community Center
15 Depot St.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#GorhamME

Baxter Library
71 South St.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#PortlandME

#PortlandPublicLibrary
5 Monument Square
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#ScarboroughME

#ScarboroughPublicLibrary
48 Gorham Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Kennebec County

#AugustaME

Augusta Civic Center, Cumberland Room
76 Community Drive
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#WatervilleME

Waterville City Hall Annex
46 Front St.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Knox County

#RocklandME

#RocklandPublicLibrary
Rockland City Hall
Flanagan Community Center
Open during "normal business hours"

#SouthThomaston

Public Library (former Gilford Butler School)
54 Spruce Head Road
Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#UnionME

Union Town Office
567 Common Road
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Lincoln County

#BoothbayHarborME

Boothbay Harbor Town Office
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 25

#DamariscottaME

Central Lincoln County YMCA
575 Maine St.
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 23-27

#NewcastleME

Newcastle Fire Station Community Room
86 River Road
Closes at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23

Oxford County

#CantonME

Town of Canton Meeting Room
94 Turner Street
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
8 a.m. to noon Tuesday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. to noon Friday

Piscataquis County

#DoverFoxcroftME

Dover-Foxcroft Town Office, Community Room
48 Norton Avenue
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Sagadahoc County

#TopshamME

Topsham Municipal Building, Russel Room
100 Main St.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

York County

#AlfredME

Parsonsfield Town Office
634 North Road
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#BerwickME

Berwick Fire Department
3 Public Safety Way
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BiddefordME

#McArthurLibrary
270 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BuxtonME

Buxton Town Office
185 Portland Road
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#KennebunkME

Kennebunk Free Library
112 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#KennebunkportME

Church on the Cape
3 Langsford Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Kennebunkport

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library
18 Maine St.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LebanonME

North Lebanon Second Baptist Church
259 Bakers Grant Road
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LimingtonME

Limington Municipal Complex
425 Sokokis Ave.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#NorthBerwickME

D.A. Hurd Library
51 High St.
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 23
1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

#SacoME

Saco Community Center
75 Franklin St.
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#WaterboroME

Waterboro Town Hall
24 Townhouse Road
Noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

Waterboro

#WaterboroPublicLibrary
187 Main St.
Noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#YorkME

York Public Library
15 Long Sands Road
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#HomelessShelters

"State and local resources are available for people who are experiencing homelessness or are in need of housing or heating support. Link below for more information.

"For direct assistance to find resources available near you, dial 211 or call 1-877-463-6207; text your ZIP code to 898-211; or email [email protected].
What are the risks?

"According to the Maine Emergency Management Agency, heat-related illnesses in the state more often occur when temperatures reach the mid-80s or higher.

“Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person's body temperature rises faster "

Source:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/cooling-centers-heat-stroke-exhaustion-mema-emergency-short-term-shelter/97-d2ddaac2-bbea-4dc8-833f-c78e7dc788f4

MEMA list of Cooling Centers:
https://www.maine.gov/mema/response-recovery/mass-care

Emergency shelters for the #Unhoused:
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/emergency-shelters

#MEWx #ExtremeHeat #MaineWx #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #Heatwave #Heatwaves #StayingCool #MaineClimateDiary #ClimateDiary
#Heatwave #Heatwaves #Maine #CoolingCenters #StayCool #CommunityResources

Today on the Maine coast (Monday, June 23rd), there is a seabreeze, so Portland is 10 degrees cooler (72°F , 22.2°C ) than it is inland (83°F , 28.3°C ). However tomorrow (June 24th), there won't be a seabreeze, and Portland is predicted to hit a high of 98°F (36.7°C )! The same as it is inland. No relief at the beach!

Also, the #PortlandPublicLibrary's downtown location (Monument Square) has just been declared an official "cooling center" (there may be others in different locations -- I'll see what I can find).

#MaineClimateDiary #ClimateDiary #Heatwave #Heatwaves #ClimateChange #Maine #CoolingCenters #StayCool

The #PortlandPublicLibrary brought out the #bookmobile -- and folks carried signs with #BannedBooks! Good for them!

#LibrariesRules #MainePride #PrideParade #PortlandME #PortlandMaine