Oct
13
to Oct 19

Walk for the Wild 5K

The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge invites you to celebrate our commitment to deepening human connections with nature and protecting the thriving ecosystems on which we depend; let's Walk for the Wild!

Join our Self-Guided À la Carte Walk for the Wild 5K - We welcome people of all ages and abilities to sign up for FREE!

𝐀̀ 𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝟓𝐊 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:
As this is a self-guided event lasting all of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 13th through 19th, we encourage you to get out and visit the different trails of the Refuge. You can visit just one (walking the loop more than once) or visit all three to get your steps in and explore parts of the Refuge that may be new to you!

  • The Carson Trail in Wells is a 1-mile loop that passes through coastal forests and offers beautiful views of the salt marsh. The Carson Trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Pets must be on a leash at all times and all waste must be removed. Complete this loop three times to get your 5K steps in! You can visit the Carson Trail at 321 Port Road, Wells, ME 04090.

  • The Cutts Island Trail in Kittery offers 1.8 miles of easy upland hiking and scenic views of the salt marsh. Complete this loop twice to get in your 5K steps! (Please note: No dogs are allowed at this site).

  • The 1.13-mile Timber Point Trail is located at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford and offers a scenic walk past a freshwater wetland and coastal shrubland with beautiful salt marsh, river and ocean views. Complete this loop three times to get your 5K steps in! (Please note: No dogs are allowed at this site).

Can't visit us during National Wildlife Refuge Week? You can still MAKE A DONATION to support the Friends. And you're invited to COMPLETE THE 5K CHALLENGE VIRTUALLY from any national wildlife refuge or your favorite nature spot.

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May
8
5:30 PM17:30

Planting for Climate Resilience

Together with Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, we are very excited to be hosting members of the Wild Seed Project in the Community Room at Graves Library on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 5:30pm.       

In addition to helping to sustain vital pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, native plantings offer countless other benefits that are indispensable in the age of climate change. When created and maintained with ecologically attuned landscaping practices, they can minimize flooding and storm water runoff, shade and cool cities, survive droughts, and facilitate carbon storage more effectively than the landscapes dominated by turf and mulch that blanket so many of our communities.

Andrea Berry from the Wild Seed Project will talk about the actions you can take to make your corner of the world more biodiverse and resilient to the effects of climate change. Andrea joined Wild Seed Project as the organization’s Executive Director in 2021. She also serves on the Board of Directors at Momentum Conservation and Resources for Organizing and Social Change.

Colin McKevitt, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Biological Technician, will address habitat management and native species planting. This includes shrubland habitats, salt marsh field surveying and restoration, and monitoring and managing invasive species. Colin is a key member of the Refuge team and is the manager of the Refuge native plant greenhouse. He instructs interns as well as community volunteers.

Copies of the publication "Planting for Climate Resilience" will be available for sale at the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, 18 Maine Street, Kennebunkport. For further information, please call 967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

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Oct
8
to Oct 14

Walk for the Wild 5K

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8th - 14th! Register for free and walk to support Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge by participating in the Walk for the Wild 5K!

Walk for the Wild is an opportunity to contribute to the success of the nation’s unparalleled network of public lands and waters -the National Wildlife Refuge System. Participation is free; however, you can make an optional contribution to support the protection of species and habitats that provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth!

Join us and show your commitment to deepening human connections to nature. Sign up to walk today and send your contribution with your registration. A portion of your donation will be matched by national supporters of Walk for the Wild and the Public Lands Alliance.

For more information and to register:

  1. Visit Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Walk for the Wild 5K page here.

  2. Join Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Registration is FREE and opens on September 1st.

  3. Register and consider making an optional donation to help our Team reach our fundraising goal.

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Sep
23
9:00 AM09:00

National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Rabbitat Planting Party on Saturday, September 23rd to celebrate National Public Lands Day. This year’s event will include planting native shrubs, managing invasive plants, and trimming overgrown young trees to create and restore shrubland habitat for the endangered New England Cottontail in Kittery, Maine. Activities will include digging holes, planting shrubs, using clippers or hand saws, and chatting about local wildlife and conservation. Fee-free National Park day passes will be available to all volunteers.

Please refer to the attached flyer for event times and contact Sarah at sarah_dudek@fws.gov for registration and more information.

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Jan
12
7:00 PM19:00

Winter Photography Workshop

Winter presents both challenges and opportunities for the nature and wildlife photographer. This timely program will provide an overview of time-tested tools, tips, and techniques for creating more successful images at a time of year when many have stowed their cameras away until the arrival of warmer weather. The program will be presented by Matt Poole, veteran nature photographer and instructor.

This free public program, sponsored by the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, will be delivered LIVE via Zoom. Preregistration is required. Please register here.

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Dec
15
7:00 PM19:00

Smartphone Editing Workshop

Learn how to take your smartphone images to the next level by editing them right on your phone! Image editing on a smartphone is fun and intuitive. During a live Zoom broadcast, veteran nature photographer Matt Poole will demonstrate basic editing skills using two of today’s most popular and powerful image editing apps – Snapseed and Adobe Photoshop Express. And, the really great news? Both apps are FREE and can be loaded on either iPhone or Android smartphones. Program will be delivered LIVE via Zoom. Registration is required.

This free public program is sponsored by the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Please register here!

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Nov
10
7:00 PM19:00

Smartphone Photo Academy

You may not realize it, but that smartphone you carry around in your pocket is also a great camera, capable of taking phots that you’d be proud to print, frame and hang on your living room wall! “But wait,” you say, “my images never look good enough for that!” Well, here’s your chance to move from taking snapshots to great shots!

In this free and informative online program, veteran nature photographer Matt Poole will provide all the tips and tools necessary for creating your own wall-worthy art. He’ll address getting the exposure right, creating visually compelling compositions, and editing images right on your smartphone (both iPhone and Android). The workshop will feature Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge as well as other natural areas in Maine and New Hampshire.

This free public program is sponsored by the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Please register here.

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Oct
8
9:00 AM09:00

Discover Your Wild!

  • Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Kick of National Wildlife Refuge Week and Discover Your Wild this Saturday by joining Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge staff and friends at 188 Brown Street in Kennebunk, Maine from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm! Fun family activities include nature journaling with local author/artist Rebekah Lowell at 10:00 am, a falconry presentation at 11:00 am, fishing, canoeing, archery, hiking and more! Hope to see you there!

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Oct
8
to Oct 15

Walk for the Wild 5K

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8th - 15th! Register for free and walk to support Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge by participating in the Walk for the Wild 5K!

Walk for the Wild is an opportunity to contribute to the success of the nation’s unparalleled network of public lands and waters -the National Wildlife Refuge System. Participation is free; however, you can make an optional contribution to support the protection of species and habitats that provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth!

Join us and show your commitment to deepening human connections to nature. Sign up to walk today and send your contribution with your registration. A portion of your donation will be matched by national supporters of Walk for the Wild and the Public Lands Alliance.

For more information and to register:

  1. Visit Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Walk for the Wild 5K page here.

  2. Join Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Registration is FREE and opens on September 1st.

  3. Register and consider making an optional donation to help our Team reach our fundraising goal.

View Event →