Maine’s Native Toads and Frogs are seldom thought of but provide a vital role in the stability of our natural resources as an indicator species. Through this presentation, Maine Master Naturalist Paul Powers explores the life cycles of frogs, fun facts about frogs, their seasonal activities, their State Status in Maine and what we can do to live in balance with our native frogs. Paul grew up in Pennsylvania and has always been captivated by nature and wildlife. He has been a wildlife photographer for the past 20 years which has taken him to many places and allowed him to become involved in many environmental projects. Paul uses his photography as an educational tool and donates many of his works to centers and institutions to promote preservation of our wildlife and raise funds for rehabilitation. He has also furthered his education by becoming certified as an Environmental Educator and a Maine Master Naturalist. Paul now resides in Maine with his wife and three dogs and travels the state working with organizations to promote living in harmony with our wildlife. Friends from the Field webinars take place LIVE on Thursdays from 4-5pm! We will record the webinar so that if you wish to view but can’t participate at that time, the presentation will be available to you on our websites and social media. Use the link below to REGISTER for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_KmSSIVN1Q4SnBBoa2xJ17w Email questions to Landere: landere@bluehillheritagetrust.org
Strategies for Improving your Soil with Cathy Rees and Avy Claire
Strategies for Improving your Soil with Cathy Rees and Avy Claire
May 8, 2021 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cathy Rees and Avy Claire from the Native Gardens of Blue Hill are the workshop leaders for A Steward's Almanac: A Year of Caring for the Land for the month of May! This is an IN PERSON event at the Native Gardens in Blue Hill and spaces are limited so email landere@bluehillheritagetrust.org to sign up! In this workshop we will cover topics related to using readily available materials on your site to restore or improve your soils. We will demonstrate strategies such as managing brush and leaves, creating habitat berms, using soil building plants, and applying compost tea. Participants will understand more deeply the way that nature recycles nutrients, and be equipped to improve soils at home. Cathy Rees has worked for more than 25 years creating and maintaining gardens. She has also been doing ecological consulting for parks, forests, land trusts, and private individuals during that time. Her familiarization with the native flora has inspired the creative use of natives in the garden and led her to cofound Native Gardens of Blue Hill in 2015. Avy Claire has been designing and maintaining garden landscapes for the past 30 years. Her practice is built upon an understanding that gardening is a collaboration with nature, an understanding she shares with her clients and the many young gardeners she has employed and trained. In 2015 she co-founded Native Gardens of Blue Hill to promote the use of native plants and ecological garden practices in designed landscapes to the larger community. Check our events page for more information about this series: https://bluehillheritagetrust.org/a-stewards-almanac-a-year-of-caring-for-the-land-2021/?fbclid=IwAR33AnTw6MspwzQxVnSz48MQNKTGgqh9xT6A5DiiLT2O3xG8ywQS2xvVlgY
This talk will introduce the diversity of wild bees found in Maine. We will explore their biology, plant associations and conservation. Sara Bushmann is a bee biologist, ecologist, and teacher who lives and works along the coast of Downeast Maine. Friends from the Field webinars take place LIVE on Thursdays from 4-5pm! We will record the webinar so that if you wish to view but can’t participate at that time, the presentation will be available to you on our websites and social media. Use the link below to REGISTER for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN__6qHTLKrRuqF_3dhRcEq7A Email questions to Landere: landere@bluehillheritagetrust.org
Behind every special conservation property or trail, there is a story and cast of characters. Join BHHT staff and volunteers for a lively discussion of the conservation area around Patten Stream in honor of the 5th Anniversary of the Alewife Restoration Project that was completed there in 2016.  Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_khgLZp-pQb2ayW9VCUTyXAÂ
This was a live conversation with BHHT's Hans Carlson, local author and BHHT volunteer Susan Shetterly, and others. There will be time for questions from the audience as well. The Story of Place series will cover several BHHT conserved properties, as well as other places of significance on the peninsula.
To make a donation and support the work of Blue Hill Heritage Trust, or to learn more about our programs, trails, and conservation efforts, please visit www.bluehillheritagetrust.org
*The Story of Place, dedicated to the memory of a dear friend and local historian Bob Slaven. This series will be a celebration of some of the most treasured places on the Blue Hill Peninsula. Bob’s infectious love of this place, and desire to know “the story” of the peninsula inspired this oral history project
Kids are invited to check out Wild Sun Catchers online on Wednesday, May 19 at 2:00 PM on the library website at https://www.bhpl.net/wildsuncatchers/. The video will be available for viewing after the premiere at 2 PM. Join Landere Naisbitt from Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Claire Malina from the Blue Hill Public Library for an online workshop on Apple and Shadbush blossoms. Landere will discuss the ecology of these plants and Claire will share from the book When the Shadbush Blooms by Carla Messinger and Susan Katz and illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden. This month, we will be joined by local artist and community member, Kirsten Rickert, who will demonstrate how to make a May Crown with spring blossoms. This month, register with our interactive calendar to reserve a kit with the materials needed for the project demonstrated in the video. Kits are free and will be available at the library starting Tues. May 18 but registration is required for each participant and can be completed by calling the library at 374-5515 or using the calendar at: https://bhpl.libcal.com/event/7753759 Wild Sun Catchers is a monthly program for kids and families that celebrates the wild plants of the Blue Hill Peninsula, with focus on a different plant each month. This program is free and is co-sponsored by the Blue Hill Library and Blue Hill Heritage Trust. For more information, email Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net.
