DAMARISCOTTA — Damariscotta River Association announces its public programs for autumn 2014.  All programs are held at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center (110 Belvedere Road) unless otherwise indicated.

Naturalist Guided Hikes

Monday, Sept. 22, Great Salt Bay Farm (110 Belvedere Road), 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, Salt Bay Preserve (park: Lincoln County Publishing, Route 215), 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 26, Dodge Point Preserve (River Road, Newcastle), 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join naturalist and DRA Education Director, Sarah Gladu for three gentle hikes to see migratory birds and other changes in nature that fall brings. In honor of “Active Aging Week” and in partnership with Spectrum Generations but open to people of any age. Free.

Celebrate Great Maine Outdoor Weekend

Saturday, Sept. 27

Dog Walk at Great Salt Bay Farm, 10 a.m. to noon.

Bring your dog-friendly dog on a leash for a couple of miles of trail hiking with other dog lovers. Dog treats for all and a drawing for a doggy prize. Free, but please bring a donation for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter such as towels, dish/laundry detergent, paper towels, or animal toys.

Guided River~Link Trail Hike, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Join Sarah Gladu for a five-mile guided hike along the River~Link trail from McKay Road in Edgecomb to Dodge Point Preserve in Newcastle. Meet at Dodge Point Preserve, River Road, Newcastle to leave cars and then carpool to start of hike on McKay road. Pre-register by September 25. Fee: $10/person, members $5.

Mushroom Identification with Greg Marley

Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Greg Marley, author of Mushrooms for Health: Medicinal Secrets of Northeastern Fungi, will lead a day-long workshop starting with an introduction to fungi and working towards understanding plant associations and mushroom identification. The morning will be inside and the afternoon will include a foraging hike. Bring a bag lunch and be prepared to walk. This will be held rain or shine.

Fee: $60/adult. Call DRA to register and prepay by October 2.

Sparrow Identification with Midcoast Audubon’s Dennis McKenna

Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Birder Dennis McKenna will teach birders of all levels the finer details of how to identify those frequently confusing sparrows in fall plumage. Binoculars and field guides available on loan upon request. Minimal walking required. Registration required. Fee: $5/person, members free.

Special event: Hawk Henries Native Woodland Flute Concert

Saturday, Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the DRA Round Top Farm Gallery

Hawk Henries belongs to the Nipmuc, a northeastern Algonquin tribe. In his travels within and beyond the United States, Henries enjoys engaging people who come to hear him play his flutes, many of which he makes. Henries says, “music, stories and humor create a space where people from diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds can enjoy each other’s company and engage in meaningful dialogue.” Seasonal snacks available. Henries’s disks will be for sale for $15. A few flutes will also be available for purchase.  Fee: $5/person, members free.

Protecting the Damariscotta Estuary

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sarah Gladu, DRA education director, and University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center staff scientists Larry Mayer and Damian Brady will present observations and data about the condition of the Damariscotta Estuary resulting from on-going monitoring efforts. They will report on a variety of indicators of the estuary’s condition. Potential future threats to the health of the estuary will also be discussed. Free.

Damariscotta River Association fall/winter children’s programs 2014

Wild Encounters  A regular program for homeschool families and groups.

These classes are held 10 a.m. - noon the third Monday of each month (except September, October and January).  Hike and nature journaling always included. Prepay for five classes and get a sixth class free. For ages five and up (younger may come).  

Fee: $5/child.  Call DRA to register. 

September 29 - Insect Safari: Catch insects, learn about metamorphosis and life cycles.

October 13 - Wabanaki Living: Hands-on Wabanaki living skills with Passamaquoddy birch bark  artist David Moses Bridges. (Note: Special date. Choose one session: 10 a.m. - Noon for ages 6-9 or 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. for ages 10+)

November 17 - Maine’s Mammals: Investigate skulls and skins and make a plaster track.

December 15 - Birds in Winter: Meet a live duck, discover how birds survive the cold weather.

January 12 - Animal Adaptations: Discover animals’ amazing survival adaptations.

February 16 - Outdoor Living Skills: Dogsledding and snow-shelter building.

E.A.r.t.H. (Ecology for Advanced Homeschoolers) For homeschooled youth ages nine and up with a serious interest in natural history and related topics. Regular homework is assigned. Classes held one Tuesday of each month (except October) from 10 a.m. to noon. Application available for limited spaces at DamariscottaRiver.org. Fee: non-members $65/student for three month session; members $40/student for three month session. Prepayment due last day of month before new session begins: 9/30, 12/31 and 3/31)

                        September 30 - “Get to Know You” Hike

October 6 - Migration: Focus on Birds and Butterflies (special Monday date)

November 25 - Phytoplankton: World of microscopic marine organisms

December 9 - Winter Tree Identification: Learn to identify trees and other plants in the winter      

January 13 - Animal Tracks and Signs Hike on River~Link Trail

February 10 - Lobster Biology and Management: Try a wildlife management game!

March 17 - Water Quality Monitoring: Bacterial monitoring to check Great Salt Bay

April 14 - Marine Invertebrates: Focus on bivalves and annelids of estuaries

May 19 - Sea Birds: Visit an island and learn about pelagic birds

June 9 - Isopods and Special Arthropods: Observe amazing life cycles of these creatures

Frogs and Pollywogs  For preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their parents/guardians. Hike always included.

These classes are held 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. the third Friday of each month (except October). Prepay for five classes and get a sixth class free. Fee: $3/child. Call DRA to register.

September 19 - What Makes a Fish, A Fish? Pull up minnow traps in the salt marsh, learn about fish.

October 10 - Mammals of Maine: See mammal skulls, hike for animal signs, make a plaster track.

November 21 - Who’s Home? Investigate a forest, search for animal homes, learn about hibernation.

December 19 - Can You Be a Bird? Look into hollow bird bones, meet a live duck, make binoculars. 

January  16 - Wetlands in Winter: Visit wetlands, drill through the ice and search for life beneath.

February  20 - Winter Wonderland: Dogsledding and snow-shelter building.

Jr. Naturalist After-School Program (Grades 1-5) Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:15 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Inquiry-based, hands-on learning in a safe outdoor environment. The DRA Great Salt Bay Farm is on a bus route from local elementary schools and close to Route 1. Month-long sessions.  Call DRA to register.

Fee: $55 non-members /$50 members at “Mussel” level (scholarships available)

November - Wildlife in Winter: Study animal tracks and signs, play games, nature journaling.

February - Winter Wonderland: Dogsledding, snow-shelter building, nature discovery.

Limited scholarships are available for all programs.