1. November/December 2010 Volume 27, Number 2
H A B I TAT News, events, and activities from Maine Audubon
Keeping Maine’s Forests By Christian MilNeil
M aine’s northern forest is an
expanse of more than 10
million acres stretching from
the suburbs of Bangor all the way
to the Canadian border—the largest
recreationists, and sporting groups.
While the north woods have hosted
a number of heated debates in recent
years, the Keeping Maine’s Forests
initiative aims to bring people together
pivotal role in the future of Maine’s
forests. With financial support for
protecting public values such as public
access, wildlife habitat, and recreation,
we hope more landowners will choose
undeveloped block of forestland with open dialogue, constructive to keep forests as forests, rather than
east of the Mississippi River. For engagement, and the shared belief sell them off for development.”
many environmentalists, the forest’s that Maine’s forests are central to the The collaborative model is
diversity, intact ecosystems, and vast future of our communities and of the attracting attention from the rest of
size make it a nationally-significant state as a whole. the country. Last year, Secretary of
conservation opportunity. The coalition’s proposal, just Agriculture Tom Vilsack requested
In recent years, though, the future released this fall, includes an array that Maine propose a pilot project that
of the forest has come under question of conservation strategies, including could serve as a model for other large,
as hundreds of thousands of acres buying high-value ecological and privately-owned forests. The Keeping
have been traded on the real estate recreational sites outright from willing Maine’s Forests group is now working
market. These historic changes in sellers, purchasing conservation on making that proposal a reality.
land ownership have been cause for easements on privately-owned lands In the meantime, Maine Audubon
concern to many, from hunters, to mill to limit development, and providing and its partners in the initiative are
owners, to conservationists. monetary incentives to encourage reaching out to earn the good will
Now these diverse interests are good stewardship and sustainable and support of individuals, groups,
coming together to recognize that, in forestry on other privately-owned communities, and businesses across
spite of different backgrounds, we all lands. the state. Working together, we can
share a common interest in preserving Dr. Sally Stockwell, Maine secure public access, wildlife habitat,
the outdoor experiences and natural Audubon’s Director of Conservation, and timber resources in our northern
resources that deliver a tremendous is serving on a subcommittee working forests, to the benefit of Maine’s
financial benefit to Maine’s people. to implement the proposal. “Private people and Maine’s economy.
For the past year, Maine Audubon landowners will continue to play a
Executive Director Ted Koffman
has served as a founding member of LEARN MORE!
the Keeping Maine’s Forests steering
committee, a partnership working to Learn more about the Keeping
keep Maine’s forest land base as forest Maine’s Forests initiative, and
—both for its high environmental
value and for its importance to download its proposals for
Maine’s wood products industries and conservation and maintaining Maine’s
rural economies. forest-based economy,
The coalition includes state at www.keepingmaineforests.org
agencies, conservationists, large
forest landowners, mill owners,

2. MAINE AUDUBON
Maine Audubon works to protect Maine’s wildlife and
wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education,
conservation, and action.
T HANKS
Habitat, in print and online
Christian MilNeil, Editor
Laura Duffy, Layout Editor
E-mail: habitat@maineaudubon.org
Staff Directors EDUCATION
Ted Koffman, Executive Director
Sue Cilley, Business Administration Director
Robert Savage, Property Management Director
Sally Stockwell, Conservation Director 900 elementary school
Kara Wooldrik, Education Director students at Reiche
Officers, Maine Audubon Board of Trustees Community School,
Alexander K. (Sandy) Buck, Jr., President East End Community
Charles (Kip) Moore, Vice President
Jeff Skaggs, Treasurer School, and West School
Francesca Galluccio-Steele, Secretary in Portland participated
Full list of trustees and staff at www.maineaudubon.org. in Maine Audubon’s
Maine Audubon Headquarters School Collaboration
20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105 curriculum, which includes
Phone: (207) 781-2330 comprehensive, hands-on
Visitor Centers and Wildlife Sanctuaries environmental education
Unless a separate number is listed, call (207) 781-2330 for
information, or visit www.maineaudubon.org for descriptions
lessons in the classroom and
and directions. outside at Maine Audubon
Year-round Programs: nature centers.
Falmouth: Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
Holden: Fields Pond Audubon Center, (207) 989-2591
Summer-Fall Programs (in-season phone numbers):
Hundreds of children in
Elliotsville: Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, the Bangor and Portland
(207) 631-4050 regions participated in
Freeport: Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary
Maine Audubon preschools,
Rockland: Project Puffin Visitor Center, (207) 596-5566
Scarborough: Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, afterschool programs, and
(207) 883-5100 summer and school vacation
Local Maine Audubon Chapters camps.
www.maineaudubon.org/chapters
Downeast: (207) 664-4400; deaudubon@verizon.net
Fundy: (207) 255-8970; thomas.finlay@gmail.com A new Habitat Discovery Room opened at our Fields
Merrymeeting: (207) 729-8661; merrymeeting@maineaudubon.org Pond Audubon Center, which will help us reach more
Midcoast: (207) 641-1077; sschubel12@tidewater.net
Penobscot Valley: (207) 989-259; duchesne@midmaine.com children and families in the Bangor area.
Western Maine: (207) 778-6285; bknapp@beeline-online.net
York County: (207) 799-1408; mijord@maine.rr.com Maine Audubon
Maine Audubon is an independently funded educators
and operated affiliate of National Audubon continued to lead
Society, Inc. in the development
Habitat, the journal of Maine Audubon, ISSN 0739-2052,
of Maine’s
is published bimonthly. Environmental
Literacy Plan,
To receive Habitat, join Maine Audubon!
which will integrate
Support conservation, and receive membership environmental
discounts and timely insider information about education into K-12
Maine’s wildlife and nature-based activities schools and position the state for federal funding.
at maineaudubon.org/give or call (207) 781-2330,
ext. 230.
Between our four staffed nature centers, Maine
Audubon offered hundreds of evening and weekend
programs for families and adults, including sold-out
hits like our annual Eyes on Owls program, which
www.facebook.com/maineaudubon drew over 375 people of all ages.
2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG

3. YEAR IN REVIEW
TO Y OUR S UPPORT !
CONSERVATION ADVOCACY
Maine Audubon served
as a founding member
of a collaborative
initiative to develop a
new, broadly shared
vision for conservation
in Maine’s North Woods
(see cover story).
Photo by Kerry Woodbury
Maine Audubon brought habitat conservation Maine Audubon members and
and transportation planning tools to new regions, volunteers sent hundreds of phone
with partnerships in the Gorham-Portland area calls, postcards, and e-mails to
and the Mahoosucs in Western Maine. Maine’s Senators to advocate for
national legislation to address climate
change and grow our renewable
energy industries.
Maine Audubon was
a lead advocate for
climate change action in
Maine, serving on the
Photo by Mahalie Stackpole State Adaptation Task
Force, pressing for bold
With our new Wildlife Road Watch website, Maine
legislation, and making
Audubon launched an innovative citizen science
community presentations
program to engage the public in identifying and
around the state.
conserving critical wildlife crossings on Maine roads.
Audited financial statements are available at Maine Audubon headquarters, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG 3

4. Winter
Activities & Trips
Eagle owl, photo by Mark Wilson
Unless otherwise noted,
Program and trip prices listed as Maine Audubon members/nonmembers. Maine Audubon staff naturalist,
* Advance registration necessary. Call (207) 781-2330 Eric Hynes leads our wildlife
trips as well as public programs
At Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center.
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center offers trails and diverse habitats on a 65-acre
wildlife sanctuary, plus a year-round education center and Maine Audubon
Nature Store. (207) 781-2330
Adopt a
Northern Saw-whet Owl Naturalists’ Forum: with shamanic practitioners Evelyn C.
Maine’s Rivers and Relics Rysdyk and C. Allie Knowlton of Spirit
Landis Hudson of Maine Rivers will Passages. They will be joined by local
be here to host a screening of the naturalist and storyteller Margi Huber.
film Maine’s Rivers and Relics, which This is a perfect opportunity to rekindle
documents communities’ efforts to your connection to nature.
remove outdated dams and restore New Sunday, December 19
England’s rivers and their fisheries. The 7-8:30 p.m.
film will be followed by a discussion. $5/$8 adults, $3/$4 children
Photo by Gary Maszaros Wednesday, November 17
The perfect holiday gift! See page 8 for details. 7 p.m. LIVE OWLS
Free At Gilsland Farm!
November
* Late Fall Yoga: For the Dark Days December
Gentle yoga bringing inner light guided Weekly Birdwalks
by Danika Kuhl, Kripalu-certified See previous description. Please note
teacher. Suitable for all levels. the time change for winter.
Mondays, November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, Thursdays, December 2, 9, 16 and 23
and December 6, 13, and 20. 8 a.m.
5:30-7 p.m. $5/$8
$80/$96 for the series, or $15/class.
Naturalists’ Forum:
Weekly Birdwalks A Big Year in Maine
Join Eric Hynes Thursday mornings Luke Seitz, young birder extraordinaire,
for a guided birdwalk at Gilsland Farm. has been scouring this great state all
Bring your binoculars and field guide; year with camera in hand searching for Marcia Wilson with spectacled owls,
beginners are welcome. as many bird species as possible. Come photo by Mark Wilson
Thursdays, November 4, 11, and 18 see his fabulous images and hear stories * Eyes on Owls
7 a.m. from his adventures on a feather quest. Join naturalist Marcia Wilson,
$5/$8 Arrive early and bring a treat to share. photographer Mark Wilson,
Wednesday, December 8 and seven live owls for an event
Members’ Double Discount Days 6:30 p.m. dessert; 7 p.m. forum devoted to these wonderful birds.
See page 7 for details. Free The program includes a slideshow
Friday, November 5, 1-5 p.m., and introduction to owls of New
Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. * Winter Solstice Yoga England, a hooting lesson, tips on
Celebrate the returning light with finding owls without disturbing
* Workshop: Danika Kuhl, Kripalu-certified teacher. them, and an opportunity to see
Backyard Bird Feeding Tips For all levels of continuing students. live owls. The first two sessions are
Let staff naturalist Eric Hynes guide you We will end by sharing a potluck and tailored for young children (ages 2
through the myriad of feeders, fountains, social hour. and up) and their families.
and seed, demonstrate how to turn your Sunday, December 19 Saturday, December 11
property into habitat, and even help 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 9:30-10:15 a.m.,
identify that little brown bird that shows $20/$25 11-11:45 a.m.,
up at your feeder every fall. Warning: 1:30-2:45 p.m.,
your interest may become a passion. * Winter Solstice Celebration or 4-5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, November 10 December 21 marks the return of
$10/$15 adults, $5/$10 children
7-9 p.m. lengthening daylight hours, an event
$15/$25 people have observed since prehistoric Program provided in part by the Joanne Van
time. Celebrate the return of the sun Sambeek Memorial Fund.
4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG

5. Read detailed descriptions of activities at
www.maineaudubon.org.
You’ll find important information about our program and trip
leaders, wildlife species you may see, supplies you may need,
weather-related options, and more.
Program and trip prices listed as Maine Audubon members/nonmembers.
* Advance registration necessary. Call (207) 989-2591
At Fields Pond Audubon Center, Holden
Fields Pond Audubon Center offers miles of trails through diverse habitats in
a 192-acre sanctuary, plus a year-round education center and Maine Audubon
Nature Store. (207) 989-2591
November forests in absorbing carbon from the Where Cool Waters Flow: Reading
Pine Needle and Raven warming atmosphere. and Book Signing
Kris Sader will give an inspiring Wednesday, November 17, 7 p.m. Meet local talent Randy Spencer,
presentation on her nature-based $5/$6 whose writing explores places where
artwork, constructed from natural people go to decompress, connect with
materials found on site. Meet the artist * Survival in the Forest nature, and escape the pressures of
who’s bringing new work to Fields Tom Copeland of Copeland Hill will modern society. Books will be available
Pond this fall (see page 7). lead a walk and demonstrate techniques for purchase.
Wednesday, November 3, 7 p.m. of survival in the Maine woods. He Wednesday, December 8, 7 p.m.
Free will teach what is edible, how to make a $5/$6
shelter, build a fire, and more!
* Yoga, Naturally Sunday, November 28, 2 p.m. PRESCHOOL
Revitalize your body and mind with $5/$6 DISCOVERY PROGRAMS
Holly Twining, Maine Audubon
naturalist and yoga instructor. December
Saturday, November 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Members’ Double Discount Day
$18/$20 and Holiday Party
See page 7 for details.
* Winter Tree Identification Friday, December 3, 1-6 p.m.
Join forestry professor Bill Livingston (shopping), 6 p.m. holiday party
for a workshop in winter tree
identification. Enjoy a walk and talk * Herbal Wisdom for Wintertime
session devoted to Fields Pond trees, Blues
then come inside to warm up and Come and enjoy an afternoon of
learn more. tea and herbal wisdom from Jessi
Saturday, November 13, 9-11 a.m. Sader, master herbalist. We will
At Gilsland Farm in Falmouth
$10/$13 blend medicinal teas for common
respiratory problems using antiviral and * Family Fun
Carbon Cycling in Maine and antibacterial herbs, as well as a tasty Ages 2 through 6 with parent or guardian
Beyond cough syrup to take home.
Tuesdays, Nov. 2-Dec. 14, 9-10 a.m.
Research Professor Bryan Dail will Sunday, December 5, 1-3:30 p.m.
present new research on Maine’s $25/$32 Wednesdays, Nov. 3-Dec. 15
forests that illuminates the role of 9:45-10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon
$70/$105
November Trips, from Falmouth—Call (207) 781-2330 * Curious Cubs
Ages 3 through 5; drop-off program
* Searching for Ansers * Nature in Your Neighborhood Tuesdays, Nov. 2-Dec. 14, 10:15-noon
Anseriformes is the order of birds Mackworth Island, accessible via $105/$158
that includes ducks, geese, and swans. a bridge from the mainland near
November is a good time to see Gilsland Farm, allows for a unique
* Good Night Nature
many of them as migrants from the perspective of Casco Bay and an
Ages 2 through 6 with parent or guardian
north gather on unfrozen waters on impressive diversity of wintering
various rivers, lakes, marshes, and waterfowl. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
shorelines around southern Maine. Tuesday, November 30, 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
From Falmouth $10/$15 Tuesday, Jan. 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 13 (weather date $10/$15
Sunday, November 14), 7 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information visit
$55/$70 www.maineaudubon.org.
Brant, photo by U.S.F.W.S To register call (207) 781-2330.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG 5

6. Conservation
Updates
Piping plover, photo by Jim Fenton
Land for Maine’s Future Bond Campaign Thanks, Jody
On November 2, Maine voters will have a chance to vote
yes on Question 3 and direct $7.5 million into the Land This fall, Maine
for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. This award-winning Audubon wildlife
program has protected more than 500,000 acres of wildlife ecologist Jody
habitat, farmland, and unique natural places throughout Jones concluded a
the state over the last two decades, and with this bond distinguished 23-year
funding, it can continue to protect even more of Maine’s career with Maine
valuable landscapes. Audubon. Jody is a
tireless defender of
Every dollar of this bond would leverage three additional Maine’s wildlife,
Jody Jones
dollars of federal and private funds for land conservation. and particularly for
Without the Land for Maine’s Future program, there endangered species. She has also been a strikingly effective
will be little state funding available to protect threatened advocate in Maine Audubon’s successful efforts to
resources. In these challenging economic times, we cannot protect rare and valuable habitats throughout the state,
abandon a proven program that enhances our rural from Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor, to the Moosehead
economy and provides Mainers their second paycheck— Lake region, to the sand dunes, beaches, and estuaries of
access to our treasured places. Maine Audubon encourages Maine’s southern coast.
you to vote on November 2, and vote yes on Question 3.
But Jody is probably best known for her leadership in
Christmas Bird Count Maine Audubon’s least tern and piping plover recovery
Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count, a census of project. Under her watch, Maine’s endangered piping
early winter bird populations, has been collecting valuable plovers have fledged an astonishing 1,421 chicks over
scientific data about North American birds for over a the course of two decades. She also mentored dozens of
century. This year’s count, from December 14, 2010 to seasonal biologists who have worked on the project, and
January 5, 2011, will survey birds from over 1,500 locations many of them have gone on to become excellent biologists
stretching from Canada to Latin America. in their own right. “Her ability to bring out the best in her
teammates is outstanding,” said Maine Audubon Director
In Maine, hundreds of casual and experienced birders of Conservation Sally Stockwell.
will count every bird they see during the course of a
single day. For many counters, the Christmas Bird Count At a recent farewell party, a “who’s who” of Maine
has become a holiday tradition for the entire family, but conservationists—including people from state and federal
it’s also an important tool for scientists to assess how agencies, representatives of the Governor’s office, and
bird populations are changing over time. longtime friends of Maine Audubon—came to Gilsland
Farm to celebrate Jody’s career. Speaker after speaker
No matter where you are in Maine, there’s a Christmas thanked Jody for her passion for defending wildlife,
Bird Count event near you. Visit www.maineaudubon.org for helping and “watching” our wildlife agencies, for
to learn more or sign up. using creative approaches to solving problems, and for
persevering when times got difficult.
Eco-Lotto
Looking for a fun stocking stuffer for the wildlife lovers Jody leaves big shoes to fill, but Maine Audubon will strive
in your family? Consider the new “Road Kill Cash” lottery to ensure a smooth transition for the piping plover and
ticket, available at stores all over the state. Proceeds from least tern recovery project when the birds return in the
the scratch tickets benefit the Maine Outdoor Heritage spring of 2011. As for Jody, she reminds us that she lives
Fund, which has been helping to fund critical conservation only 15 minutes away from Reid State Park where she
and wildlife projects throughout the state since 1996. hopes to continue watching piping plovers establish nests
and raise their young.
6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG

7. lessons in the classroom. Fields Pond. Kris will also
Thanks to The Braitmayer be working on an outdoor
Foundation and the Maine installation with similar
Community Foundation themes for the top of the
Members’ Double School Collaborations Hancock County Fund for sanctuary’s Ravine Trail.
Discount Days Expand making the investments The sanctuary is open daily
Maine Audubon members Maine Audubon’s School to expand this successful from dawn to dusk, and the
can do their holiday shopping Collaborations programs, educational effort. nature center building is open
with a 20% discount on most profiled in the September/ Thursdays through Saturdays,
items at our nature stores, October issue of Habitat, will “Two Houses” at 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
plus free gift wrapping, on our soon expand to the Bangor Fields Pond
Members’ Double Discount area at Fields Pond Audubon Fields Pond Audubon Center
Days. Center. will host two art installations
from Kris Sader of Orono
The Gilsland Farm Double Following the successful through December. Inside
Discount Days will be on model pioneered at the nature center, the
Friday, November 5 from 1-5 Gilsland Farm Audubon “Two Houses” exhibit is a
p.m. and Saturday, November Center in partnership thoughtful exploration of
6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The with Portland-area public neotropical bird migration
Fields Pond Double Discount schools, professional Maine between northern Mexico
Day will be on Friday, Audubon educators will soon and the northeast region of
December 3, from 1-6 p.m., be working with teachers the United States. The piece
followed by the Penobscot in the Bucksport/Orland focuses on the leap of faith
Valley Chapter holiday party. school system to provide involved in migration, the
As always, your purchases engaging outdoor learning implications of losing one’s
opportunities at Fields Pond home, and the neotropical Artist Kris Sader installs a piece at
support Maine Audubon’s Fields Pond Audubon Center.
conservation mission. in addition to nature-based bird species that use
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 WWW.MAINEAUDUBON.ORG 7

8. Celebrate the Gifts of
Maine’s Wildlife
FSC logo
Maine Audubon Gift Membership Nonprofit Org.
Share the benefits of Maine Audubon with friends and U.S. Postage
family by giving a gift membership. Call (207) 781-2330 ext. PAID
Portland, ME
230, or give online at maineaudubon.org/give. 20 Gilsland Farm Road
Permit No. 92
Falmouth, ME 04105
Northern Saw-whet Owl Adoptions
Support local research on these nocturnal birds.
Call (207) 781-2330, ext. 209 for details.
Maine Audubon Nature Stores
Visit the Maine Audubon Nature Stores at Gilsland Farm
in Falmouth and Fields Pond in Holden. Where else can
you combine your holiday shopping with a relaxing hike
through a nature sanctuary? We’ve got hundreds of fun
and educational gifts for all ages, and Maine Audubon
members receive 10% off most items (and save even more
on Members’ Double Discount Days—see page 7).
Help Us Meet the Match for Maine’s Wildlife
New Benefits for Members
With challenges like climate change and the transition to Just show your Maine Audubon membership card to receive
a clean-energy economy, Maine Audubon’s respected, rea- these discounts from Maine Audubon Corporate Partners:
sonable leadership in wildlife conservation is needed more 20% off rugs, furniture, and home accessories at Angela
than ever. You can count on Maine Audubon to focus on Adams Designs in Portland. Order at angelaadams.com
solutions that will make a real difference for Maine’s wild- and enter ‘audubon’ as the promotion code.
life and habitat. 10% off custom framing, framing supplies, and repairs
(excludes commissioned artwork) at Casco Bay Frames
Help make a better future for wildlife in Maine with a gift and Gallery in Portland. Call (207) 774-1260.
to our 2010-11 Annual Fund today! Call us for details: For more information about Corporate Partners and how
(207) 781-2330 ext. 230. your business can get involved, visit maineaudubon.org/
corporatepartners or call (207) 781-2330, ext. 230.
Snowy egret and great blue heron, photos by Lloyd W. Alexander
Increase the impact of your gift:
Maine Audubon has received a second $50,000 challenge grant from the Elmina B. Sewall
Foundation. Your Annual Fund gift could qualify for matching funds—call us!