Froglife: Wildlife Guides And Booklets
https://www.froglife.org/wildlife-at-home/

#SolarPunkSunday #Ponds #Amphibians #Reptiles #NatureBasedLearning #Nature #BioDiversity #FrogLife #WildLife #Frogs #Toads #Newts #Snakes #Lizards

#CommunityGardens #NewZealand / #Aotearoa

"#CommunityGardening is where a single pieces of land is gardened collectively by a group of people.

The purpose and benefits of community gardens can be:

- Provides fresh healthy food.
- Creates a sense of community in local areas.
- Can reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness for local residents.
- Gives people healthy exercise in fresh air.
- Can improve the neighbourhood environment.
- Can give participants a sense of connection to nature, that can be therapeutic and relaxing creating a sense of well being.
- Can be used as an educational opportunity for children and adults to understand and appreciate nature and how food can be produced.
- Can reduce the use of fossil fuel and associated CO2 emissions, by saving people from driving to the supermarket to buy food, and reducing the amount of food needed to be transported significant distances to markets.
- Saves money for participants who don’t have to buy so much food.

Ownership.

"The land is typically publicly owned by the local council. Although it may be privately owned land that is used. The management is often by a community organisation that elects members to perform the various management roles. Sometimes a security fence with access restricted to members of the collective is required to reduce theft and vandalism problems.

Types of gardens.

"Most community gardens are aimed at food production. But there are also collectives that are aimed at #HabitatRestoration with #NativePlants for conservation and recreation purposes. Also some gardens are more for amenity recreational uses and can include art such as sculpture, garden furniture for seating, and #ChildrensPlay areas. Some combine all of these features, so require careful planning to achieve these all these aims. There are also groups such as #GreenGuerrillas of #NewYork who started out doing a more instant type of garden that may not be long lasting, but the organisation has developed and taken on larger long term projects."

Learn more:
https://gardeningnz.com/community-gardens-nz/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureBasedLearning #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO

Well, darn. I forgot that editing the poll undid the responses. It was at 52% for #Aotearoa / #NewZealand, so that's what it will be.

It seems that focusing on a specific location (#PortlandOR) and posting about #SolarPunk -related resources was a big hit last week. Question for #SolarPunkSunday folks... Which location would you like me to focus on next? Throwing some options out there, but feel free to add your own suggestions!

#RepairCafes #LibrariesOfThings #MutualAid #CommunityGardens #ToyLibraries #ToolLibraries #NatureBasedLearning

#PortlandME - Growing Worms, Growing Garden

Thursday, July 2, 2026
10:30am–11:00am

#BurbankBranch
377 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME 04103

Program Type: Special Events, Summer Reading
Age Group: Babies-Preschool (Ages 0-5)
Free

"Discover how living things around us grow with help from each other. Meet live red wiggler worms, use dramatic play to explore what it’s like to be a worm, and learn how they help the plants around them. This program is designed for a preschool audience by the presenter.

Disclaimer(s) - Outdoor Event

Please note that this event will take place outdoors. We encourage you to bring sunscreen, water, and weather-appropriate clothing. Rain or snow dates will be determined and communicated by staff if needed. Service dogs are welcome, but for the safety and comfort of all guests, we do not allow pets at outdoor events. Our Service Animal Guideline is available on our website."

FMI:
https://portlandme.librarycalendar.com/event/growing-worms-growing-garden-11321

#SolarPunkSunday #ChildrensGardening #PortlandPublicLibrary #ChildrensEvents #MaineEvents #MaineLibraries #LibrariesRule! #LibraryGardens #NatureBasedLearning

Well, I finally got around to sharing the #MaineAudubon #NatureExplorerBackpacks info with the #LibraryOfThings group. It seems to be a big hit! Good!

"This is a great resource!

Thanks for sharing,

Chris"

#SolarPunkSunday #LibraryOfThings #SpendTimeOutdoors #SpendTimeInNature #LibrariesRule #Audubon #NatureBasedLearning #CitizenScience #NatureObservations

#WellsME - Springtime #ForestForay

Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Explore the signs of late spring with Maine Master Naturalist Eileen Willard!

Reservations Required

To reserve your space, please email [email protected] or call (207) 646-1555 x116.

Pricing

- Members: $8.00
- Non-Members: $10.00

"Join us to explore seasonal signs of late spring with trees and shrubs leafing out and flowering. All activity in plants and animals speeds up with increases in sunlight intensity. We will examine some of the important interactions that benefit plants and animals with seasonal spring changes, as well as hints for tree identification.

This program will be led by experienced Reserve docent, naturalist and nature writer Eileen Willard, who spent 15 years as a University of New Hampshire lab instructor in dendrology (study of trees) and in 2022 completed her Maine Master Naturalist certification. Ages 12 and up."

FMI and to register:
https://wellsreserve.org/event/87129/springtime-forest-foray

#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature #TreeIdentification #NatureBasedLearning #WellsReserveAtLaudholm #MaineEvents

#HoldenME - #StreamExplorers Workshop at #FieldsPond

April 25 from 10:00 am-12 pm

Location: 216 Fields Pond Rd. Holden, ME

Free, registration required.

"Do you want to volunteer your time to care for your local streams? Do you want to learn more about the critters that live in the water? Come and practice your sampling methods and #macroinvertebrate identification skills at this in-person training workshop. Learn how to sample a stream for science and identify the organisms you find, to help professional scientists monitor water quality. Marsh and Stream Explorers is our community science project featuring #AquaticInsects and what they can tell us about #WildlifeHabitat and #WaterQuality. Educational resources for classroom teachers will be available."

FMI and to register:
https://maineaudubon.org/events/stream-explorers-fields-pond/

#SolarPunkSunday #CitizenScience
#NatureBasedLearning #StreamExplorers #WaterIsLife #ClimateChange #CitizenScientists #ObservingNature

#WestbrookME - Marsh and Stream Explorers Field Training in Westbrook

April 25 from 9:30 am-12 pm

Location: #MillBrookPreserve, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Westbrook

Free, registration required.

"Curious about what critters live in your local streams and freshwater marshes? Come join #MaineAudubon and #MaineDEP for a fun morning of catching and identifying #macroinvertebrates at Mill Brook Preserve! Get hands-on training and learn how you can contribute to an important community science project that acts as a screening tool for Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water quality assessments. Be prepared to wade into shallow water as you net and handle macroinvertebrates!

"Marsh and Stream Explorers is a water quality monitoring project that trains volunteers to survey streams and freshwater marshes for large #AquaticInsects (macroinvertebrates) which are sensitive to environmental stressors and can be indicators of #wetland health. After this training session, you’ll have the tools to choose and survey your own stream or freshwater marsh and contribute invaluable data to Maine’s water quality monitoring efforts. If you’re interested in getting outdoors, learning something new, and protecting your local #watershed, this community science project is for you!

"We will meet at the parking area for the Northern Trailhead and go on a short walk from there. Wear clothes and shoes you’re comfortable walking in and potentially getting wet, waders or muckboots are encouraged and some may be provided."

FMI and to register:
https://maineaudubon.org/events/marsh-and-stream-explorers-field-training-in-westbrook/

#SolarPunkSunday #CitizenScience
#NatureBasedLearning #MarshExplorers #StreamExplorers #WaterIsLife #ClimateChange #CitizenScientists #ObservingNature

#Webinar - #Marsh and #Stream Explorers: A Treasure Hunt to Find Healthy Freshwater #Habitats in #Maine

Apr 22 2026
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

"Curious about what critters live in your local streams and freshwater marshes? Come learn about Maine Marsh and Stream Explorers, a collaborative #CommunityScience project between #MaineAudubon and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (#MEDEP). This program trains volunteers to survey for #macroinvertebrates, or large #AquaticInsects, in streams and freshwater #marshes statewide. With many macroinvertebrates sensitive to temperature, #pollutants, and other environmental stressors, their presence or absence serve as an important indicator of overall wetland health. This data then becomes an invaluable screening tool for #MaineDEP to prioritize where more-indepth water quality assessments should be conducted.

"In this webinar you’ll learn about what the Marsh and Stream Explorers project has accomplished and its impact on water quality monitoring statewide. We’ll look at our overall results, share our successes, and talk about future goals of the project. If you’re interested in getting outdoors, learning something new, and protecting your local watershed, this community science project is for you! Come learn more about how you can get involved. In-person field training for survey techniques to follow."

FMI and to register:
https://maineaudubon.org/events/marsh-and-stream-explorers-a-treasure-hunt-to-find-healthy-freshwater-habitats-in-maine/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineAudubon #OnlineEvents #CitizenScience #NatureBasedLearning #MarshExplorers #StreamExplorers #WaterIsLife #ClimateChange #CitizenScientists #ObservingNature

#WellsME - #EarthDay Celebration

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:00am – 2:00pm
#WellsReserve at #Laudholm

Reservations Not Required
Cost: Free

"Join us for a beach clean-up, visit from a humpback whale, seed planting and more in celebration of beautiful planet Earth.

Scheduled Activities:

8:30-10am: Just added! Bird Walk with York County #Audubon

Meet at the Gazebo and join for a walk to see some of the newly arrived early migrants! We’ll meet at 8:30am at the gazebo beside the main house. Please bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll have some pairs to lend if you don’t.

10am-12pm: Beach Clean-up

Walk the half mile down to Laudholm Beach to help pick up litter. Be an active Earth steward! We will meet at the gazebo just outside the Visitor Center to walk to the beach as a group.

12-2pm: Engaging Earth Activities

- #Pollinator Scavenger Hunt
- #SeedPlanting with Maine Master Gardeners
- Leaf Printing
- Earth Pledges

1-2pm: Within the Whale

Celebrate Earth Day by stepping inside one of the ocean’s most important animals! Join Within the Whale for an immersive experience where participants explore the inside of a life-size inflatable humpback whale and discover how whales support healthy oceans and a thriving planet. Through hands-on learning and engaging activities, you’ll learn how the survival of whales is connected to Earth’s ecosystems, and what we can all do to protect them. Perfect for curious learners of all ages who want to deepen their connection to our blue planet this Earth Day."

https://wellsreserve.org/event/83311/earth-day-celebration

#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #MaineEvents #SpendTimeInNature #NatureBasedLearning #BeachCleanups