Ripples: June 2026
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Ripples
News from your watershed
June 2026
What's Been Happening in the Watershed?
Celebrating our new Rockland Bog Preserve trailhead and trail expansion |
Last week, we celebrated the official opening of our new Rockland Bog Preserve trailhead on Beechwood Street in Thomaston. These trails, some of which are former logging roads and some that were newly built last summer, expand access to the Rockland Bog for hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, hunting, skiing, and more! The Rockland Bog's trails have been used and loved by the community for years, and we are thrilled to increase accessibility and recreation experiences in this special place. From the new trailhead at Beechwood St., trail users can connect to Jack Baker Woods Preserve, the Thomaston Town Forest, and the Rte 90 Rockland Bog trail. Learn more about our new Rockland Bog Preserve trailhead and plan your visit! |
SEED an artist project on the St. George River by Lihua Lei Farley |
Georges River Land Trust is thrilled to announce a collaboration with 2026 Maine Arts Commission Visual Arts Fellow Lihua Lei Farley. SEED is a multi-site art project which invites the community to draw closer to the St. George River and respark childlike wonder. Comprising a sculpture installation in Bernard Langlais’s workshop at the Langlais Art Preserve in Cushing; two events along northern and central sections of the St. George River in Thomaston and Searsmont; and a closing performance at a special site where the river meets the sea at Olson Field Preserve in Cushing, the project will span nearly 50 miles and include participatory opportunities for community members. These events will be connected by the presence and activation of dozens of “seed sculptures.” Crafted by Farley from biodegradable, environmentally safe materials, these ephemeral sculptures contain native riparian seeds, poems, drawings, and letters to the river from Searsmont, Hope, Thomaston, and Cushing schoolchildren, and fragments of her own handwritten “heart sutra”—a Buddhist prayer about the interconnection of all things. Attendees at the events will be invited to deliver these hopeful “seeds” to the river through different experiences. The opening reception for this project will take on Friday, June 26 from 4pm-6pm at the Langlais Art Preserve. Stay tuned for more information and registration for this and other events. |
Georges River Land Trust is excited to partner each year with the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District for their Pollinator Party programs. These programs create day-long, outdoor learning experiences for public school 2nd grade classes focused on insects, food systems, and nature exploration. This year, GRLT staff paired up with Midcoast Conservancy to offer nature journaling and play-based pollinator activities for 30+ students at Miller Elmentary School in Waldoboro.
Our thoughts are with those impacted by the recent fire in Searsmont. We are grateful to our first responders and are uplifting efforts to support those affected.
The Town of Searsmont has created the Robbins Lumber Relief Fund to support Searsmont families impacted by the recent tragedy. Donations can be dropped off at the town office or mailed to: Town of Searsmont, PO Box 56 Searsmont, ME 04973.
The Town is also encouraging donations to the Maine Strong Memorial Foundation Emergency Relief Fund.
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 |
Georges River Run Club!
Every Wednesday at 5pm
Explore a different trail and run with community each week
Wednesday, June 3, 5pm
Rockland Bog Preserve (Beechwood Street entrance)
Wednesday, June 10, 5pm
Appleton Preserve & Magog Falls Trail
Wednesday, June 17, 5pm
Jack Baker Woods Preserve in Thomaston
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?
Used iPhone (12 or more recent)
Whitewater knife (like this one or comparable)
Hand lenses, magnifying glasses, and loupes
Chairs (folding chairs with cushions or armchairs)
Clinometers (for measuring slopes in the field)
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
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