IN PERSON at APL and ZOOM

Everyone who registers will receive a link to ZOOM in their email on the morning of the class, and may attend either in-person or by ZOOM if desired.

In this class students learn the basics of bird watching. Topics include useful equipment (binoculars, guidebooks, cell phone apps), desirable skills (identification by visual field marks or by songs and calls), accounts of some of the common birds in the area and major categories of birds, productive locations and seasons for birding in Maine, and finally a discussion of the joys and satisfactions of watching birds.

Loring Danforth is a retired professor who taught at Bates College for many years. He has been an active birder for 40 years and has birded extensively in Maine and in other areas around the world.

IN PERSON at APL and ZOOM

Everyone who registers will receive a link to ZOOM in their email on the morning of the class, and may attend either in-person or by ZOOM if desired.

Astronomers are the 'canaries in the coalmine' and leaders in addressing a number of new and major environmental issues. Light pollution, space crowding and space debris, and climate change are all connected with our disciplines. As individuals and communities, we can make a difference - but only if we know what the issues are and how to address them. The documentary film, Defending the Dark, tells the story of our work combatting light pollution and protecting the dark skies of northern Maine, with lessons that can be applied anywhere. Our workshop and presentation will discuss these and other environmental issues that we can, and must, address.

Douglas Arion, PhD is the director of Mountains of Stars, a public science outreach and education program that engages the public with 'environmental awareness from a cosmic perspective,’ is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy and Donald D. Hedberg Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurial Studies at Carthage College, and has been a leader in many astronomy educational programs. Arion led the effort to create the AMC Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park, which protects over 100,000 acres in Maine – the last substantial dark sky region in the eastern 2/3 of the US. He produced Defending the Dark, a documentary on dark skies in Maine that has been shown on PBS across the US and at several major film festivals. Among his many awards and honors is Dark Sky Defender Award from the International Dark Sky Association.

IN PERSON at BEAVER PARK (all participants will be asked to complete a Liability Release and Emergency Contact Forms prior to the walk)

A guided nature walk to explore spring birds, wildflowers, and any other interesting finds we encounter.

(The Walk will be held at Beaver Park, Lisbon, ME. Located on Cotton Rd., off of Pinewoods Road. Trails are level and wide. Meet at large main parking lot on the left by the big field just beyond main gate. Meet at 9 am, walk will end by 11 am, participants may leave at any time. No entry fee required. Bring binoculars if you have them.)

Rain date - Thursday, May 29

Alan is a Maine Master Naturalist and a lifelong science and nature enthusiast. Linda enjoys sharing her lifelong love and knowledge of birds with others.