The community is invited to Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s Annual Banquet and Conservation Awards Celebration on August 13, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. The banquet will be held at Beaver Lodge, in Hope, with dinner by Megunticook Market from Camden, and homemade pies from D-Zerts by Daphne from Westport Island.

The featured presenter is Jennifer Lund, Maine State Apiarist, who will speak on: "What’s the Buzz on Bees?" Have you ever wondered ‘What types of bees are found in Maine?’, ‘Why are some bee species in decline?’, ‘What can we do to protect bee populations?’, or ‘Which plants encourage bees into our landscapes?’ 

Lund’s talk will focus on understanding basic bee biology, nesting requirements, and foraging behavior to answer these and many other common questions about bees.

Lund is the State Apiarist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. She received her Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Maine and has over 25 years of entomological experience. Aside from managing the honeybee inspection program and helping Maine beekeepers, Lund has several of her own hives she maintains on her farm in Argyle Township, Maine.

"We are excited to see everyone and to share in acknowledging conservation leaders for 2026," said KLSWCD, in a news release.

-Conservation Farm of the Year: Morning Dew Farm, Newcastle 

-Conservation Educator of the Year: Sarah Currier, Edgecomb Eddy School

-Volunteer of the Year: Catherine Rolerson, Jefferson

Additional Knox and Lincoln conservation leaders to be recognized are those several residential owners who earned their KLSWCD Conservation Landscape Certification status.

Thanks to the generosity of business sponsors, the fee for the evening is only $25, according to KLSWCD. For planning purposes, please register by August 7, online at https://www.knox-lincoln.org/events-workshops/annual-banquet-2026 or please contact julie@knox-lincoln.org, 207-596-2040. 

Business sponsors are The First National Bank, Viking Lumber and Sasanoa Brewing.