Art work by Kristy Cunnane, 2020
A Steward’s Almanac: A Year of Caring for the Land, 2021
Blue Hill Heritage Trust is excited to announce this new program series for 2021! Offering monthly 2 hour hands-on workshops* to learn stewardship skills relevant to your backyard and beyond, you can register for one or for them all though space will be limited. We have an incredible cast of workshop leaders who will share their knowledge and help us all become better caretakers of the place we call home.
*While the COVID spike continues in Maine the workshops will be a combination of video recording and zoom Q and A. As soon as we can we will return to the original workshop format of outdoors and hands-on!
Registration might look different each month depending on whether we host virtual or in person workshops due to COVID. Please check each month’s workshop to learn how to sign up. Workshops will be open for registration one month in advance. Dates will be announced as they approach.
Monthly Workshops
JANUARY: “Backyard Forest Management” with Sandy Walczyk, Blue Hill Heritage Trust
Description: This workshop will introduce you to the trees in your own backyard, and give you some ideas for how you might learn about, manage and enjoy them. We will look at winter tree identification for some common Maine trees, practice measuring tree diameters and heights, and talk about forest ecology and development. We will go over forest products and other ecosystem services, and talk about how and why people harvest wood and other forest resources. We will also talk about how wildlife use our forests, the basics of firewood harvesting and use, and whatever other questions you have about trees and forest management in your backyard or woodlot.
Video Recording Available Jan 19th: Backyard Forest Management
Zoom Link for Q and A Session with Sandy Jan 26th 5-6pm
Other workshops dates and registration to be announced soon!
FEBRUARY: “Winter Smelt Fishing” with Brett Ciccotelli, Downeast Salmon Federation
MARCH: “Caring for the Wild Blueberries” with Nicolas Lindholm and Ruthie Fiske, Blue Hill Berries
APRIL: “Composting for Community” with Kate Tompkins, Chickadee Compost
MAY: “Strategies for Improving your Soil” with Cathy Rees and Avy Claire, Native Gardens of Blue Hill
JUNE: “Sustainable Foraging & DIY Herbal Remedy Making” with Brighid Doherty, Solidago School of Herbalism
JULY: “Intertidal Creatures as Food and Habitat” with Jessica Muhlin and Sarah O’Malley from Maine Maritime Academy
AUGUST: “Creating an Edible Forest” with Hannah and Colby from Way of the Earth School
SEPTEMBER: “Winter Apple Care” with CJ Walke of MOFGA
OCTOBER: “Ethical Hunting Practices” with Penny and Harold Hatch, Local Sportsmen
NOVEMBER: “Cranberry Dreaming: Bringing Back a Constructed Cranberry Bog for Productivity and Ecological Function” with Kipp Quinby, Red Bog
DECEMBER: “Pollarding and Coppicing” with Hannah and Colby from Way of the Earth School