Ripples: March 2026
Ripples
News from your watershed
March 2026
Sunny, snowy days in the woods are here - but spring is on the way!
Trail expansion at Porter Preserve in Searsmont coming soon!
Our Trails and Stewardship staff, along with our amazing volunteers, don't slow down during the winter! We've been working on expanding the trails at Porter Preserve, a hidden gem in Searsmont which currently offers a 0.25-mile trail with access to the St. George River. Stay tuned for more details and a new map of the expanded trails at Porter Preserve!
4th grade students write letters to the river as part of Lihua Lei Farley's upcoming summer installation and performances
In February, land trust staff and artist Lihua Lei Farley visited Thomaston Grammar School's 4th grade classes to lead a lesson on what a watershed is, the interconnectivity of living and nonliving things within it, and prompt the students to write letters or draw pictures to the St. George River. The students' creations will be incorporated into Lihua's upcoming installation and performances this summer at various land trust preserves and along the river. This is the first of four public elementary schools within the watershed whose 4th grade classes will be participating in Lihua's project.
Our wonderful, wintry walks continue!
We have been having so much fun romping in the woods during our guided group hikes and community events this winter! Thank you to everyone who joined us for February's hike at the Langlais Art Preserve. If you haven't checked out the woodland trails at the Langlais Art Preserve, now is a great time to visit! You can still admire Forest Geometries, the installation by artist Gina Siepel, along the trails - and we think the sculptures look particularly striking in the snow.
Announcing Creative Nature Summer Camp!
Two weeks only at the Langlais Art Preserve in Cushing
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
Recommended for ages 5-7
Detectives of Nature:
Uncovering the story of the land
August 17th-21st, 9am-1pm
Recommended for ages 7-10
Upcoming Events
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.
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
Great to see the trails at Porter Preserve expanding and kids connecting with the river through art! For anyone who enjoys a good challenge, this arrow puzzle is a fun way to keep your brain sharp between hikes.
Just discovered block poster and my mind is blown — you can print huge wall art using just a regular home printer! Perfect for classroom projects or turning a small design into a massive statement piece. Definitely trying this for my next nature-themed art project. 🖨️🌿
Absolutely wonderful scenery! Hiking is my favorite outdoor activity, and national parks are always a great choice.
Really glad to hear Porter Preserve is getting more trails — a longer loop along the St. George River gives folks in Searsmont a better reason to get outside. And the 4th graders writing letters to the river is such a simple, lovely way to teach watersheds; I came across a similar idea about place-based learning on Jane Austen's Page the other day. Looking forward to the new map!
Winter trail work is the best kept secret—so excited to see Porter Preserve get more room to roam along the St. George River. And that artist-in-residence project with the 4th graders sounds like a perfect way to get kids hooked on their local watershed. I've been following along with the land trust's updates at https://fruit-love-island.com