CAMDEN — John Fromer of Appleton is the new Program Director at Merryspring Nature Center.

Fromer, who succeeds Brett Willard in that position, assumed his duties in mid-January and will be in charge of Merryspring’s many and varied educational programs. These include the weekly Tuesday Talk series, weekend workshops, summer ecology camps, free family events, and environmental outreach with local schools and other organizations. 

“The programs that Brett developed are exceptional,” Fromer said. “He did a great job over the years to extend Merryspring’s mission. My goals are to keep his vision going and perhaps make Merryspring an even more valuable resource to our neighbors and local communities.”

Fromer is no stranger to Merryspring. At various times he has been a volunteer coordinator, guest lecturer, class leader, and trustee of the Nature Center. He also has developed and led a series of horticulture classes at the Midcoast School of Technology. In addition, he and his wife, Kathy, are both Maine Master Gardeners and have grown custom flowers, vegetables, and herbs at their Appleton Ridge Farm.

Merryspring is your community nature center offering walking trails, cultivated gardens, wildlife, and ecology and horticulture educational programs all year round. The park is located at the end of Conway Road, just off of Route 1 in Camden behind Hannaford Shopping Plaza.