Spring 2010
New Preserve on the Shore of Muscongus Sound
On December 16, 2009, Pemaquid
Watershed Association accepted
ownership of a 0.8-acre narrow strip
of land off Moxie Cove Road in
Round Pond, a gift from Richard and
Shirley Dalbeck and Family. The
parcel, now named Moxie Cove
Preserve, will remain forever
undeveloped and is the eighth
preserve protected by PWA.
Moxie Cove Preserve’s small size
belies its significant public-trust
benefit in terms of ecological and
scenic values. The preserve features
approximately 70 feet of sandy beach
so rare along Maine’s rockbound
Sandy beach at Moxie Cove Preserve.
Photo by Karen Berg.
See Page 10 for a bit of Moxie Cove history.
coast and affords a panoramic view
of Muscongus Sound.
PWA is grateful to the Dalbecks
for their generosity and vision. The
Dalbecks, who have a summer house
in Round Pond, live in Cape
Elizabeth and are long-time PWA
supporters.
PWA member Susan Reny will
serve as steward for this new
preserve. For more information
about Moxie Cove Preserve or to
volunteer to help with the trail crew,
contact PWA at (207) 563-2196 or
[email protected].
PWA Organizes Vernal Pool Task Force
Task Force members get hands-on
education about ecology and
biodiversity while providing much
needed data on the status and
distribution of vernal pool fauna.
Participants learn the data collection
process involved in documenting
vernal pools. They also learn to
identify egg masses and indicator
species, as vernal pools are the only
wetlands in Maine defined primarily
by what breeds in them rather than
by their vegetation. Each year in
April and May, community members
will get to be forest detectives
following the lead of a wood frog
chorus in the hopes of finding a
teeming watery breeding ground
that might otherwise have been
thought nothing more than a puddle.
FMI, contact PWA member and
Task Force Leader, Bonnie Potter, at
[email protected].
About Vernal Pools
Because of its periodic drying, a
vernal pool is fishless, and this
predator-free zone is an optimal
place for amphibians and
invertebrates to reproduce. Many of
the amphibians hatched in the safe
harbor of a vernal pool head out to
the adjacent uplands for the bulk of
their lifecycle, some surviving to
return to the same pool to breed.
Others wind up as prey for upland
wildlife ranging from reptiles and
small mammals to game species such
as deer, moose, and bear.
By AlisonCarver
Maine’s glaciated landscape is dotted
with earth pockets that hold water
generally for just a few months a
year, during which time they serve
as breeding, resting, and feeding
areas for a wide variety of wildlife.
These springtime – or vernal – pools
typically are isolated and small
(usually less than 1/10th of an acre)
and thus often go unnoticed.
To help protect these little habitat
jewels, PWA is training a volunteer
corps of citizen-scientists to
inventory and monitor vernal pools
on PWA-owned lands and other
public trust lands on the Pemaquid
Peninsula, such as those owned by
The Nature Conservancy. The goals
of this educational effort are
to document locations of vernal
pools, to raise awareness and
sensitivity to the importance of these
specialized habitats, and to monitor
the pools from year to year.
Spotted salamander and egg mass.
Executive Director’s Corner
As a general way of being, I have
absolute trust that all will work out
beautifully in all the areas of my life.
I just trust. Despite the unfailing truth
of this maxim, I still feel an amazed and
delighted awe when things just flow, and
oh my gosh am I grateful when they do!
My experience as Executive Director
at PWA is no exception. For instance,
already this year I have witnessed the
seemingly seamless blossoming of a
Vernal Pool Task Force (thanks to the
passion of PWA member, Bonnie Potter)
and a comprehensive pollutionprevention educational campaign (thanks
to the dovetailing of ideas from our
Education Committee, Lands
Stewardship Committee, and Water
Stewardship Committee; see page 4).
Another example of the good guidance
to “just trust” is our AmeriCorps Member
this year, Becky Kolak (see page 4 for
“A Bit about Becky”). In the process of
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AmeriCorps interviewing last fall, the top
candidates in the applicant pool I was
provided suddenly withdrew from the
process. Then, like a ray of sunshine
breaking through gray clouds, the
AmeriCorps Coordinator provided me
with a second pool of candidates, out of
which emerged Becky. Becky is fantastic!
She exudes creativity and initiative and is
just the right fit for PWA.
With inspiration from the R&B band,
Sister Sledge, I say to you “Have faith in
you and the things you do, you won't go
wrong.” Follow your bliss, and, if you
can sense a way to apply your passion
and gifts to help advance PWA in its
mission of conserving the natural
resources of the Pemaquid Peninsula,
give me a call. You just never know
where that little nugget of inclination
will lead...just trust it will be good.
h Donna Minnis,
Executive Director
SAVE THE DATE ~ PWA 2010
Fri. April 9: Forest Pest Seminar 10:00-noon Damariscotta Lake Watershed Assoc. Office
Sat. April 10: Trail Crew at Doyle Preserve 8:00 a.m.
Sun. April 18: Trail Crew at Bearce-Allen Preserve 1:30 p.m.
Thurs. April 22: Trail Crew and Litter Cleanup at Crooked Farm Preserve 8:30 a.m.
Tues. May 11: Healthy Beaches Training 1:00-3:00 p.m. Pemaquid Beach Park
Sat. May 22: Courtesy Boat Inspection Training 9:30-11:30 a.m. Nobleboro Town Office
Sat. June 5: Trail Crew at La Verna Preserve 8:30 a.m.
Fri. June 18: Party on the Pier 5:30-8:00 p.m. The Contented Sole
Wed. June 23: PWA Biscay Ponders Gathering 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. June 24: PWA Duckpuddle Ponders Gathering 7:00 p.m.
Sat. June 26: Puffin Sunset Cruise 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.
Sun. July 4: PWA Float in the Round Pond Parade
Sat. July 10: Rubber Ducky River Race, tentative launch 12:30 p.m.
Sat. July 10: Pemaquid Pictorial History 1:00-4:00 p.m. Bristol Town Hall
July 5-16: PWA Watershed Kids Nature Day Camp
Sat. July 17: PWA Annual Meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m. Willing Worker’s Hall
Sat. July 24: "History of the Mills" Pemaquid River Paddle 9:00 a.m.
August: Autumn Bird Seed Sale
Tues. Aug. 10: PWA Pemaquid Ponders Gathering 5:30 p.m.
Wed. Aug. 11: PWA Paradise Ponders Gathering 5:30 p.m.
Sat. Aug 14: PWA Float in the Olde Bristol Days Parade
Wed. Aug. 18: PWA McCurdy Ponders Gathering 5:30 p.m.
Sat. Aug. 21: PWA Rummage Sale 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Fairview Farm Barn, Round Pond
Tues. Aug. 24: Geology of the Pemaquid Peninsula 7:00 p.m. Bristol Town Hall
Sun. Sept. 12: Cruise for a Cause 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Sat. Sept 18: Coastal Cleanup 9:00-noon
Sat. Oct. 16: Inland Cleanup 9:00-11:00 a.m.
December: Mid-Winter Bird Seed Sale
2
Board of Directors
Bill Bausch, President
Cyndy Fairbanks, Vice-President
Bill Brewer, Treasurer
Jill Rice, Secretary
W. Gerould Clark, III
Ken Heath
Preston Kelly
Carol Knapp
Steve Laurich
Peter Lawrence
Christopher Mallory
Martha Naismith
Executive Director
Donna Minnis
Business Members
Bath Savings Institution
Cheney Insurance Agency
Consultox Limited
Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
First Feder al Savings
Gosnold Arms, Inc.
Granite Hall Store
Lake Pemaquid, Inc.
Lakehurst Camps
Lincoln County Publishing
Maine Kayak, Inc.
Masters Machine Company
Mexicali Blues
Michael Alderson Restorations
Mid-coast Energy Systems
Mountainside MD Press
Newcastle Mar ine
Newcastle Square Realty Associates
Salt Bay Framers
Sproul’s Furniture
The First
The Nature Conservancy
Ye Olde Forte Cabins
Yellowfron t Grocery
Yudy’s of Damariscotta
Adopt-a-Trail
Bath Savings Institution:
Bristol Recreational Trail
Masters Machine Company:
La Verna Preserve
The First: Doyle Preserve
President’s Corner
pride to the Kiwis. Both government
and citizens seem strongly committed
to sustainable living and
development that protects these
natural treasures. Educating the
public gets high visibility through the
DOC (Department of Conservation) –
witness the packet I picked up “Say
No to Didymo.” I think our
Bill Bausch on the shore of Lake Tekapo, an
alpine lake in the Mackenzie High Country
at the heart of the South Island of New Zealand.
I'm thinking of the Pemaquid River
watershed while touring around New
Zealand (NZ) – about diametrically
across the globe from home. There
appear to be some deep similarities –
along with some profound
differences. The incredible beauty and
diversity of the land and the flora and
fauna are sources of great national
sensitivities are similar, don't you?*
Roughly 50 years ago, a proposal
to raise the level of Lake Manapouri
by 30-100 meters for a hydroelectric
power project galvanized enough
public opposition to collect signatures
from a whopping ten percent of the
then national population and
ultimately insured defeat of the
proposal. That's grassroots activism
we can relate to.
A few NZ locals have looked at my
PWA hat and asked what that's
about. They seem to be intrigued by
*Didymo, aka “Rocksnot,” was found
Did ymosp hen ia gemin ata (didymo).
Photo courtesy of NH Department
of Environmental Services.
DONATIONS NEEDED
For PWA's
1st Ever
RUMMAGE SALE
to be held
Sat. Aug. 21
in the Connecticut River on the
Vermont/New Hampshire border in
the summer of 2007 and brought to
PWA members’ alert in the Fall 2007
issue of Watershed Watch. This invasive
freshwater algae can form masses 10-12
inches thick on a river bottom and can
trail for lengths of 2-3 feet in the current. Its extensive blooms can smother
existing life form s and starve fish populations in the area. And, it can be
spread by the transport of a single cell!
As of this w riting, didym o has not
been documented in Maine. The
key to keeping Maine didymo-free is
prevention, with ‘Check’, ‘Clean’, and
‘Dry’ as the operative words for caring
for any equipment (kayak, paddle,
scuba gear, etc.) used in flowing waters.
our network of land trusts and
environmental groups. In New
Zealand, the government takes care
of Scenic or Conservation Reserves
and National Parks and seems to do
a good job of it. Local facilities such
as trails or community centers are
created and sustained at the local
community level. Organizations
like PWA do not appear to be
commonplace in NZ, but the
dedication and engagement of local
citizens are a common denominator.
One area in which I give much
credit to the Kiwis is how they
welcome tourists. There are tracks
(trails) upon which people tramp
(hike) – from short loops to 12-day
rigorous outings. These activities are
immensely popular, and much is
done to encourage them. Signage is
excellent, and educational materials
are readily available. Trailheads are
well marked and have very good
interpretive/orientation materials,
either via signs or as hand-outs. At
PWA we're on the same wavelength
with initiatives like the Bearce-Allen
Interpretive Trail, watershed signage,
and preserve signage and kiosks.
I've loved this opportunity to see
how others are managing valued and
limited resources. From my transnational comparison, I'd say that
PWA is doing a good job – let's keep
it up! I welcome your comments
and suggestions.
h Bill Bausch, President
[email protected]
(207) 563-7981
Clean out your closets, basements, attics and help a good cause at the same time!
Household items, decorative items, collectibles, antiques, and books wanted.
Please no clothing or large appliances. Volunteers needed.
Please contact Cyndy Fairbanks at (207) 563-2043 or [email protected]
for more information or to donate items.
3
From Our AmeriCorps Member
I am excited to play a part in PWA’s
service to the local community and
environment, and in my first three
months, I have begun work on several
fantastic projects. Watershed Kids
Nature Day Camp this July has been
at the top of my ‘to do’ list with lots of
scheduling and curriculum planning.
Temperature and pH experiments,
woodland exploration, and
ridiculously fun and educational
nature songs have all made it into my
camp syllabus (may I just say I was
thrilled to find a biodiversity rap
song!). I look forward to directing
camp as well as spending time with
campers as we observe critters in leaf
litter and tide pools and engage in
hands-on projects like recycling a
plastic milk jug into a fabulous bird
feeder (see page 9 for camp
registration information).
Another significant project I am
leading is a multi-faceted program to
reduce pollution and increase public
understanding and appreciation for
the Pemaquid River watershed (see
summary below). The other major
task I am tackling is to formalize a
system to solicit local teachers for
input to guide PWA’s annual inschool educational support. My first
step has been to create an online
survey using SurveyMonkey.com,
which is a very fun on-line tool.
If I have not had the pleasure of
meeting you yet, please stop by the
office and say hello.
h Becky Kolak, AmeriCorps Member
A Bit About Becky: Becky was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, IL.
She has had a love of nature since she was a child when she would collect all the ants,
earwigs, and earthworms she could find. She expanded h er knowledge and love of biology
as an undergraduate at Hope College in Holland, MI, from where she graduated with a
degree in Biology in May 2007. She loves to hike, camp, backpack, and collect invertebrates.
Her favorite invertebrate is the dung beetle, which she had the pleasure of seeing in action
when she spent a month in Tanzania for a field studies course in college. After college, she
volunteered at nature centers and wildlife rehabilitation centers. Other than spending as much
time as she can outdoors, she enjoys reading (mystery novels especially) and eating Thai food.
Becky Kolak, PWA’s 2010 Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) AmeriCorps Member, brings a world of
imagination and ingenuity to her role. In this photo, she is hard at work giving the terminal and lateral
bud props — for her very own 'Dress Up as a Twig' camp activity — a trial run.
2010 Education Focus at PWA: Pollution Prevention in the Pemaquid River Watershed
Project Goal: To increase public awareness and understanding of ...
(a) watersheds and the location of the Pemaquid River watershed by using pollution (transported via runoff) as an example
of why the watershed concept is relevant, (b) pollution sources and consequences, and (c) pollution prevention methods.
The Four Modules of this Project:
•
Fecal Pollution Monitoring and Prevention
PWA volunteers will collect water quality samples at Biscay Beach, the Bristol Mills swimming hole, and Pemaquid Beach. Beachwaterquality education will be presented in harmony with septic system-related education that PWA will provide via the LakeSmart Program.
‚
Pollution Prevention Educational Floats in the July 4 Round Pond Parade and Olde Bristol Days Parade
PWA will have a float in these two parades with volunteers sporting “pollution costumes” (e.g., made of plastic bottles, plastic bags,
balloons, lobster trap parts, rope, diapers, food wrappers/containers, cigarette butts). Accompanying them will be a row of volunteers
wearing placards listing three or four easy ways to prevent or reduce pollution. Each pollution costume will be labeled with the time it
takes for the respective debris to biodegrade.
ƒ
Coastal Cleanup and Creation of a Marine Debris Poster
On September 18, PWA will lead a litter removal event at the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula. From the trash collected, Girl Scouts will
select items to use in the creation of a “Marine Debris Poster” to educate about common types of marine debris and their
biodegradation; the poster will become a long-term installation in the pavilion at Pemaquid Beach Park.
„
Inland Cleanups & Signage and Seminar for Watershed Education
On Earth Day (April 22), PWA will partner with the Carpenter’s Boat Shop, Damariscotta River Association, Lincoln Academy Climate
Action Club, Reny’s, and Rising Tide Community Market on a litter cleanup at and around Crooked Farm Preserve. On October 16,
PWA will lead a litter cleanup at Hunter’s Hill in Bristol, which is a site where Rte 130 crosses into the Pemaquid River watershed.
To kick off the October 16 event, an “Entering the Pemaquid River Watershed” roadside sign will be placed at the site. From August
through October, our goal is to place at least 18 “Entering the Pemaquid River Watershed” roadside signs around the perimeter of the
watershed. On August 24, PWA will coordinate a public seminar by geologist David Pope, who will explain how the bedrock and soil
geology define the watershed of the Pemaquid River.
4
Volunteer
to help by
contacting
Becky
at 563-2196
ü Water Sampling
ü Parade Floats
ü Litter Pick-ups
ü Posting Signs
around the
perimeter of the
Watershed
Paradise Pond Watershed Survey
Paradise (“Muddy”) Pond is a 148-acre
shallow pond off Biscay Road in
Damariscotta, falling within the
Pemaquid River watershed. All the
land that drains specifically into
Paradise Pond — aka the pond’s
watershed—covers 1.1 square miles.
Paradise Pond appears on the Maine
Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) list of Nonpoint
Source Priority Watersheds due to the
moderate potential for nuisance algal
blooms . Soil erosion, in particular, is
one of the greatest sources of pollution
to the pond.
Why is soil erosion a concern?
· Soil contains the nutrient,
phosphorus, which has the
potential to promote algal
blooms when it enters a pond
in large quantities.
· Algal blooms turn water
green and make a pond
unusable in many ways, both
for people and wildlife.
· As water clarity decreases,
shorefront property values
also drop.
Watershed Survey
In the spring of 2009, a team of 8 local
volunteers and 3 technical experts
from the DEP and Maine Conservation
Key Survey Results
Thirteen sites in the Paradise Pond
watershed that are impacting or have
the potential to impact the pond’s
water quality were identified (Fig. 1).
·
8 (62%) of the identified sites
were found in residential areas
(6 residential, 1 driveway, and
1 boat access). These sites tend
to have less severe erosion and
typically can be fixed easily with
low cost.
·
5 (38%) of the erosion sites were
associated with private roads or
trails. These sites tend to have
higher levels of erosion and
higher remediation costs.
Figure 1. Erosion
Land Use,
Erosion
SitesSites
byby
Land
Use
7
Impact
6
5
Low
4
Medium
3
High
2
A watershed survey entails teams of
experts and volunteers walking and
driving throughout a pond’s
watershed area looking for sources
of pollution. The main purpose of a
watershed survey is to identify
existing sources of polluted runoff,
especially soil erosion, that may be
impacting the quality of the pond.
An equally important purpose is to
raise local public awareness of the
connection between land use and
water quality and inspire people to
become active stewards of the
watershed. The complete report on
the 2009 survey is available for
download from PWA’s web site.
The Next Step
Fixing the sites identified in this
survey will require collaborative
efforts by individuals, governmental
and non-governmental organizations,
road associations, and municipal
officials. One action step for this year
is that PWA volunteers will handdeliver survey findings to
landowners in the pond’s watershed
and will offer informative reference
materials about fixing erosion
problems. All remediation for sites
on private property will be entirely
voluntary at the landowner’s
discretion.
Acknowledgements
PWA thanks the following for their
assistance and leadership:
showing the estimated impact of each site
on Paradise Pond’s water quality.
Watershed Survey Volunteers (PWA)
Dan & Joyce Burr
Regina Davey
Sandi Day
Chuck Dinsmore
Bambi Jones
Roger & Joan Panek
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# of Erosion Sites
What is a Watershed Survey?
Corps (MCC) AmeriCorps program
conducted a survey of most of the
developed areas of the Paradise Pond
watershed. Teams documented
polluted runoff sources from roads,
properties, driveways, and trails using
cameras and standardized field data
sheets. Teams made recommendations
to remediate each pollution source
using erosion control practices, and
they rated the impact of each site and
estimated the cost to fix each site.
Technical staff reviewed all data and
compiled the summary.
Survey Technical Staff
Mary Ellen Dennis, Maine DEP
Kristin Feindel, Maine DEP
Heather Germadnik, MCC
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AmeriCorps
5
Most Aggressive Invasive Found in Neighboring Lake
In September 2009, Dick Butterfield, a
volunteer for the Damariscotta Lake
Watershed Association (DLWA),
noticed a flimsy underwater plant in a
tiny cove on the west shore of
Damariscotta Lake. Dick had taken a
day-long training on invasive aquatic
plant identification and regularly kept
eyes on the Lake for suspicious plants.
His efforts led to a shocking discovery
when the specimen he submitted was
identified as hydrilla (Hydrilla
verticillata), the most aggressive
invasive aquatic plant species in North
America. Damariscotta Lake is only the
second place in Maine where hydrilla
has been confirmed; in 2002, hydrilla
was found in Pickerel Pond in Limerick.
Within a week of the hydrilla
infestation detection, the Maine
Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) implemented its rapid
response program by screening off two
inlets between the infested lagoon and
the rest of Damariscotta Lake. These ¼inch screen s prevent spread of hydrilla
fragments outside the lagoon. DEP staff
also surveyed nearby shorelines in
collaboration with Maine Volunteer
Lake Monitoring Program and DLWA
volunteers. DEP deployed benthic
barriers over several pioneer
infestations just beyond the lagoon and
hand-removed several tons of hydrilla
from within the lagoon so as to reduce
overall biomass for 2010 control effort s.
In January DEP deployed 15 cubic
yards of riprap to fortify screened-of f
access into the lagoon.
DEP effort to reduce hydrilla biomass in
the Damariscotta Lake lagoon by hand.
Photo courtesy of Maine DEP.
Hydrilla has long slender, branching stems
with pointy leaves that have tiny serrations
along the outer margins. Leaves are typically
arranged in whorls of 4 to 8. The midrib of the
leaf is often reddish when fresh. Small white
flowers rise to the surface on slender stalks.
Photo by Alice Phillips.
IF YOU SUSPECT A PLANT, DO NOT
PICK IT! CONTACT PWA TO
ARRANGE ITS IDENTIFICATION.
About Hydrilla
Hydrilla is native to Africa, Australia,
and parts of Asia and was introduced to
the U.S. (specifically Florida) around
1960 via the aquarium trade. As an
exotic species and thus without native
predators, hydrilla can grow an inch a
day and easily outcompete native
vegetation, destroying fish and wildlife
habitat. Other detrimental impacts
from heavy infestations can include
impeded water flow, increased
flooding, clogged pumps and boat
propellers, diminished water clarity,
and reduced suitability of the waterway
for recreational activities like swimming
and fishing. The overarching impact is
loss of use and value of a waterway and
a resulting decrease in property values.
Hydrilla is a hardy and tolerant
perennial plant found in lakes, rivers,
reservoirs, pon ds, and ditches. It
typically occurs in den se, rooted stands
to depths of 20 ft, but live fragments
may also be found drifting in large
dense mats of vegetation that can cover
hundreds of acres. The adaptability of
this plant to a wide variety of
environmental conditions has earned
hydrilla its reputation as the “perfect
weed”. It can grow in a variety of
substrates, in very low light condition s,
in still or flowing waters, in waters low
or high in nutrients, and in brackish,
turbid, and polluted waters.
This plant not only is highly
adaptable, it propagates in almost every
way a plant can: via underground
stems (“rhizomes”), via above ground
stems (“stolens”), via root or
stem fragments containing as
Just a tiny
few as two whorls of leaves,
fragment
can start a
and via vegetative propagules
colony!
(“turions” and “tubers”). On
top of that, the variety of
hydrilla in Maine also makes seeds.
The presence of turions and tubers is
a characteristic that distinguishes this
species from similar looking plants.
Turions are buds produced along the
leafy stems and are generally about
¼-inch long, dark green, and appear
spiny. They break free from the parent
plant and drift or
settle to the lake
bottom to start new
plants. Tubers are
small, usually white
or yellowish bulbs
that form
Small, crescent-shaped
tubers (5- to 10-mm
underground at the
long) form along the
end of roots. Hydrilla
rhizomes of hydrilla.
produces an
One square meter of
abundance of these
hydrilla can produce
two structures in the
5,000 tubers!
fall, and the tubers
may remain dormant
for several years in the sediment.
Turions and tubers can withstand ice
cover, drying, herbicides, and ingestion
and regurgitation by waterfowl.
What We Can Do
Now is the time to volunteer
to help prevent the further
spread of this weed!
DEP efforts to prevent, detect and manage aquatic invasive plants are made possible by
boater participation in the Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker program. In total,
31 out of Maine’s 5,700 ponds and lakes contain an invasive aquatic plant species.
6
New Self-Guided Nature Trail at Bearce-Allen
PWA’s Bearce-Allen
Preserve in Bristol now
features a self-guided
nature trail with 21
numbered stations
described in a trail
guide, four large
display panels, and
ten tree species
identification signs.
Topics on the display
panels include
Timber Harvesting in
Maine, Forest Ecology Basics, Forest Succession and the
Ecology of Fire, and Forestry in Practice. The trail guide
presents a snapshot of the 21
points of interest along the
trail, highlighting the geology,
flora and fauna of the preserve,
and forest management
practices. "We are very proud
of this project," said Donna
Minnis, PWA Executive
Director. “It brought together
youth and adults in our
community and allowed them
to use their talents in a fun and
meaningful way.”
Acknowledgements
A team of youth and adult
The interpretive trail guide
volunteers and community
features original artwork,
organizations contributed to
such as this Cedar Waxthe success of this project.
wing, by local students.
PWA thanks the following for their dedication towards
this project.
Text, artwork and design of display panels and guide by:
Tenley Wilder Seiders, PWA Project Leader
Center for Alternative Learning: Classes of 2008 & 2009
Lincoln Academy: Justin Case, James Corscaden,
Cameron Dodge, Tucker Phinney and Kelsey Weber
Bristol Consolidated School: Class of 2008
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine
Cub Scout Pack 213
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Map of Interpretive Trail by: Luke Lunt and Bill Bausch.
Trail Station Installation by:
Sean Ari, Phil Averill, Bill
Bausch, Karen Berg, Heather
Bolint, Vera Havens, Chris and
Lynne Gilbert, Steve Laurich,
Chris Roberts, and members of
the Carpenter's Boat Shop crew.
This nature trail project was
supported by grants from
GreenWorks!, the Maine Forest
Service/USDA Forest Service
Project Canopy Assistance
Program, and the New England
Grassroots Environmental Fund.
PWA member,
Phil Averill, installs
a display panel.
Photo by Karen Berg.
Directions:
To reach the preserve, take Bristol Rd (Route 130) 7.1 miles to
Sproul Hill Rd on the left. Travel 0.2 miles on Sproul Hill Rd,
then turn right onto Austin Road. The preserve and trail head
are on the left, with a small pullout for parking on the right.
The proximity of this hydrilla infestation to the Pemaquid Peninsula is
a call to action for PWA for two main reasons: we want to protect our
ponds from this nasty invader, and we want to help our neighbors in the
Damariscotta Lake watershed. Hydrilla is a major weed problem when
it becomes well established. Prevention and early detection are key.
For the Pemaquid-area ponds, you can help by becoming a PWA Courtesy Boat
Inspector to educate boaters at the boat launches. CBI training will be held on Saturday,
May 22. You also can get trained to spot suspicious plants so you can help monitor the
Pemaquid-area ponds for pioneer infestations. FMI, call PWA at (207) 563-2196.
“Damariscotta Lake faces a
grave but controllable threat.
It is imperative that volunteers
step up to help encourage
sanitation practices for boats
and keep trained eyes out
for suspicious weeds.”
Paul Gregory,
Maine DEP
To help with Damariscotta Lake, DLWA is recruiting volunteers to survey the entire 45-mile shoreline of the Lake this year
and will need at least 100 volunteers. Each volunteer will be assigned a section of shoreline and will be provided with all
materials needed to survey that area for invasive plants. Training will be provided in plant identification and survey techniques on several dates throughout the summer. FMI, contact Julia Davis at (207) 549-3836 or [email protected].
7
Creating Summer
Camp Memories:
The Hauschka
Scholarship Fund
Every child deserves wonderful
outdoor camp experiences. In that
spirit, nine years ago, PWA
established the Hauschka
Scholarship Fund in honor of the
family that spearheaded the
organization’s grassroots origins.
Ted and Elsa Hauschka were the
primary founders of the Biscay
Pond Association in 1966, which
became PWA in 1973. Their
namesake scholarship fund
continues their legacy and
dedication to sharing the wonders
When curiosity,
learning, and fun
converge at PWA’s
Watershed Kids
Nature Day Camp,
the memories created
can last a lifetime.
Help inspire a child
with a contribution
to the Hauschka
Scholarship Fund.
of, teaching respect for and
educating our youth about the
natural world around us and
serves as a lasting reminder of the
important contributions the
Hauschkas made towards
preserving the natural beauty of
our region.
So far, PWA has distributed
$16,275 in scholarships to 105
The Watershed We Love Photo Contest
Holding on to the perfect “Pemaquid” shot? Become a fan of the PWA
Facebook page and submit your best photo between April 1 and May 15
for a chance to win a one-year PWA family membership, PW A sweatshirt,
or PWA hat. Qualifying ph oto subjects include PWA volunteers at work,
PWA events, or a strikin g image highlighting the splen dor of the Pemaquid
Peninsula environment.
To participate, simply become a fan of PWA on Facebook by logging on
to www.facebook.com/pem aquidwatershed, and then upload your image
at the PWA Facebook page by May 15, 2010. Winners will be notified by
May 28, and their photos will be featured in PWA’s summer newsletter and
on the PWA web site.
Th is is a special con test in recognition of National Volunteer Week (April
19-25) and in celebration of the Pemaquid Watershed Association’s mission
to conserve the natural resources of the Pemaquid Peninsula through land
and water stewardship and education…44 years and going strong!
FMI on the contest, contact Madeline Stan o, PWA Facebook Volunteer,
at [email protected].
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children to attend summer camp,
including Tanglewood 4-H Camp
in Lincolnville, Morris Farm Day
Camp in Wiscasset, Wavus-ByDay in Jefferson, and PWA’s own
Watershed Kids Nature Day Camp in
Damariscotta/New Harbor.
Please help us
help make
these dreams a reality
by making a donation to
the Hauschka
Scholarship Fund.
(see form at right)
THANK YOU!
Registration Form
Child’s Name:______________________________
Age as of July 2010: _______
“Explorers” (Ages 6-8) / “Naturalists” (Ages 9-12)
TM
Parent/Guardian:____________________________
Address:__________________________________
_________________________________________
Nature Day Camp
Daytime Phone: ___________________________
Cost per 5-day session is $175.
Financial assistance is available.
[Pre-registration is required
by May 1, 2010:
Please complete this registration form and mail it to PWA
at PO Box 552, Damariscotta, ME 04543
along with a non-refundable deposit of $90.
A camper information packet will be mailed to you
once registration and deposit are received.
[The remainder of the tuition ($85) is required
by June 21, 2010.
An Exploration Adventure
through the
Pemaquid River Watershed!
Summer 2010
[FMI, contact PWA at 207-563-2196
or
[email protected]
“Explorers” July 5 - 9 Ages 6 - 8
“Naturalists” July 12 - 16 Ages 9 - 12
8:30 am - 3:00 pm Daily
$175 per 5-day Session
SCHOLARSHIP DONATION FORM
¨
I/we would like to sponsor a child for a week’s
attendance at PWA’s Watershed Kids Nature Day
Camp…..$175.00
LOCATION:
ï
Or
¨ I/we would like to make a donation to the Hauschka
Scholarship Fund in the amount of $____________
Name:
______________________________________
Address:
______________________________________
ï
Explorers will be at the Doyle Preserve in
Damariscotta on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and
Friday, and they will spend Wednesday at the Rachel
Carson Salt Pond Preserve in New Harbor.
Naturalists will be at the Doyle Preserve Monday
through Thursday, and they will spend Friday at the
Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve in New Harbor.
This camp program and other activities at the
Doyle Preserve are available in part thanks to
______________________________________
Donations are tax-deductible & may be made online via
www.networkforgood.org or with this form via check payable
to PWA sent to PO Box 552, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
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Sponsor of the Doyle
Preserve as part of PWA’s
Adopt-a-Trail Program.
Volunteer Spotlight
¨
¨
¨
¨
¨
¨
¨
Name: Laurie Knowles Herron
Age: 47
Occupation: Web site and
advertising design and
construction
How long have you volunteered
with PWA? 3 years
Programs you most often volunteer
for: I love clearing trails and doing
maintenance, especially at La
Verna Preserve and at the Osborn
Finch Cabin.
First PWA program you
volunteered at & memories of that
experience: I’m fairly new to the
area, so I’ve had a blast finding
new trails. The LaVerna Preserve is
my favorite. That’s what led me to
volunteer for the PWA.
How long have you lived in Bristol:
For 7 years now – it’s very
beautiful! I just love the entire
Mid-Coast Region.
¨
¨
¨
Laurie Herron is the Preserve Steward
for La Verna Preserve in Chamberlain and is
the volunteer designer of PWA’s new
Hike and Paddle Pocket Guide
ala her company, Royal River Graphics.
¨
¨
¨
Favorite food: home-made miso
soup
Last song you had stuck in your
head: Some Bob Marley tunes
Where did you grow up: I grew up
in Cumberland / North Yarmouth,
and we farmed a lot of apples.
COMING SOON…
¨
Hobbies/interests: Guitar, fiddle,
pottery, fly fishing, hiking,
mountain biking, and sailing.
Dream vacation: I’d love to do
some canopy exploring on ziplines,
camping from platform to
platform . . . sleeping in hammocks,
that would be a dream come true.
Favorite PWA memory: On a
January day at La Verna when I
was checking the trails as part of
my role as Preserve Steward, I
watched loons dive off of the
ledges and rocks. Some of the
splashes were so big that you
would think they were made by a
much larger creature.
What keeps you coming back each
year to PWA as a member and
volunteer? The people, the
members are great. And the places
- We are so fortunate to have so
many amazing preserves watched
over and maintained by the PWA.
History at Moxie Cove
By Kathy Leeman
This full-color guide, that folds to
a handy pocket-size, provides
directions and information about
PWA’s preserves and paddling on
the Pemaquid River. Designed
courtesy of Royal River Graphics.
“Snake Alley” -- the name of the path that
runs through the strip of land in Round
Pond recently donated to PWA and now
known as Moxie Cove Preserve -- has a
story to tell.* Prior to the end of World
War II, the local fishermen still depended
on nearby coves to keep their fishing
boats. Cars were few, and thus the main
means of transportation was by foot. By
the time he was eight in 1944, Wallace
Leeman was walking up over “Creek
Hill” (now the Moxie Cove Road) and
down Snake Alley with his father, Floyd
Leeman, his grandfather, Will Leeman,
and his uncle, Kenneth Leeman, to go
lobstering. Others using this path were
Linwood Carter and Ralph Foster. There
were a couple of fish shanties on the
shore, including one used by Will
Leeman. Remnants of the tar used to
protect the cotton heads (the woven
entrance to the trap) from rotting can still
be found on the rocks. As Moxie Cove
became popular as a summer resort, this
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strip of land remained important to
provide the fishermen access to the water,
their moorings, and their livelihood.
Moxie Cove also has a history with the
fishing industry. Early on it was the site of
a “Pogy Plant” where oil was extracted
from the fish for use in paint. The dock
probably dates to this plant, although it
was later adopted by the summer folk
coming to the Moxie Cove camps. As
lobster boats were equipped with better
motors, the nucleus of the fishing industry
concentrated into the harbors. The
patterns of the summer folk changed. In
the 1970s, a shrimp processing plant was
built at the site, and the dock served
incoming shrimp boats. This endeavor
lasted only a few years and was replaced
by a business raising oyster spat. By the
1980s, conversion was made to the
condominiums that exist today.
* The origin of the term “Snake Alley” is unknown but
may be a descriptor of the winding nature of the path.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
In memory of:
Dr. Henry and Emily Allen, from Roz Allen and Paul Landry
Karl Berger, from Mary Berger
Karl Berger, from Marie Sabin
Anna Mary Elskus, from Roger Fessaguet
Anna Mary Elskus, from Bill and Harriet Kapolas
Albinas and Anna Elskus, from Susan and Frederick Shea
Wilma Watkins, as a Wish List Grant from Mike and Jane Trefren
Webster Van Winkle, from The Van Winkle Family Charitable Fund
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IN HONOR DONATIONS
In honor of:
Our beloved sister/sister-in-law, Donna Minnis,
from Carol and Jim Watkins
Lynne and Chris Gilbert, from Lois Dodson
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Lynne and Chris Gilbert of Bristol are avid
PWA volunteers. For instance, this past
winter, they constructed new shelving for the
PWA store room. Lois Dodson, Lynne’s
sister, made a donation to PWA in their honor.
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MATCHING GIFT
From General Re courtesy of Martha Flanagan
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Have you wanted to help PWA with
their Wish List but just haven’t had
what they’ve been looking for?
Office/Equipment Needs:
·
Duracell AA/AAA Battery Charger Kit: $47.99
·
Targus Notebook Wireless Presenter:
$49.99
(to make our public presentations more professional; this gadget
enables remote advance of PowerPoint presentations, and it is also
a laser pointer)
·
Fellowes Saturn SL125 Laminating Machine:
$179.99
(for educational displays and PWA membership cards)
·
Fellowes Laminating Pouches (100 pack):
$47.99
Other:
·
Four 12-yd Truckloads of Gravel, with spreading: $1,014
·
8 Roadside Signs (1 for each preserve): $200 each
(to create a parking area at Bass Rock Preserve)
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Well, now fulfilling a PWA Wish is
easier than ever!
Instead of donating the
actual item, you
can now donate
its value so PWA
can acquire it!
(Of course, we still gladly accept
gently used items.)