Maine Coast Heritage Trust

06/14/2026

Can you name this native Maine flower?

06/11/2026

This weekend is the annual Orange River Paddle. While the event is full, we thought we’d share with you some of the work we’re doing along the Orange River, as part of our Rivers Initiative.

The Orange River watershed historically many fish species, including river herring, shad, American eels, sea-brook trout, and Atlantic salmon. The watershed is designated critical habitat for Atlantic salmon. Extensive wetlands, intact forest areas, and undeveloped lake frontage provide high habitat for birds, mammals, and aquatic species, while offering exceptional opportunities for paddling, camping, and quiet recreation. It is the second-largest freshwater source flowing into Cobscook Bay and part of a traditional Passamaquoddy canoe route connecting Cobscook Bay to Machias Bay, with documented use dating back millennia.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱’𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁.

Together with partners, we are restoring fish runs, protecting lake and river frontage, supporting thriving wetlands, and enhancing a community deeply connected to its watershed.

➡➡➡➡https://www.mcht.org/conservation-work/initiatives-projects/the-rivers-initiative/orange-river/

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

This time of year, we enjoy the beautiful sounds of bobolinks and look out for their wellbeing. These small migrating songbirds make their nests in fields of dense grasses and forage seeds along the ground. We encourage folks to give them space and refrain from walking through open grassy fields, including those on our preserves. If you have pastureland or meadows on your property, consider limiting mowing and haying during nesting season. Visit Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields for more info on how thoughtful planning can conserve bobolinks.

At our Woodward Point Preserve (featured in this video), the bobolinks enchant us with their lyrical songs and calls. We respectfully ask that visitors stay on trails and keep dogs leashed at all times. And as a heads up, a portion of trail in the west field is closed during season, to give our bobolink friends the space they need to nest and raise their young. Typically, bobolinks fledge by late July and begin their migration south shortly thereafter.

06/04/2026

Check out this great Maine Public article on the work we're doing along the Mousam River, as part of our Rivers Initiative. Don't miss our own Chris Schorn, who discusses the importance of natural fish migration passages and the ecological and community benefits of removing unusable dams.

The short river in York County is one of the most heavily-dammed waterways in Maine that doesn't have any fish passage.

06/04/2026

Are you naturally distracted? Our Regional Stewardship Manager Kirk Gentalen sure is! Check out his latest column, Naturally Distracted (formerly known as Nature Bummin') to learn about the songbirds we hear this time of year. Join Kirk tomorrow morning at 8 am for a guided bird walk along the Woodward Point Preserve trails in Brunswick.

https://www.mcht.org/story/funky-tweeters/

06/01/2026

As you get outside this time of year, be sure to have our free nature guides handy. Whether you're walking in the woods, checking out the tidepools or looking at animal tracks, we have the guide just for you!

Download today ➡ https://www.mcht.org/nature-guides/

05/29/2026

Happy retirement, David!