Success! A great blue heron caught in Harpswell is now flying around wearing her new solar powered GPS transmitter. This project was made possible by help from HHLT volunteers and Harpswell Coastal Academy teachers and students. Danielle D’Auria, a wildlife biologist with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, spent weeks scouting the Harpswell area… Read more
By Melissa Fochesato, Director of Mid Coast Center for Community Health & Wellness Although many Americans understand the importance of physical activity, a majority of us are not getting enough. Physical inactivity is now a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, public health experts have been studying the effects of a person’s environment on physical… Read more
We have all used the term “for the birds” at one time or another, perhaps to describe an idea we find preposterous or an aging uncle who has lost a few marbles along his way. The online Free Dictionary defines the term as relating to something that has no value or is boring. While some… Read more
Deer or black legged tick Unless you are new to Maine, you probably know that we have some issues with tick-borne disease here. What you may not know, however, is just how serious the tick problem has become for much of our state. I would love to pass along good news to you in this… Read more
Thanks to Maine’s coastal location, and the wide variety of habitats on offer, we are blessed with hundreds of different birds. Over 460 species have been documented in Maine, with around 330 species seen regularly. Some are residents and others are passing through on their annual migration. Although a small community, Harpswell is a popular… Read more
As May’s longer days warm the soil, we wait anxiously for the day we can get those new plants and seeds into the garden. The garden centers and nurseries abound with seedlings, each vying for attention. The Harpswell Garden Club maintains the gardens at Harpswell Historic Park on Route 123 in Harpswell Center, and our… Read more
Winter passes slowly for wildlife and for humans, but the longer days tell us that spring is only a few weeks away. Soon your favorite species will emerge from hibernation or return from long migrations to warmer climates. Better weather will trigger the mating season for many creatures and finding a home for rearing their… Read more
In addition to preserving land, building trails and providing educational programs, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust also supports community and school gardens! In 2005 an anonymous donor set up a fund to provide grants to Harpswell-based community and school gardens. Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) manages the fund. In 2019 HHLT awarded five grants. Harpswell Community… Read more
By Kyle Rosenberg, local arborist and plant enthusiast While Ole’ Man Winter had his accomplice, Boreas, sweep down from the north with bitter cold this winter, I know that March is closely followed by the budding of spring. As I look out the window at 5:30 p.m. this 28th day of February, it is clear… Read more
Most of us have a weak spot for a particular wild creature, one that appeals to us as beautiful, cuddly or endangered. For me it is the Rocky Mountain elk, one of North America’s most impressive mammals. Other people might favor the common loon, a baby bear, or the grey wolf. But some folks become… Read more