The Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary offers a variety of public programs, field trips, and trainings focused on local science projects, wildlife & natural history, and local/regional cultural history topics. The Sanctuary’s programs are intended to inform our fellow citizens and connect them when possible to further opportunities to learn, become conservation stewards, and engage in meaningful projects.
2023 Evening Nature Paddles on Somes Pond. We will continue to host public paddles by canoe, kayak, and paddle board, as we have in past years starting in June (see more details below). We’ll have a chance to watch the resident loon family, explore the pond, and socialize with each other in a beautiful setting. Bring your own boats and meet on the water. Launch on the Pretty Marsh Road or Oak Hill Road sides of the pond. Feel free to come out beforehand to explore on your own and people can depart whenever they need to. The evening selected each week is based on the best forecast, but is usually Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Typical meeting time is 6:00. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page for specific week postings or contact the Sanctuary at somesmeynell@gmail.com to receive email updates with the latest details.
Thursday Morning Birding/Nature Walks: most Thursday’s we meet at Sanctuary Headquarters or various locations around the island to see what we can find in the natural world and catch up on what the group has been seeing and doing since our last gathering. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page for specific week postings or contact the Sanctuary at somesmeynell@gmail.com to receive email updates with the latest details.
2023 Evening Programs and special field trips are being planned for the summer and early fall seasons. Check back for updates here or on the Sanctuary Facebook Page for specific week postings or contact the Sanctuary at somesmeynell@gmail.com to receive email updates with the latest details.
2019 Spring & Summer Public Programs (Pre-pandemic era!)
2nd Annual Invasive Species Forum
Saturday May 4th, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor.
Presented by the Mount Desert Sustainability Committee, the Land & Garden Preserve, Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary, and Acadia National Park.
- Invasive Forest and Garden Insect Pest Update
- Colleen Teerling, Maine Forest Service Entomologist
- Terrestrial Species Management by Local Land Managers
- Species Identification, Resources for Management Help
- Aquatic Invaders Monitoring / Courtesy Boat Inspection Program
- MDI and Hancock County Survey and Prevention Efforts
- Information Tables and Small Group Discussions
Thursday Morning Birding/Naturalist Walks
Every Thursday through summer, fall, and even into winter, from 9:00 – about 10:30.
Meet at Sanctuary headquarters to explore Sanctuary trails, and sometimes beyond, looking for whatever the group is inspired by and working on our bird ID skills by sight and sound. Join the camaraderie of the group by sharing your recent sightings around the island and growing our collective knowledge of nature. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page or send an inquiry email to be on the list for information on exact times and meeting places.
More Programs and workshops are being lined up for the summer and will be updated here.
2018 Late Summer & Fall Public Programs
Thursday Morning Birding/Naturalist Walks
Every Thursday through summer, fall, and even into winter, from 9:00 – about 10:30.
Meet at Sanctuary headquarters to explore Sanctuary trails, and sometimes beyond, looking for whatever the group is inspired by and working on our bird ID skills by sight and sound. Join the camaraderie of the group by sharing your recent sightings around the island and growing our collective knowledge of nature. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page or send an inquiry email to be on the list for information on exact times and meeting places.
Let nature inspire you – Children’s Art Workshop with Rebekah Raye
August 11th 10:00-12:00 am
Join artist, illustrator, art educator and children’s book author, Rebekah Raye for a morning of observation and inspiration, drawing and painting from nature around the Sanctuary. Rebekah is a wonderful artist and is so great with kids – we are happy to have her coming back this summer! We’ll start out with an informative walk on Sanctuary trails where we will learn about different habitats and sketch what we observe. We’ll then gather at the HQ building to turn our sketches into paintings, expressing our experiences onto paper. Ages 6 ++. All materials provided. Open to families, registration required.
Loon Paddle with Maine Audubon’s Susan Gallo
Wednesday August 15th 1:30-3:30
Bring your canoe or kayak to paddle around Somes Pond with wildlife biologist and loon specialist Susan Gallo. We’ll watch our resident loon pair and learn about their feeding, parenting, and territorial behavior.
Loons Around Maine – Talk with Susan Gallo
Wednesday August 15th 7:00 pm
Learn about the state of Maine’s loons – population trends, survey methods, ongoing threats, research needs, and conservation efforts. Sanctuary Director Billy Helprin will give an update on MDI loons as well.
Almost Full Moon Paddle
Saturday August 25th 6:30 pm
Watch the moon rise over the mountains from the vantage point of kayaks or canoes on Somes Pond. Open your senses to the sights and sounds as we transition from dusk to moonlit night. Before sunset we’ll watch our resident loon pair, identify aquatic plants, and listen to evening bird sounds. Catch up on what has been happening around the pond this summer from Sanctuary staff. Bring your own canoe or kayak and meet on the pond near the island. Please call for details.
Invasive Plant Patrol Training and MDI Lake Surveys
Weekend of September 7th, 8th, 9th at Sanctuary HQ. Survey locations and meeting times to be shared later
Participants will learn how to use field guide keys to help identify suspected invaders, become familiar with common native plants, and practice the skills needed to be an effective early detector. Novices will be paired with experienced “IPPers.” This is an opportunity to develop more highly trained local citizens to help with future survey work in Hancock County. The program will be led by the Lake Stewards of Maine (formerly the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program) and co-hosted by Acadia National Park, Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary and other partners. Group size is limited – please call for details.
Intro to Mushroom Natural History, Identification, and Photography
Friday, September 14th at 7:00 pm for the talk and Sanctuary walk Saturday the 15th 9:00-11:00 am
Maine Coast Heritage Trust Land Steward and Naturalist Kirk Gentalen will join us again to share his enthusiasm for the natural history of mushrooms, their role in ecosystems, interactions with humans, and mushroom photography. Every species is different “so you can never tell what’s going to come up on a fungus walk. Having a group search, find, and really discover the world of fungi is a unique focus for a walk – and there can be discoveries at every turn.” These events are for all interest and knowledge levels.
Space is limited and registration is required.
For more information or to register, please call 244-4027
or email us at somesmeynell@gmail.com
Some examples of past programs include:
Invasive species monitoring and management on Mount Desert Island
Dark Side of the Loon: Documentary film presented by the filmmaker Gail Osherenko
Deep Ecology reading group
Maine’s Butterfly Atlas Project
Medicinal Plants of Maine
Birds of MDI: Past, Present and Future
Aquatic Plant Paddle
Poetry on the Pond
Somesville’s Historic Dams
Landscaping with Nature
Aquatic Invertebrates: Ecology & Monitoring
Loon Appreciation Day
Bald Eagles in Maine
Vernal Pool Ecology
Geology of Mt. Desert Island