Arts on the Hill: Rockville
2026-07-01 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Join us for an evening of music with the Midcoast Maine roots music band Rockville on top of Beech Hill as part of Coastal Mountains Land Trust’s Arts on the Hill series.
Rockville’s music is a unique blend of folk, country, blues and reggae, offering original music that speaks to the elements, the natural world and the human experience. Their first album, “SHINE” comes out summer 2026 and you can expect to hear some songs from it, and more!
Bring a friend, pack a picnic, and come enjoy the rhythms on top of Beech Hill!
All performances are free and open to all ages. Please leave dogs at home.

Happy Wanderers: Sears Island
2026-07-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Sears Island, Searsport, ME, United States
Photo courtesy of Friends of Sears Island
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT), MaineHealth’s Community Health program, and Friends of Sears Island for a Happy Wanderers hike at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 on Sears Island.
This hike will offer options ranging from 1 to 4 miles, with routes that wind through forested trails, along the shoreline, and out the island’s road. Wanderers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and linger a bit longer to enjoy the magic of the island after the hike finishes around noon.
This hike is part of the Happy Wanderers walking series, which explores preserves and trails throughout Knox and Waldo counties. Led by longtime CMLT member Bindy Pendleton, these hikes offer a chance to connect with fellow walkers while learning more about the Land Trust’s work to conserve land and connect people with nature across the western Penobscot Bay region.
All are welcome!
Directions: Sears Island is located at the end of Sears Island Road, off Route 1, just east of downtown Searsport. Park on the causeway. CMLT, MaineHealth, and Friends of Sears Island staff and volunteers will meet you at the far (southern) end of the causeway, by the picnic tables and kiosk.
Bring: Water, tick and insect protection, and binoculars if you have them.
Registration: To register for this hike and view the full 2026 Happy Wanderers schedule, please visit: https://penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com/course/happy-wanderers-2026

Arts on the Hill: Jenn Schott
2026-07-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Join us for an evening of live music with Nashville-based singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Jenn Schott at Beech Hill Preserve on Thursday, July 9 at 6:00 p.m. Part of Coastal Mountains Land Trust’s Arts on the Hill series, the concert will feature an intimate performance weaving storytelling and music together as the sun starts to dip over the hill. Over the years, Schott’s songs have been recorded by well-known country artists including Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.
Bring a picnic dinner and soak in the show from the hilltop.
All performances are free and open to all ages. Please leave dogs at home.

Happy Wanderers: Meadow Brook Preserve
2026-08-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Meadow Brook Preserve, Belfast, ME, United States
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT) on a guided hike along the trails of Meadow Brook Preserve in Swanville. The trail has minimal elevation gain and winds through a variety of mature and newer forests and wetlands, with unique views into the wetlands around Hurds Pond.
This hike is part of the Happy Wanderers walking series, which explores preserves and trails throughout Knox and Waldo counties. Led by longtime CMLT member Bindy Pendleton, these hikes offer a chance to learn more about the Land Trust’s work to conserve land and connect people with nature across the western Penobscot Bay region.
All are welcome!
Registration: To register for this hike and view the full 2026 Happy Wanderers schedule, please visit: https://penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com/course/happy-wanderers-2026
Bring: Water, tick and insect protection, and binoculars if you have them.
Directions: From downtown Belfast, take High Street north out of town. Cross Route 1 and continue as the road turns into City Point Road, and then Oak Hill Road (stay right at the fork). After passing the Rail Trail City Point parking lot, reset your odometer, and continue 2.2 miles, the parking lot is on the right.

Arts on the Hill: Hot Suppers
2026-08-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Join the Hot Suppers for an evening of live music at Beech Hill Preserve at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, as part of Coastal Mountains Land Trust’s Arts on the Hill series.
The Hot Suppers are widely enjoyed Waldo County musicians who meld captivating original songs with their favorite rock, blues, old country, and Americana tunes. The result is a sound that’s dynamic, harmonic, rhythmic, and electric—perfect for dancing, frolicking, or soaking it up with a picnic.
Bring a picnic dinner, settle in, and enjoy the music on top of the stunning Beech Hill.
All performances are free and open to all ages. Please leave dogs at home.

Arts on the Hill: The Sugar Snaps
2026-09-02 17:30 - 19:00 | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Photo credit: Jack Sullivan
Join The Sugar Snaps for an evening of live music at Beech Hill Preserve at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, as part of Coastal Mountains Land Trust’s Arts on the Hill series.
The Sugar Snaps are a high-energy, 8-piece R&B band from Midcoast Maine. They feature powerhouse vocals and a classic horn section. Their sound draws from a rich mix of funk and soul, including lesser-known gems and favorites by artists like Maceo Parker, Sharon Jones, Stevie Wonder, Ann Peebles, Al Green, and The Meters. They also perform a growing set of original songs. Expect bold brass, rich rhythms, and a sound that’s hard to sit still through.
Bring a picnic, gather some friends, and head up the hill for a lively evening of music with spectacular views.
All performances are free and open to all ages. Please leave dogs at home.

Nature Program: Measuring Change in the Ducktrap Forest
2026-09-17 17:30 - 19:00 | 2749 Belfast Rd, Lincolnville, ME, United States
Photo credit: JP Raite
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust and student researcher JP Raite for a 2.5-mile walk and talk about our changing forest. JP recently led a team of UMaine Forestry students in establishing permanent monitoring plots within Ducktrap Preserve to track changes in forest health and structure as this region faces increasing pressures from climate change, invasive species, and tree pests and pathogens.
We’ll visit three plots in hemlock, ash, and beech stands, where JP will share findings from her first year of data collection. Identification guides will be available for anyone interested in getting better acquainted with our native species. On the return walk, we’ll slow down for some quiet forest bathing and, with luck, a hermit thrush serenade.
All ages are welcome to this free public event! The trail is well maintained with moderate elevation gain.
Directions: Meet at the Ducktrap Preserve trailhead parking lot (2749 Belfast Rd., Lincolnville, ME 04849). Once the group has gathered, we’ll cross Belfast Rd./Hwy. 52 and hike a portion of the west trail to visit the three forest inventory plots.
Bring: Water, layers, and insect repellent.
Registration: To register, please fill out this brief registration form. Email Rosie at rosieh@coastalmountains.org with any questions.
About JP (Julia) Raite: JP is an Ecology student at the University of Maine researching environmental change. She also works as practice manager at OPAL Architecture in Belfast. A Lincolnville resident and neighbor to the preserve, Julia spends much of her free time walking its trails and sitting in the river.
