The life cycles of many insects and plants are dependent on each other. Blueberries need bees to form fruit, monarchs need milkweed to reproduce. Every insect and plant relationship has a story. We will look at several of these interactions and get a closer view of some insects using field microscopes. Then we will wander the paths and pond edges at Somes Meynell and look for insect signs on plants. Led by Maine Master Naturalists Carol Muth and Karen Zimmermann.

Both graduates of 2017 Maine Master Naturalist Program and avid amateurs, Carol spends her day crawling in ditches following arthropods while Karen can be found dipping in ponds and streams to see anything that squirms, squiggles, or swims. 

Nature Walk with a Focus on Trees, Saturday July 22, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm with Nick Noyes. Rain date will be on July 29 at the same time. Meeting location will be the Acadia Repertory Theater parking lot in Somesville across from the fire station. Registration is required and the walk will be limited to 10-12, children are encouraged to attend with a parent.

This nature walk with Maine Master Naturalist Nick Noyes will focus on trees, their habitats, and information used to recognize leaf structures, bark, twigs and fruit. We will use a Summer Tree Identification Guide as we walk Sanctuary trails along Somes Pond and we will identify and compare the unique features of trees that we find. We will discuss habitats we pass through, examine forest succession, the effect of glaciers on the landscape, and how global warming may be changing Maine’s iconic coastal forests.

Monarchs and Milkweed with Cyrene Slegona, Saturday, August 19 2023, 9:30-12:30, rain date August 20, Somesville.

Learn about the life cycle of Monarch butterflies, including their astonishing migration from Maine to their overwintering sites in Mexico, and the generations that make their way back to Maine. What can we do to help Monarchs survive and thrive? This interactive presentation will address these questions and more. There also will be a short walk to look for them in a nearby stand of milkweed. Bring a magnifying hand lens if you have one!

Event leader is Cyrene Slegona, a Maine Master Naturalist, member of the Maine Entomological Society, and has studied Monarch butterflies in Maine and Mexico. Location: in Somesville, specific site given upon registration. To register, send an email to somesmeynell@gmail.com. Children under 14 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is limited to 14. Rain Date: August 20.

Maine Wonders, Talk with educator Zoe Weil, Thursday, August 24th 2023, 7:00-8:15pm, Somesville Church Parish House

Join us for a presentation by Zoe Weil, President of the Institute for Humane Education. Maine Wonders will take you on a journey into the natural world, where you’ll discover the weird and wild; meet Maine’s loons, seals, and jellyfish; explore amphibian love; and, while learning about metamorphosis and transformation, be transformed yourself into someone who wonders about Maine’s natural wonders as you never have before. Seating and parking are limited so registration is required – please email somesmeynell@gmail.com.

When she’s not writing and giving talks about educating the #SolutionaryGeneration, Zoe is usually exploring nature, photographing and videotaping Maine wonders. She has given six TEDx talks including her acclaimed TEDx, “The World Becomes What You Teach.” She is the author of seven books, including The World Becomes What We Teach: Educating a Generation of Solutionaries and Nautilus silver medal winner Most Good, Least Harm. Zoe was named one of Maine Magazine‘s 50 independent leaders transforming their communities and the state, and is the recipient of the Unity College “Women in Environmental Leadership” award. 

* Parking is limited so carpool if coming with friends [additional parking can be found at the MDI Historical Society Museum at the corner of Oak Hill Rd and Main Street and in front of the Somesville Library by the Mill Pond. From the museum and library you can walk up the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street – it is a little more than 200 yards to the church.

Exploring Lichens on MDI with Grace Bartlett, Ellen Gellerstedt, and Janet Myers, Saturday, September 16 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at SMWS. 

Have you ever wondered about the splotches on trees and rocks? They seem to be everywhere, but what are they? During this walk you will be introduced to the fascinating world of lichens. You will see the different growth forms, learn how they live and grow and even learn how they help human beings. Using a magnifying glass or hand lens (bring your own if you can) you will look closely at these incredible organisms. There will be time to ask questions and reflect on what you found to be most interesting about lichens. The walk will be led by Maine Master Naturalists Grace Bartlett, Ellen Gellerstedt, and Janet Myers. Specific meeting location: TBD, Mount Desert. To register, send an email to somesmeynell@gmail.com. Children under 14 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is limited to 12. Rain Date: September 30.

Pond Life Under the Ice, with Edwin Barkdoll, October 2023 date to be determined..

 

 

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 11^th 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 15^th 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 15^th 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 25^th 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 7^th, 8^th, 9^th 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 14^th at 7:00 pm for the talk and Sanctuary walk Saturday the 15^th 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