Envirothon regionals at Wells Reserve
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-04-30
Education Director Sarah Jolly-Ballantine reports that the Wells Reserve today is hosting the York County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Envirothon. This is the largest national science competition at the high school level and we are excited to have been chosen as the site to host the York and Cumberland county event.
About 60 high schoolers are out and about with 20+ teachers and lots of volunteers. Groups of students are taking “tests” at field stations located across the main campus and on the trails. Teams are tested for 30 minutes on soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and a current issue (for 2008, it’s recreational impacts on natural resources).
The top three teams from today’s event will compete in State Finals in Unity on May 29. The state’s winning team will travel to Arizona for the national Envirothon this summer.
We’re proud to provide southern Maine teams with a great experience at our site while furthering our goal of being a resource to local science teachers and classes.
Have you had an Envirothon experience? Would you like to see more science competitions for students?
Installing Salt Marsh Loop interpretive signs
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-04-14
Eight new interpretive signs are being installed today. Seven are along trail segments known as the Salt Marsh Loop, with the eighth erected beside the native plant demonstration garden.
The Salt Marsh Loop signs answer these questions:
- What is a watershed?
- What is a salt marsh?
- Why are estuaries important?
- How do wildlife use the estuary?
- Who eats whom in the salt marsh?
- What kind of wetland is this?
- What are invasive species?
Wells Reserve education associate Ellen McCann oversaw the sign project and prepared most of the text. James Dochtermann did the paintings. Funding was provided by NOAA, the Horizon Foundation, and the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust.
The new series of signs will be dedicated in a brief ceremony during the Earth Day Celebration on April 19.
In the photo, Ellen McCann guides workers as they place and level the “watershed” sign along the Knight Trail.
Help spread the word: Earth Day Celebration at Wells Reserve
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-04-02
Continuing a tradition that fits the mission, Wells Reserve and Laudholm Trust are holding a community celebration on the Saturday before Earth Day. The focus this year is on water and several special activities are planned.
- Trail Sign Dedication—10:30 am
- Water Tales with storyteller Debra Ballou—11:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Interpretive Nature Walk along Salt Marsh Loop—12:30 to 1:30 pm
- The Center for Wildlife presents, “Raptors, Reptiles, and Mammals, Oh My!”—1:30 to 2:30 pm
Please download our flier and post it where others will see it. We’d like a nice crowd to welcome spring with us.
Spotlight on Coastal Resource Library
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-03-31
The Maine State Library is featuring the Coastal Resource Library at Wells Reserve as its Spotlight library through the month of April.
It’s as good a time as any to get familiar with this great resource, if you haven’t already been in. If the standard hours are inconvenient, call ahead and someone will arrange to give you access. And the library will have an open house during the April 19 Earth Day Celebration.
Education Fellowship Available
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-03-27
The Wells Reserve has announced a wonderful opportunity for one Maine college graduate who wants to succeed in the field of environmental education.
Thanks to the foresight and generosity of a long-time Laudholm Trust supporter, the Charles C. and Rebecca S. Richardson Post-Baccalaureate Education Fellow will become engaged in interdisciplinary programs that focus on environmental learning and helping Maine communities address complex environmental issues.
The Fellow will begin a 12-month, full-time position in early June and will…
- Coordinate summer camps
- Develop trail guide materials
- Be involved in designing new interpretive exhibits
- Help develop an Environmental Leadership Program
- Gain experience in the breadth of programs offered by the Wells Reserve
- Gain exposure to other environmental education, research, and stewardship centers throughout the region
- Receive considerable opportunities for networking with regional environmental organizations and agencies
The application window for this unique experience is short. If you or someone you know feels qualified to fill the position, please respond by April 13. Visit the Wells Reserve website for more details.
Going Native in Your Garden
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-03-18
Laudholm Native Plant Sale pre-orders are now being accepted. Plan ahead and get your order in by May 2 (it’s pre-order only again this year). We’ve added an online form to make it easy.
Volunteers Pat Smith and Lynn Jourdan, who coordinate the sale, have put together a great list of 40 species native to Maine. Whether you have already started incorporating native plants into your landscape, here are Pat’s…
Top Ten Reasons to Garden with Maine Native Plants
10. There is a native plant for every growing condition in Maine.
9. Maine natives originated here or arrived here hundreds of years ago without human intervention. They are survivors.
8. Native plants provide food and shelter for indigenous animals.
7. By definition, native plants are not invasive.
6. Native plants thrive in Maine’s acid soil.
5. Maine natives have a natural resistance to pests and disease.
4. Growing zones are not an issue. Maine natives are hardy.
3. Native plants require less maintenance, easing the gardener’s chores.
2. Native plants make the gardener look good.
1. Native plants keep Maine looking like Maine; they preserve our historic landscape.