Luminary Walk
2025-12-18 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | 91 Doak Rd, Belfast, ME, United States
Join us for a festive luminary walk along the trail at the Head of Tide Preserve in Belfast on Thursday, December 18, from 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m! We will have hot chocolate to enjoy along the trail to keep you warm!!
A Belfast-based homeschool group, Otter Trails, is going to help create the trail! Otter Trails is a three-day-a-week homeschooling enrichment program for children 7-11 with a focus on nature education. For the past 3 years, they have been using the Head of Tide preserve as one of their teaching sites.
This event is free and open to everyone! No registration is required.
Address: Head of Tide Preserve, 91 Doak Rd., Belfast
Directions: From downtown Belfast, take Main Street west and immediately turn rightonto Waldo Avenue. In 1.5 miles, turn right onto Doak Road. Parking area is on the right immediately after Doak’s Machine Shop.

New Year's Open House
2026-01-01 11:00 - 13:00 | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Join us atop Beech Hill for a special New Year’s Day open house! Ring in 2026 with hot chocolate, cookies, a warm fire and friends in the Beech Nut from 11a.m.- 1p.m. on Thursday, January 1st.
Parking is available at 316 Beech Hill Road. The hut can be reached from a farm road trail about 0.6 miles up from the parking lot. There is steady elevation throughout the walk.
Warm and wind-proof layers with sturdy footwear is reccomded. Boot grips can help with walking stability!
This event is free and open to everyone! No registration is needed.

Happy Wanderers: Erickson Fields to Beech Hill
2026-01-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Erickson Fields Preserve, 164 West St, Rockport, ME, United States
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust and Maine Health’s Community Health program for a Happy Wanderers Hike at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, at the Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport.
All are welcome! This hike will start at the Erickson Fields Preserve and follow the connector trail, leading participants to the Beech Hill preserve. Hikers can choose to summit Beech Hill and go inside the Beech Nut, a historic stone hut ontop of the hill that overlooks Penobscot Bay.
This walk is 4.4 miles out-and-back on a wide path with steady elevation. Participants can choose to do less mileage (3.6 miles) and not summit Beech Hill.
Bring/wear: warm hiking footwear with grips, warm layers, including wind protection, and water.

Go to penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com to register and receiveupdates about this event.
Erickson Fields is a Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) Preserve . The creation of trail connecting Erickson Fields and Beech Hill was a collaboration between MCHT and Coastal Mountains, which included conservation of 28 acres of land.

Nature Program: Tracking Adventure
2026-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Fernald’s Neck Preserve, 199 Fernald Neck Rd, Lincolnville, ME, United States
Join naturalist and avid outdoor educator, Meg Selkie, as she teaches the art of tracking through the varied habitats of the Fernalds Neck Preserve.
Bring the kids with you! This workshop is geared toward adults, but there will be a simultaneous kids tracking program happening at the same time (on the preserve but in a slightly different location) with Land Trust staff!
This nature program is free and open to all. We hope you can join us!
This is a 2-part tracking series! The next workshop is Sunday, February 22 at the Head of Tide Preserve in Belfast.
Registration is required: Contact leaht@coastalmountains.org
Directions:
From Lincolnville Center, take Route 52 south for 2 miles, then turn right at Fernalds Neck Road. Follow to its end, staying left at the fork. From Camden, take Route 52/Mountain Street north for 5.8 miles, turning left at Fernalds Neck Road. Please drive slowly, and park only in parking lot, not along roadside.

Full Moon Hike
2026-01-31 17:00 - 18:30 | Beech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Join us on Saturday, January 31, for a full moon hike at the Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport!
We will meet at the Beech Hill Road trailhead at 5:00p.m. and hike up the hill together as the full moon rises. The trail is about 0.6miles of hiking up a gentle, but steady incline. On top of the hill, the historic Beech Nut will be open, the fireplace will be lit, and hot tea will be served. All are welcome!
Clear skies should allow the full moon to illuminate our walk, but participants should bring a flashlight or headlamp as a back-up source of light.
Footwear that accommodates the current hiking conditions are recommended: boots and ice grips may be appropriate if there is ice.
This event is cohosted by Coastal Mountains Land Trust and Maine Health’s Community Health program.
Please email leaht@coastalmountains.org to register for this free event.
Location: 316 Beech Hill Rd. Rockport, ME

Happy Wanderers: Long Cove Preserve, Searsport
2026-02-05 10:00 - 12:00 | ME
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust and Maine Health’s Community Health program for a Happy Wanderers Hike at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, at the Long Cove Preserve in Searsport.
This is a beautiful 2.4 mile loop on a single-track trail with 220 feet of elevation gain. The trail meanders gently though a mixed-forest woodland.
All are welcome, but please leave your pups at home!
Bring/wear: warm hiking footwear with grips, warm layers and water.

Go to penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com to register and receiveupdates about this event.

Nature Program: Tracking Adventure
2026-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Head Of Tide Nature Preserve, Belfast, ME 04915, USA
Join naturalist and avid outdoor educator, Meg Selkie, as they teach the art of tracking at the Head of Tide Preserve in Belfast.
This workshop is geared towards adults, but don’t hesitate to bring children! Land Trust staff will be avaliable to do tracking activites and games; kids will have their own fun, while the adults focus on their workshop, if they choose!
This is the second workshop in a 2-part series!
This nature program is free and open to all. We hope you can join us!
Registration is required: Contact leaht@coastalmountains.org to register.

Happy Wanderers: Head of Tide Preserve, Belfast
2026-03-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Head Of Tide Nature Preserve, 91 Dock Rd, Rangeley, ME, United States
Join us for a guided group hike along the trails of Head of Tide preserve in Belfast!
This is a 1.6 mile, single track, loop trail along the river with varying terrain.
After completing this loop, hikers will have the option to cross the street and walk the Stover preserve, which is a beutiful .9 mile loop through a mixed confier-hardwood forests, with additional views of the Passagassawakeag river.
Happy Wanderers is our monthly hiking group hosted in collaboration with Maine Health’s Community Health program. These hikes take place trails throughout Knox and Waldo Counties.
All are welcome!
Directions: From downtown Belfast, take Main Street west and immediately turn right onto WaldoAvenue. In 1.5 miles, turn right onto Doak Road. Parking area is on the rightimmediately after Doak’s Machine Shop.

Happy Wanderers: Mill Brook Preserve in Searsport
2026-04-02 10:00 - 12:00 | ME
This walk is at Coastal Mountains’ first Learning Landscape! We’ll park behind the Searsport High School and walk from the school to Millbrook Preserve, following the route students take for outdoor learning excursions.
This is a two-mile out-and-back trail which is primarily flat and includes a fair amount of bog bridging.
Directions: Turn onto Church Street in Searsport from Route One and follow it to the end, where you’ll see the high school. CMLT and Community Health staff will meet you, to direct parking and guide you to thetrail. Parking is limited, so please carpool!
Register: email leaht@coastalmountains.org

Outdoor Workshop: Restore Our Shorelines with Live Stakes
2026-04-03 17:30 - 18:30 | ME
This workshop at the Ducktrap Preserve in Lincolnville is a collboration with the Maine Forest Service, Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District and Coastal Mountains Land Trust
Live staking uses dormant cuttings from native trees and shrubs that root quickly and stabilize soil – a simple, effective restoration activity you can use at your home or in your community! Healthy shorelines protect water quality, reduce sediment runoff, and create habitat for fish and wildlife. By planting native vegetation, we strengthen our rivers, lakes and communities.
Directions: From Lincolnville Center, drive north on Rt. 52 for 3.5 mi. You’ll descend into a valley before a steep hill. The parking is located on the right about 125 yards after Rt. 52 crosses the Ducktrap River.
Rain date: Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 PM
Register: email leaht@coastalmountains.org

Volunteer Orientation
2026-04-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Coastal Mountains Land Trust office
Are you interested in volunteering with us? It’s the plethora of smiling faces and working hands that has made our work possible! Volunteer opportunities range from joining a Wednesday trail crew, to assisting with mailings, greeting visitors on Beech Hill, and taking students out on hikes. Join us for tea and cookies to learn more!
Coastal Mountains Land Trust
101 Mt. Battie Street
Camden, ME 04843
Register: leaht@coastalmountains.org

Belfast Library Talk: Conservation, Climate, and our Community
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Belfast Free Library, 104 High St, Belfast, ME, United States
Join us for a presentation with Jack Shaida, Senior Stewardship and Land Protection Manager at Coastal Mountains Land Trust, to learn about the history of conservation in Belfast and Waldo County, ongoing work to protect special places, like Hurds Pond, and how conservation can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
This program, co-sponsored by the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition and the Waldo County Climate Action Coalition (WCCAC), will be held in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library with a Zoom option.
To register for the Zoom link: belfastlibrary.org/events/

Turkey Hunting Field Excursion
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:00 | ME
Turkey Hunting Field ExcursionTuesday, April 21, 6-8pmBeech Hill Preserve, 316 Beech Hill Road, Rockport
Carmen Bombeke, a registered Maine Guide, is offering this free workshop through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW).
This workshop covers the basics of turkey hunting, including laws and regulations, equipment, hunting methods, hunting tactics, scouting and more. Participants will explore prime turkey habitat and potentially hear roosting turkeys after they fly into the trees to spend the evening.

Preregistration is required through MDIFW’s Outdoor Programs page: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/educational-programs/outdoor-programs/index.html

Nature Program: Vernal Pool Parties
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | 1 Tanglewood Rd, Lincolnville, ME, United States
Join Maine Master Naturalist, Ama LaBelle, for a 2-part series that dives into the mysteries of vernal pools at Tanglewood 4H in Lincolnville.
We’ll discuss what vernal pools are, why they are unique and important habitats, and what kinds of life they support. We’ll also spend time exploring the pool with nets and hand lenses!
This is the first of a 2-part series to give us the chance to see how things change and grow! Participants are welcome to attend either or both events. Fair warning: If you attend this program, you will almost certainly want to come to the second, to see if eggs have hatched or if the tadpoles have grown legs…
Bring: water, bug & trick protection and warm layers
Register: email leaht@coastalmountains.org
Address: 1 Tanglewood Road, Lincolnville

Happy Wanderers: Waldo Pound Preserve to Belfast Area Children's Center
2026-05-07 10:00 - 12:00 | 288 Kendall Corner Rd, Belfast, ME, United States
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT) and MaineHealth’s Community Health program for a Happy Wanderers hike at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7. The hike will begin at the Waldo Pound Preserve parking lot at 288 Kendall Corner Rd. in Waldo and will offer three route options for varying interests and ability levels, ranging from 1.4 to 3.4 miles. The shorter options are relatively flat, while the 3.4-mile option includes about 200 feet of elevation gain.
All routes will initially travel along Waldo Pound Preserve Trails to the Hills to Sea Trail and include a stop at the Belfast Area Children’s Center (BACC)’s newly built Learning Landscape, which is used for nature-based education. This unique area overlooks a marsh and beaver habitat and was designed with young children and strollers in mind. All hiking options offer close-up views of beaver dams and a variety of water birds.
The hike will be led by CMLT volunteer Bindy Pendleton and Anne Dreeson, a longtime BACC staff member. Anne helped organize and build much of the childcare center’s new Learning Landscape.
Transportation will be provided back to Waldo Pound Preserve for hikers who choose the shortest one-way option.
All are welcome!
Bring/wear: hiking footwear, water, warm layers, tick protection, binoculars (if desired), and rain gear (if needed).
To register and view the full 2026 Happy Wanderers schedule, visit: https://penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com/course/happy-wanderers-2026

Happy Wanderers: Bald Mountain
2026-06-04 10:00 - 12:00 | 325 Barnestown Rd, Camden, ME, United States
Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT) and MaineHealth’s Community Health program for a Happy Wanderers hike at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4 at Bald Mountain in Camden.
This 2.6-mile out-and-back hike brings wanderers above the tree line to a 1,280-foot peak, with sweeping views of western Penobscot Bay and the surrounding coastal mountains. Expect some rocky footing along the way and about 660 feet of elevation gain. But the views at the top make it well worth the climb!
This hike is part of the Happy Wanderers walking series, which explores preserves and trails throughout Knox and Waldo counties. 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: The trailhead is located at 325 Barnestown Rd., Camden. From downtown Camden, take Route 1 south, then turn right onto John Street and continue for 0.8 miles to Hosmer Pond Road on the left. Follow for 3.5 miles to the preserve parking lot on the left, just past Gillette Road.
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, visit: https://penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com/course/happy-wanderers-2026

Nature Program: Nocturnal Elver (Eel) Walk
2026-06-11 20:00 - 21:30 | Megunticook Falls, 34 Main St, Camden, ME, United States
Photo credit: The Elversphere
Calling all eel lovers and the eel-curious! Come learn about the great migrations of the mysterious and awe-inspiring American eel as they arrive in the Camden harbor after being born in the Sargasso Sea over 1,000 miles away. This event is timed with the nocturnal high tide, to facilitate the best elver (young eel)-viewing experience.

Participants will have the opportunity to see elvers from multiple angles within the park/falls area, guided by local eel enthusiasts Michele Christle, Eli Kao, and Alison McKellar. We’ll talk about the life cycle of the American eel, eel biology, eel stories, the elver fishery, conservation, the long history of Wabanaki-eel relations, what eels have taught us about ourselves, and more.

This event will be documented (film and photography) as part of The Elversphere documentary. If you do not want to be filmed, please note this when you register.

All ages welcome.

Registration: This event is currently FULL. Email Rosie (Rosieh@coastalmountains.org) with any questions.

Where to meet: We’ll gather here at the Camden Amphitheater before making our way down to the Camden Harbor Park/ Megunticook Falls area.

Bring/wear: Flashlights, grippy shoes, and walking sticks if you use them. Binoculars optional.

Accessibility: Pathways through Camden Harbor Park are paved and gently sloped. That said, there will be opportunities for participants to get up close to elvers on rougher, rocky terrain. Accessing the rough, rocky terrain will be optional. The walk itself will be under a quarter mile.
About the Guides:
Michele Christle is a writer and communications professional whose work explores culture, ecology, history, and place. Her writing has appeared in publications including The Kenyon Review, Down East, and Cultural Survival Quarterly, and she has worked with organizations such as Maine Sea Grant, Maine Audubon, and StoryCorps. She is currently working on a longform writing and documentary project (with filmmaker Eli Kao!) about eels.

Eli Kao is a documentary filmmaker with over two decades of experience, including work with National Geographic Channel and Discovery Networks in Asia. His film Hualien Earthquake Decoded won a 2019 Asian Academy Creative Award, and he has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the LEF Foundation. He is currently working on a documentary project (with writer Michele Christle!) about eels.

Alison McKellar is a writer, mother, and river restoration advocate who has served nine years on the Camden Select Board. A dedicated nature photographer and video maker, Alison has spent hundreds if not thousands of hours over nearly a decade documenting and observing the migration and struggles of American eels and other migratory fish at the outlet of the Megunticook River in Camden Harbor.

Arts on the Hill: Rockville
2026-07-01 17:30 - 19:00 | 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.
