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Article by Evan Houk in The Lincoln County News June 2, 2022    Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust cut the ribbon on its solar array, located behind the land trust’s headquarters at Round Top Farm in Damariscotta, on Wednesday, May 25. Steven Hufnagel, executive director of Coastal Rivers, explained to the approximately 30 people in attendance at the event how the array started generating renewable electricity for Coastal Rivers and Kieve Wavus Education in February. He said the bright sunny day reminded him about the quote that “when there’s a solar spill, it’s just called a nice day.” Kieve Wavus Education …

Coastal Rivers Cuts Ribbon on Array under a Sunny ‘Solar Spill’ Read More »

Twin Villages Foodbank Farm’s success is rooted in partnerships and strong support from the community. Although a few things are different this year with Covid, the farm is on target to grow 50,000 pounds of food to donate to Lincoln County food pantries, and to aggregate another 20,000 pounds from other growers in its food storage hub.

This post is part of a series contributed by Coastal Rivers Trustee Barnaby Porter. Read the previous post here. There is a cloak and dagger figure among us. At least that is his reputation. He is more often silent and hidden by day, prowling mostly under cover of darkness and, occasionally, betrays his whereabouts with a genuine, blood-curdling scream. His name is Martes pennanti, alias “the Black Cat.” Other names are Fisher and Fisher Cat. To him have been credited the sinister disappearances of Figaro, Lucifer, Ragamuffin, Muckleroy, Tiger and Tabby – all members of the Felis domesticus clan. The …

The Fisher Read More »

The above title is from an article written by Violet Bailey and Willis Colby (grade 6), who go on to report, “Witch island is one of the greatest places to experience nature at the fullest! The island is a perfect balance of nature. The ocean and the forest will motivate any kid. Learning about nature is so perfect!” “The 5th and 6th grade students traveled by boat every day for a week to Witch Island in South Bristol,” wrote Tyler Blanc and Quintin Esparza (grade 5). “They learned about the Wabanaki and their religion as well as what they eat …

South Bristol 5-6 students come out of the classroom and into nature Read More »

Student gardeners from Great Salt Bay Community School (GSB) were treated to a magnificent horse plowing demonstration in the spring of 2017, thanks to a collaboration between the school, Twin Villages Foodbank Farm (TVFF), Chewonki, and Damariscotta River Association (DRA). Newly established last fall, the student garden is located behind the old ice cream shack at DRA’s Round Top Farm, within easy walking distance from the school. Students and teachers worked with GSB’s Agriculture Coordinator Margaret Coleman and Twin Villages Foodbank Farm Manager Sara Cawthon to prepare the plot and plant part of it with garlic in November. The rest …

Gardening done right Read More »

Huston Dodge was a good friend to DRA, a lover of the Damariscotta River, and a teacher of history. Few people personified our three-part mission of preserving natural, cultural and historical heritage as he did. Many not be aware that Huston also left us with a lasting legacy, Huston Landing, a 10-acre property on the east bank of the Damariscotta River in Damariscotta. The preserve is open to the public, and we invite you to explore it! Read more about Huston in the February 8, 2017 Lincoln County News article. Click on any image for a larger view. Photos, from …

Remembering Huston Dodge Read More »

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Great News! The DRA Round Top Community Ice Rink is close to being open again! This is possible thanks to the leadership of Matt Filler and a dedicated group of volunteers who got up early on multiple occasions to brave the cold weather and lend a hand. This is our 6th consecutive season of operation and we are thrilled to once again offer a free outdoor skating rink. DRA would like to thank the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District for providing the water and the Massasoit Engine Company for filling the rink in the wee hours of the morning. Additionally, we …

DRA’s Round Top Community Ice Rink – Coming Together Again! Read More »

Judging by the size of the broccoli, Twin Villages Foodbank Farm has some good, rich soil to work with. Farm Manager Sara Cawthon reports that despite a dry summer, the vegetables are thriving. Cawthon and volunteers have been kept busy harvesting crisp lettuces, kale, vibrant Swiss chard, mini cabbages, beets, squash and broccoli. Thanks to the community and individual donors, the farm has been making regular deliveries to the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Newcastle, St. Philip’s Church Food Pantry in Wiscasset, the Jefferson Area Food Bank, and the Open Door Café in Damariscotta, with hopes to expand to other programs …

Brawny Broccoli! Read More »

The first time I walked the trails at Tracy Shore and Garber Overlook Preserve in 2013, I was amazed I hadn’t heard of them sooner. The farther one walks, the more enchanting the trail becomes, with dappled sunlight filtering through hemlock and soft pine needles underfoot, winding along a mossy rock-lined stream and past fantastic rock formations before reaching the cliffs above Jones Cove. The 40-acre Tracy Shore property has actually been in conservation since 1980, when Mr. and Dr. Tracy donated it to the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The land was later transferred to the town of …

Featured Trail: Discovering Tracy Shore Read More »

Ask Trever Coffin what high school would be like for him without Lincoln Academy’s Alternative Education program, and he doesn’t hesitate. “Oh, I’d be in big trouble with my grades,” he sighs, shaking his head. The energetic, ruddy-cheeked junior goes on to explain that he found the traditional classroom environment challenging in many ways. Distracted and unengaged, he fell behind in his classwork. The fact that he works after school made it difficult for him to meet with teachers for extra help, not to mention complete homework assignments, so he fell even more behind. “It really stressed me out.” Coffin …

Lincoln Academy’s Alternative Education Program and DRA Partner to Provide Hands-on Learning Opportunities Read More »