THURSDAY, JUNE 18 AT 6:30 PM: “Monarch Butterflies: A Deep Dive into Species Specifics” Zoom Webinar with Chelsea B. Plimpton
Join biologist, native plant enthusiast, and Wild Ones Midcoast Maine board member, Chelsea B. Plimpton, for a fascinating and informative presentation detailing the life of monarch butterflies on Thursday, June 19 at 6:30 PM on Zoom.
Chelsea will teach us about pollination and monarch butterfly species characteristics as well as discuss participation opportunities within several citizen science research projects.
Chelsea will also share information about native milkweed species as well as highlight woody and herbaceous plants that provide nectar for summer breeding and migrating monarch butterflies. Learn what you can do to support monarchs and other pollinators in your own garden and beyond!
This program is on Zoom only. Register by clicking the button below, and you will receive a link in your email when it is time to join.
This program is put on in partnership with Camden Public Library.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 AT 6:00 PM: The Truth About Rodenticides: Expert Panel and Community Q&A at Camden Public Library
DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 23 AT 6:00 PM
LOCATION: AT CAMDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Rodenticide usage for pest control is becoming rampant and has devastating impacts on wildlife. Instead of solving the problem, these poisons are killing wildlife including rodents’ natural predators, as well as pets. Rodents who eat rodenticides from bait boxes are then consumed by predators, who are poisoned in turn.
Homeowners may not even know that their own pest management systems uses rodenticides and are contributing to what has been called “the new DDT.” This begs the urgent question: are rodenticides causing the next Silent Spring?
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine and Camden Public Library are partnering to present “The Truth About Rodenticides,” a community event featuring a panel of experts from around the state who will educate us about rodenticides from their unique perspectives. We will also learn about effective methods of Integrated Pest Management that don’t use these dangerous poisons. Pest management experts will display rodenticide-free rodent control options including snap trap boxes and the Smart Home Defense system, a data driven rodent control technology.
Following brief presentations by each panel member, we will open up the room to Q&A and discussion. The goal of the evening is to spread awareness of this crisis, get up to date on related legislation, learn about alternatives, ask questions, share dialogue, and take a concrete step towards protecting our wildlife. Everyone is welcome.
Experts on our panel will include:
- Jacquie Gage and Heléna Malone of Rodenticide-Free Maine Coalition
- Anthony Erwin, Maine Audubon Policy Advocate
- Don Hoenig, former Maine State Veterinarian
- Avery Berkowitz and Stephanie Lindsell of Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Jennifer Marchigiani of Misfits Rehab
- Jacque Fanning of Warren Brook Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Wildlife ecologist Richard Podolsky
- Local managers of Modern Pest Services, Augusta
The Maine Legislature passed legislation that is a first step in limiting the use of Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) by individuals. However, the reality of the bill (LD 356) is more complex. At this event we will learn about where the bill stands, its harmful loopholes, and why we need to do much more.
Thank you to Jacquie Gage and Heléna Malone of Rodenticide-Free Maine Coalition for inspiring this event.
This program is put on in partnership with Camden Public Library.
SUNDAY, MAY 17: Find Wild Ones Midcoast Maine at Rockland Sunday Stroll!
Find Wild Ones Midcoast Maine at the Rockland Sunday Stroll on Sunday, May 17, 11 AM – 3 PM! This Sunday Stroll’s theme is PLANTS and all about creating pedestrian greenspace.
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine will have a booth on Main Street all about native plants, with resources and more. Learn about native ecology, how to incorporate native plants in your own yard or garden, and how to get involved. Come on by, we’d love to meet you!
SUNDAY STROLL is a monthly event, created by Rockland Rolls and the community, focused on re-envisioning Rockland’s Main Street as a community gathering space. For this event we open Main Street to pedestrians, vendors, artists and performers to inspire and foster sustainability, creativity, community, inclusivity, and wellness through interaction and engagement. This is a 100% community driven event that is free and open to the public. Sunday Stroll is created by a small group of individuals who have a vision for downtown as a gathering place that fosters creativity and engagement.
FRIDAY, MAY 22: Community Garden Party at Penobscot Bay YMCA
Friday, May 22 at 1:00 PM
Location: Penobscot Bay YMCA, 116 Union St in Rockport
Bring a fresh salad or dessert to share and join us for an
afternoon of community, conversation, and learning!
FREE, registration required. Click the button below to register online or visit the Pen Bay YMCA front desk.
Meet Destry Oldham-Sibley of Wild Ones Midcoast Maine and discover the importance and benefits of landscaping with native plants. Learn how choosing native species can support pollinators, improve local ecosystems, conserve water, and create beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor spaces. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, you’ll leave inspired with new ideas for your own landscape.
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine at the Green Home + Energy Show on March 28!
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine will be at the Green Home + Energy Show on Saturday, March 28! Join our president Amy Thomas, restoration ecologist, for an engaging workshop on “How to Transition Your Yard to Natives” at 1:00 PM.
See sample gardens before, during, and after their transition to natives; examples of residential and permaculture gardens; and a meadow restoration. Take part in a seed sowing and growing demonstration and learn how to source quality native plants.
📍 Located at The Point Community Center at 345 Clarks Pond Parkway, in South Portland!
Learn more and get tickets at greenmainehomes.com/workshops
Thank you to the Cissy VD Bryson Fund!
Today we reach across state lines to thank a generous donor. Wild Ones Midcoast Maine is honored to receive a $1,200 grant from the Cissy VD Bryson Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
We are thrilled and will put this gift to good use! Thank you again to the Cissy VD Bryson Fund, at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. Since 1915, we have been at the heart of the civic community, helping donors achieve the greatest philanthropic impact, elevating the work of changemakers across neighborhoods, and bringing people and organizations together to help our region thrive.
Recent Past Events
Join permaculture aficionado and seed starting enthusiast Joan Herzog for her “Successful Seed Starting” on Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 PM in the Picker Room. The program is free although registration is preferred so we know how many folks to expect. Click the button below to sign up!
It’s time! You carefully collected and saved seeds from last year’s crops with high hopes. Your gardening catalogs are dog-eared and your selections have arrived in the mail. You’ve perused the garden center seed racks with anticipation and maybe some deep dread. What do you do now?
Bring a notebook, your questions and seeds to share, if you have them. The library has a Seed Library for your extras.
This program is designed to teach you all you need for early garden season success. Joan Herzog will demonstrate 3 different methods – Winter Sowing, Seed Trays and Soil Blocks. Topics will include the basics of seed selection, growing mediums, temperatures, humidity, light and nutrients. The goal is to increase your confidence and improve your yields! Joan have decades of gleaned garden know-how to pass on. She’s learned the hard way so you don’t have to. You will leave with native Camden Butterfly Mix seeds and your individual plan to sow them.
Joan E Herzog is a Permaculture Garden Designer, retired Registered Dietitian and health columnist with a passion for organic gardening. In five years, she converted a 1/4 acre plain city lot into a lush bird and insect haven with over 85 native plant species and large vegetable and fruit beds. Joan has taught hundreds of nutrition workshops and is thrilled to transition to teaching permaculture garden techniques.