Ripples: July 2026
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Ripples
News from your watershed
July 2026
What's Been Happening in the Watershed?
Sennebec Hill Preserve - Fundraising Update |
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SEED
an artist project on the St. George River by Lihua Lei Farley
 Last week, we held the opening celebration and first event of SEED: a multi-site project by Cushing-based artist Lihue Lei Farley. At this event, Farley's seed sculptures, alongside an ethereal human-butterfly figure, were on display. Inside each sculpture, made from organic materials like seaweed and fish gelatin, are native riparian plant seeds and a letter or poem from a local fourth grade student addressed to the river. During the event, attendees enjoyed an ambient performance of handpan music by Jim Farley, listened to a poetry reading by Eleanor Stenger from Cushing Community School, and had the chance to learn more about native riparian plants of the watershed in a lush educational display, with plants provided by FLORA Maine greenhouse. Children and grown-ups alike made butterfly wings from recycled dresses in the Teaching Studio. Community members had the chance to ask Lihua questions about her process, intention, and background during a Q&A.  SEED comprises three more events this summer, including: A community paddle on Sunday, July 26 from Thomaston Boat Launch and back, where community members will be invited to deliver seed sculptures to the river. Register and learn more. A family event at Gibson Preserve in Searsmont on Sunday, August 16 where children will have the chance to author their own letters to the river, participate in a scavenger hunt, and explore the forest. Register and learn more.  A final closing performance at Olson Field Preserve in Cushing on Saturday, August 22. Details coming soon. Space will be very limited for this event; stay tuned for a registration link in our mid July Ripples. |
Wetland restoration planning has begun at Alford Brook Preserve
We are excited to announce that we have officially signed the project agreement with the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) for the Alford Brook Preserve Wetland Restoration Project in Waldoboro. Last week, we met with Flycatcher, LLC and University of New England students and staff onsite to fly drones to collect detailed topographic data (LiDAR data) of the restoration area. We will be doing an initial site visit with the MNRCP team at the end of July to view the property prior to the design and construction phase.
Upcoming Events in your Watershed
This summer and fall, forager and artist Rachel Alexandrou returns to the St. George River watershed for three immersive, hands-on workshops featuring special guests. Each workshop will focus on a different wild food or foraging practice, showing participants where to look how to process plants for different creative uses. Each workshop will begin at the Langlais Art Preserve, with some featuring excursions to nearby Georges River preserves.
Following each workshop, Rachel will prepare a wild food picnic. Community members are invited to purchase tickets for the workshops (which include the picnic), or for the picnics only.
Proceeds from these workshops and picnics will support our free, year-round Creative Nature programs, including youth programs and artist-led Watershed Workshops. Workshops are $125. Picnics are $35.
Flowers & Clay with Joshua Clukey - Saturday, July 18, 1pm-6pm
Wild Food Picnic - Saturday, July 18, 4pm-6pm
Seaside Foraging & Weaving with Gabrielle Brown - August 15, 1pm-6pm
Wild Food Picnic - August 15, 4pm-6pm
Mushrooms, Acorns & Sea Salt with Usha Beaudoin - October 17, 1pm-6pm
Wild Food Picnic - Saturday, October 17, 4pm-6pm
Wonder Walks return this summer! Every Friday from June 12-September 4, 9am-10am at the Langlais Art Preserve in Cushing for children ages 0-6 +caretaker |
Wonder Walks are child-centered meanders through the Langlais Art Preserve. Rain or shine, each walk offers new discoveries as the landscape shifts and evolves over the season. Our staff gently facilitate each walk, creating a safe environment for children and their caregivers to engage with outdoor artworks and trailside wonders. Children may choose to borrow a backpack containing simple tools to help them explore. And as the goal of Wonder Walks is not the destination but the journey, the group dynamic will dictate the distance traveled. All Wonder Walks are free. Registration encouraged, but drop-ins are more than welcome! Register & see full schedule here. |
Creative Nature Summer Camp Two weeks only! Langlais Art Preserve |
Calling all junior adventurers, artists, observers, and problem solvers! We are now enrolling for two full-week sessions of Creative Nature Club Summer Camp at the Langlais Art Preserve, where kids become ecological explorers through creative play and hands-on making. Each session revolves around an ecological topic designed to nurture young people’s inherent curiosity and connection to nature. With time spent roving the preserve, making art, and having fun outdoors, kids will build a unique understanding of the dynamic factors at play in the natural world around us. $225 per session. Scholarships are available, please inquire at langlais@grlt.org  Meant to Bee! Bugs and their botanical besties August 3rd-7th, 9am-1pm For ages 5-7  Detectives of Nature: Uncovering the story of the land August 17th-21st, 9am-1pm For ages 7-10 |
Together, with support from our members, we protect wildlife habitat, create public access, and expand nature-based education in the watershed. Already a member? Now is the perfect time to renew your support. |
Cars for Conservation
Did you know Eastern Tire will sell your vehicle to benefit local conservation? Selling your car for proceeds to the land trust will support our work and earn you a receipt for tax benefits. Learn more at the Eastern Tire site.
CLYNK for conservation
Your returnable cans and bottles can make a big difference! Come by our Rockland office to pick up CLYNK bags with our barcodes and your deposits will come to us, supporting our conservation work in the St. George River watershed.
Wish List
Can you help us secure these items?
Push mower (used or new!)
Clinometer (for measuring slopes in the field)
Used iPhone (12 or more recent)
iPad for boundary monitoring (capable of running iOS13, 5th-7th generation or any Pro model)
Trail visitor counter (like this one)
Hand lenses, magnifying glasses, and loupes
Chairs (folding chairs with cushions or armchairs)
Children's books / picture books about horses
If you are interested in helping us obtain anything on this list, please contact us or drop them off at our office at 120 Tillson Ave. Suite 102 in Rockland. Thank you!
Thank you so much to those who generously helped us secure past wish list items including a new fire pit, a beautiful children's book for our programs, and an apple picker!
About Georges River Land Trust
Georges River Land Trust conserves and cares for land in the St. George River watershed to ensure ecological and community wellbeing. For nearly 40 years, we have worked with our community members throughout the 19 towns in our service area to protect 5,400+ acres of land with extraordinary conservation value across 23 preserves and 56 easements, offering 80+ miles of multi-use trails.
Thank You to Our Business Sponsors
I totally relate to those late-night car game marathons—I once ended up in a heated race with my brother that turned into an epic sibling rivalry. car games