Scarborough Land Trust

Contemplative Winter Walk
2024-02-04 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
The Contemplative Winter Walk is part of a year-long series of contemplative nature walks that honor the seasons and nurture connection with the natural world.Your imagination will be sparked as we learn about animal tracks and signs in winter. We’ll talk about the animals and birds that call Pleasant Hill Preserve home, and their cold weather behaviors. We’ll also engage in contemplative practice, opening our minds and hearts as we relate to an alive and wise landscape.This walk will be led by Nicole Diroff, a Maine Master Naturalist, United Church of Christ minister, and Program Director at The BTS Center, focused on spiritual leadership in a climate-changed world.Families with children age 8 and older are welcome to attend. Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for the entire time. Spikes and snow pants are recommended.
Note SLT’s Liability and Photo Release Form

Winter Women's Walk
2024-01-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Libby River Preserve, 320 Black Point Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Come join fellow women who enjoy the outdoors and have a desire to walk the wonderful open spaces Scarborough Land Trust has committed to preserving. Women are twice as likely as men to feel uncomfortable walking alone, so a suggestion was made that we explore a women’s walking group or series of events.
These will be leisurely walks averaging 45-60 mins in length. Much of the terrain will be flat (either dirt or grass surfaces) but expect that there will brief uphill stretches, wood crossings for boggy areas, and some uneven ground (rocks, tree roots). We recommend bringing micro spikes or other traction aids for shoes to allow for better stability, but we will also have a few sets to lend out. And if there’s been recent snow, snowshoes are welcome.
We are intending to keep this a monthly event through the winter, as we had such positive feedback on the initial pilot walks.
Although SLT properties are dog friendly, we are asking that you not bring dogs to this event.

Winter Tree ID Walk
2024-01-21 13:30 - 15:00 | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
In Maine, our trees are leafless for half of the year or more, so we must find other clues to tell them apart when they are dormant. On this walk we will learn to identify common trees by their buds, twigs, bark, and structure.

Andy Kapinos is a Field Naturalist at Maine Audubon. Originally from Western Massachusetts, he has worked previously as a high school teacher of Nature Study and Birding, and studied Agroecology at the Swedish Agricultural University and Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences at UMass – Amherst. His interests include birds, native plants, ethnobotany, ecology, and the intersections therein. He also enjoys cooking, playing music, and hiking with his dog Rosie.

Coastal Birding with Andrew Mackie
2024-01-20 09:00 - 10:30 | Ferry Beach, 50 Ferry Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join Andrew Mackie, SLT’s Executive Director, for a winter walk along the coast to look for some of our avian winter residents, including Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter and more. Binoculars and warm clothes are suggested. Andrew will have his spotting scope for use by the group. All individuals interested in learning more about birds and winter ecology are welcome, no previous birding experience required.
Location: Ferry Beach, Scarborough

Pre registration required.

Emerald Ash Borer in Maine
2024-01-11 16:00 - 17:30 | Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
The Scarborough Land Trust (SLT) and Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW) and the Wild Seed Project will present on the current state of Ash Trees and the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer in Maine, what these organizations are doing to conserve Ash trees, and how community members can help.

Presenter Bios:
Emily Francis (she/her) is a UMaine PhD candidate with a research focus on human dimensions of natural resources, specifically related to prioritizing Tribal Nations involvement in planning and decision making to solutions of “wicked problems”. Her final research project brings together the network of people and organizations working to save ash against EAB in Maine and beyond through a social networking analysis (SNA) accompanied by knowledge-sharing with basket makers.
Samantha Wolf (she/her) is the Stewardship Director for SLT, has undergone virtual and in-person ash collection and Wabanaki Cultural trainings presented by APCAW, and has coordinated volunteers through SLT for Ash ID and seed collection on Scarborough Land Trust preserves.
Tyler Everett is a citizen of Mi’kmaq Nation. His research prioritizes methodologies that result in Tribal led science. He is a PhD student in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine and his current research focuses on the impacts of emerald ash borer (EAB) on Tribal ash resources and identifying innovative management and mitigation strategies for this forest health issue that Tribal Nation partners support and have interest in better understanding.
Ella McDonald (she/they) is a non-native Master’s student in Ecology and Environmental Science interested in how to facilitate respectful and effective cross cultural collaborations for the future of land, forests, and water. They helped facilitate the co-creation of the APCAW website and the APCAW training series of 2023-2024.
Emily Baisden joined the Wild Seed Project in 2022 as the Seed Program Manager. Emily served as Entomologist and Educator at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She has an extensive background in native horticulture and environmental education, and focuses largely on using native plants to support food webs and biodiversity. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of New England and an MS in Entomology from the University of Delaware.
Register Here

POSTPONED - Winter Wildlife Tracks
2024-01-06 13:00 - 17:00
Join Samantha Wolf, SLT’s Stewardship Director, for a workshop on identifying wildlife tracks! We will practice identifying the parts of the track and look for common species.
Please wear boots and dress weather appropriately.

Location TBD

Story Time at the Scarborough Public Library
2024-01-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join Scarborough Land Trust educator Kelly Pietrzak to celebrate daylight returning. By the end of the week, our mornings will start to get brighter, earlier! Let’s celebrate with stories, movement, and a luminaria craft. Bring a clean glass jar, if you have one, for the craft. Free to attend.

Women's Walk
2023-12-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Come join fellow women who enjoy the outdoors and have a desire to walk the wonderful open spaces Scarborough Land Trust has committed to preserving. Women are twice as likely as men to feel uncomfortable walking alone, so a suggestion was made that we explore a women’s walking group or series of events.
These will be leisurely walks averaging 45-60 mins in length. Much of the terrain will be flat (either dirt or grass surfaces) but expect that there will brief uphill stretches, wood crossings for boggy areas, and some uneven ground (rocks, tree roots). Trails could be wet with dew or muddy if there have been recent rains, although we will reschedule if inclement weather is forecasted during the event itself. As always, we recommend wearing long pants, comfortable footwear, and applying bug spray. Remain tick and insect aware.
Although SLT properties are dog friendly, we are asking that you not bring dogs to this event.

Tour of The Night Sky
2023-12-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-11-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Fuller Farm Preserve, 309 Broadturn Rd #299, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join Maine amateur astronomer James Shields for a night sky tour of the constellations.
We will discuss the lore behind the constellations and how the ancients used the night sky to tell time, the start of the seasons, and navigate. We will also be using telescopes to view objects in the sky such as Orion’s Nebula, galaxies, and star clusters.
Fuller Farm offers a close-by opportunity to be farther away from light pollution so we can get a clearer view of the stars. Dress warm and be prepared for the temperature to drop after dark. It is also recommended that you bring a chair to sit on, a blanket, a red light flashlight, and a pair of binoculars if you have them. If you don’t have a red light flashlight, we can cover a flashlight with red cellophane.

Speaker: How the Personalities of Small Mammals Shape Forest Growth
2023-11-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Scarborough Town Hall, 259 US-1, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
How the Personalities of Small Mammals Shape the Growth of Forests

Scarborough Town Hall Chambers
259 US-1, Scarborough, ME

We all know our cats and dogs have personalities, but have you ever wondered about the squirrels in your backyard? How would you evaluate personality traits in squirrels, mice, or voles and why would you bother?
These small mammals play an important but often unseen role in forest regeneration and the movement of trees, dispersing the seeds of the towering forests here in Maine. Personality in the mice and voles of our forests has consequences for where small mammals are living, how they are foraging, and what they are doing with the seeds they find, influencing forest regeneration. Small mammals with contrasting personality traits are contributing to ecosystem services such as seed dispersal in different ways.
Land-use change, such as forest management or urbanization, and climate change are also at work altering the composition of forests and the distribution of personality traits within populations. Researchers at Alessio Mortelliti’s lab at University of Maine are investigating the impact of small mammal personality on several ecological processes that shape the forest landscape. Come hear PhD candidate, Maisie Merz, talk about the interesting and important work and that she and the research team are doing right here in Maine.

Women's Walk
2023-11-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Fuller Farm Preserve, 309 Broadturn Rd #299, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Women’s Walk
Come join fellow women who enjoy the outdoors and have a desire to walk the wonderful open spaces Scarborough Land Trust has committed to preserving. Women are twice as likely as men to feel uncomfortable walking alone, so a suggestion was made that we explore a women’s walking group or series of events. SLT volunteers will be hosting two pilot walks during October/November at area preserves to explore interest and what days/times might work best for this sort of activity.
These will be leisurely walks averaging 45-60 mins in length. Much of the terrain will be flat (either dirt or grass surfaces) but expect that there will brief uphill stretches, wood crossings for boggy areas, and some uneven ground (rocks, tree roots). Trails could be wet with dew or muddy if there have been recent rains, although we will reschedule if inclement weather is forecasted during the event itself. As always, we recommend wearing long pants, comfortable footwear, and applying bug spray. Remain tick and insect aware.
Although SLT properties are dog friendly, we are asking that you not bring dogs to this event.
We look forward to your participation and feedback to inform our future planning!

This is a free event, however, registration is encouraged.
October 28th, Pleasant Hill Preserve, 10-11AM
November 4th, Fuller Farm, 10-11AM

Conservation Speaker Series: Protecting Forests & Connected Habitat
2023-11-02 18:30 - 20:00
The Scarborough Conservation Commission, Scarborough Land Trust, Scarborough Public Library, and Friends of Scarborough Marsh invite you to learn about how our critical natural resources may be impacted in the future and how groups are working to protect them.
The third part of the Series will be November 2, 2023, 6:30 pm at the Scarborough Public Library. Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged through the library. Click Here to Register

Protecting Forests & Connected Habitat, with Sally Stockwell, Maine Audubon.
Maine has a lot of forestland, which we sometimes take for granted. But did you know our forests are globally significant? Come learn about the important role they play for wildlife, biodiversity and climate, and the special nature of older forests for fish, wildlife, carbon storage, and high-quality timber.

Costumes and Apple Pressing
2023-10-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Costumes and Apple Pressing

Join us at the library for story time, crafts, and apple pressing – all in costume! Kids can wear their Halloween costume and have a turn dumping apples in and cranking the press to make our own apple cider. Be sure to bring a cup for sampling. Also, if anyone wants the pressed apple “meat” it makes a great base for homemade fruit leather and will be up for grabs!

Apples are donated by Brackett’s Orchard (thank you!!!) so no need to bring any.

Registration encouraged.

Women's Walk
2023-10-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States

Conservation Options for Your Property
2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Are you interested in conserving your property into the future? Do you want to ensure that special natural areas or certain uses, such as farming or forestry, won’t be lost to development? Join Scott Kunkler, Conservation Director of Scarborough Land Trust, for a discussion about the different options you have available to create a legacy for your property in the way you envision.
This discussion will take place in partnership with the Scarborough Public Library on Thursday, October 19th at 7 PM.
Registration Preferred

Apple Pressing
2023-10-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Portland Forest Playgroup

Join us at Scarborough Memorial Park for apple pressing! Kids can have a turn dumping apples in and cranking the press to make our own apple cider. Be sure to bring a cup for sampling. If anyone wants the pressed apple “meat” it makes a great base for homemade fruit leather and will be up for grabs!
Apples are donated by Brackett’s Orchard (thank you!!!) so no need to bring any.

Registration encouraged.

Migratory Bird Walk
2023-10-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Blue Point Preserve, 5 Seaveys Landing Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join local birder Brad Woodward at Libby River Preserve for a morning migratory bird walk.
Bring binoculars to easily spot the faraway birds. Don’t forget water, a snack, layers, sunscreen, and insect repellent!
This program is suitable for all ages, however, the total distance walked will be over a mile.
Pre-registration is required.
Note SLT’s Liability and Photo Release Form

Conservation Speaker Series: Scarborough Marsh & Sea Level Rise
2023-10-05 18:30 | Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
The Scarborough Conservation Commission, Scarborough Land Trust, Scarborough Public Library, and Friends of Scarborough Marsh invite you to learn about how our critical natural resources may be impacted in the future and how groups are working to protect them.
The second part of the Series will be October 5, 2023, 6:30 pm at the Scarborough Public Library. Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged through the library. Click Here to Register

Scarborough Marsh & Sea Level Rise, with Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey, and Kristen Puryear, Maine Natural Areas Program.
The Scarborough Conservation Commission, Scarborough Land Trust, Scarborough Public Library, and Friends of Scarborough Marsh invite you to learn about how our critical natural resources may be impacted in the future and how groups are working to protect them.
Pete & Kristen will discuss the monitoring and measurement methods they use to predict the potential impacts of climate change on Maine’s and Scarborough’s tidal marshes, and possible ways to manage our shoreland in the face of more intense storms and sea level rise.

Contemplative Fall Walk
2023-10-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
The Contemplative Fall Walk is part of a year-long series of contemplative nature walks that honor the seasons and nurture connection with the natural world.

A celebration of trees in fall, this walk balances naturalist knowledge with gratitude and reflection. Learn about the Elm tree that lives next to the Pleasant Hill Preserve parking lot, listen to the whispers of the wisdom of the forest, and practice pausing to appreciate fall wonders.

This walk will be led by Nicole Diroff, a Maine Master Naturalist, United Church of Christ minister, and Program Director at The BTS Center, focused on spiritual leadership in a climate-changed world.

Families with children age 8 and older are welcome to attend. Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for the entire time. Sunscreen and tick preventatives are recommended.

Morning Yoga at Broadturn Farm
2023-10-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Broadturn Farm
Join instructor Heather Guglielmo for a peaceful morning of yoga among the flowers at Broadturn Farm.
Heather is from NY & NH and fell in love with Maine and stayed. She started her yoga practice about eight years ago, and just graduated with her RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training with the Fluid Yoga School through Samudra in Biddeford, ME. Her infectious laughter, kind heart, love for Thriller Flash Mob, 80’s music, her two dogs and Ireland will keep you coming back for more. She loves to teach outside and looks forward to teaching with SLT this Summer!
Attendees should bring their own yoga mat or towel, water, weather-appropriate clothing, and insect repellent. We will plan to be outside unless weather moves us into the barn – no more cancellations!
All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
All attendees must complete this form before the event: https://www.newstudentform.com/YogaLandTrustWaiver-form

Invasive Species Info and Work Session
2023-09-28 17:00 - 18:30 | Pleasant Hill Preserve, 256-280 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Under the guidance of our Stewardship Director, Samantha Wolf, learn how to identify and combat invasive species at Scarborough Land Trust properties and in your own backyard! Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to a particular area and cause harm to the environment where they are introduced. Every year the SLT stewardship committee and a team of dedicated volunteers work hard to manage and fight the spread of invasive species across our properties. We need your help identifying these species and working to remove them before they spread.
After learning about species and management, we will work on removing some from SLT’s properties. All ages welcome, although children must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared to walk a short distance, potentially off the maintained trail.
We encourage stewardship volunteers to bring their own tools if they have them, including gloves, loppers, trimmers, shovels, and any Personal Protective Equipment. We recommend wearing long pants, comfortable footwear, and applying bug spray. Remain tick and insect aware.
Registration required.

SLT at The Scarborough Farmers' Market
2023-09-24 09:00 - 13:00 | Scarborough Farmers Market, 259 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Visit our tent at the Scarborough Farmers’ Market on Sunday, September 24 to celebrate Scarborough, SLT, and the start of fall! We’d love to meet you, tell you about our work, and introduce you to some new trails. SLT merchandise, field guides, books, and more will be available for purchase.
The Farmers’ Market is open from 9-1 in the Scarborough Town Hall parking lot on Route 1.
If interested in volunteering to help staff our tent, please email Henry at hgustavson@scarboroughlandtrust for more information.

Migratory Bird Walk
2023-09-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Libby River Preserve, 320 Black Point Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States

Conservation Speaker Series: Scarborough in a Changing Climate
2023-09-12 18:30 - 19:30
The Scarborough Conservation Commission, Scarborough Land Trust, Scarborough Public Library, and Friends of Scarborough Marsh invite you to learn about how our critical natural resources may be impacted in the future and how groups are working to protect them.
The first part of the Series will be September 12, 2023, 6:30 pm at the Scarborough Public Library. Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged through the library. Click Here to Register

Protecting Scarborough’s Rivers & Streams, with Greg Bither, Friends of the Scarborough Marsh, and Jami Fitch, Scarborough Sustainability Coordinator.
Greg leads FOSM’s volunteer water quality monitoring program and will talk about their data collection methods & results and what they mean for the future of Scarborough Marsh in a changing climate. Jami will focus on Scarborough’s impaired Red Brook and Philips Brook watersheds, what the Town is doing to improve the water quality of these streams, and how what we do on our properties impacts our local waterways and, ultimately, Scarborough Marsh.

Invasive Species Info and Work Session
2023-09-08 12:30 - 15:00 | Blue Point Preserve, 5 Seaveys Landing Rd, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States

Maine Outdoor Film Festival
2023-09-07 19:00 - 21:30 | Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join the Maine Outdoor Film Festival and the Scarborough Land Trust for an evening of outdoor adventure and conservation films shown under the stars at Memorial Park.
Doors open at 7pm, and the program runs from approximately 7:30-9:30, including a 10-minute intermission. Please bring your own chair or blanket on which to sit.
A donation to SLT of $10-$15 is suggested for this event. Advance donation are appreciated and can be made here. You may also make a donation in-person on the evening of the festival.
Visit the Maine Outdoor Film Festival website to learn more and to see the film program.
***Please park at the High School and walk down to Memorial Park. In case of poor weather, this event will be rescheduled for Thursday, September 14.

Bird Trail Volunteer Workday
2023-08-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Fuller Farm Preserve, 309 Broadturn Rd #299, Scarborough, ME, 04074, United States
Join us at Fuller Farm Preserve at 9am on Tuesday, August 29 as we continue to rebuild the Bird Trail. Alongside SLT staff and Fuller Farm’s Lead Steward Tom Nolan, volunteers will assist in constructing new walking platforms along the Bird Trail.
This workday is open to volunteers of all ages – even young kids can help carry materials or pick up scraps. Work gloves and hiking boots or other sturdy closed-toed shoes are recommended. Please also bring water and any snacks you may like.
An earlier session of the same work will take place on Wednesday, August 16 at 9am.

11th Annual Broadturn Farm Dinner
2023-08-24 | Broadturn Farm
Tickets are sold out! CLICK HERE to join the waitlist.
