Fostering citizen stewardship of Midcoast Maine’s natural resources
For generations, people have been attracted to Midcoast Maine. They have been drawn by its beauty and abundant natural resources. They are artists and accountants, doctors and deck-hands, fisherman and farmers.
While midcoast Maine has maintained its beauty and resources over centuries of settlement, it is not immune from development and environmental pressures. Like other ecologically valuable regions, midcoast Maine needs educated stewards – people who will take care of our natural resources and inspire others to do the same.
Coastal Rivers Midcoast Stewards is a field and lecture program consisting of 40 hours of ecology and cultural history about this region of Midcoast Maine. The course is coordinated by Coastal Rivers Director of Education and Community Science Sarah Gladu, and co-taught by local professionals in the fields of science, natural resources and conservation.
Midcoast Stewards discuss beach evolution with Senior Coastal Geologist Peter Slovinsky of the Maine Geological Survey at Pemaquid Beach.
Program participants learn about natural and cultural history from a number of professionals in natural resource management fields, as well as an invitation to serve local conservation organizations as a volunteer. Graduates of the program come away with the knowledge they need to protect and conserve the coastal environment, and become part of a network of educated and committed volunteers working together to protect the natural and cultural resources of Midcoast Maine.
The Midcoast Stewards program is offered every other year between late March and the end of May. Co-sponsored by the Maine Coastal Program.
What you’ll do
- Learn from local conservation professionals and discuss a broad range of current issues and topics of research
- Meet area residents who share an interest in the cultural and natural history of Midcoast Maine
- Discover a wide variety of volunteer opportunities through local conservation organizations
- Participate in outdoor field discovery
Program topics
- Coastal ecology – forests, field, lake, wetland, beach and bog
- Wabanaki history and culture
- Geologic history
- Seabird restoration
- Lobster biology
- Estuarine habitats
- Sustainable fisheries management
- And more!
Program format
The program is a mix of in-person classroom instruction and field trips to various local sites.
Your commitment
Participants pay a materials fee of $300 for non-members, $250 for Coastal Rivers members (scholarships are available). Upon conclusion of the course, participants commit to a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to the protection of Midcoast Maine’s natural and cultural resources.
Past stewards have helped create organizations, assist with community planning, and share their skills. Some have developed their own service projects while others have volunteered with existing programs.
HOW TO APPLY
This year’s application will be available soon. The next session will be held in April and May 2025.
