In-Person

Gold Leaf has outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore Maine even in the middle of winter. This Gold Leaf opportunity joins the paddling trips, light hikes, walks, and snowshoes of past offerings geared to take advantage of local resources.

We are organizing an activity each month based on seasonal conditions. It may be a snowshoe or hike/walk.

Various members have volunteered to lead the activity of the month and will be sending information about the location and type of adventure a short time before the activity. We will be keeping a close eye on the weather before each event and keep participants posted about changes and “Plan B’s.” Our goal is to be safe, have fun, and get outside!

In addition to the four scheduled hikes, members are invited to join the group walking the Orono Bog Boardwalk, located a short ride from the UMO campus, on November 14. It is a boardwalk, level walking, one-and-a-half miles long, which loops back toward the parking lot. It is self-guided with signs describing the carnivorous plants and terrain, but there will be at least one Maine Master Naturalist in attendance.

The bog walk begins at 1:30. Members registered for the Orono tour but not the winter walk series may still participate in the bog walk as part of the Bangor outing.

For all adventures, you may want to bring water, sun protection (even in winter), walking sticks, comfortable walking shoes or boots, and snacks, plus anything else that will make your adventure comfortable. Specific needs will depend on the outdoor activity and will be included in the pre-activity information package.

Nov 8, Dec 17 (or Dec 19), Jan 9 (or Jan 16), Feb 5 (or Feb 18)-2nd dates are for bad weather.

10 am-12 pm

Each adventure leader is an outdoor enthusiast.

In-Person

Discover the importance of native plants in supporting local ecosystems and learn an easy, effective method to cold-stratify seeds for spring germination. Find out how to choose natives that add rewarding and lasting beauty to the home garden.

This hands-on class will explore the vital relationship between native flora and pollinators, emphasizing how replacing invasive cultivars and turfgrass lawns with native species can help save the environment – one garden at a time.

Participants will leave with a pot of native seeds they prepared, ready to overwinter and bring new life to their gardens in the spring.

There will be a charge of $2.00 per student to cover: seeds, pot, potting soil, sand, and plant markers, which will be taken away with them.

December 3, 2024

1:30-3 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, room 110

Rachel McClellan is a Maine Master Gardener Volunteer with a passion for the environment and sustainable gardening. After a successful career in finance and strategic operations, she retired with her husband to Maine from Colorado in 2021, embracing the charm of the New England community and its natural beauty.

Rachel now enjoys renovating their historic home in Farmington and sharing her knowledge of organic, science-based gardening methods to inspire others to create positive change in their own backyards.