St. Joseph’s College will sponsor sunset kayaking tours on Sebago Lake today from 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Experience a summer sunset as you explore parts of Maine’s second-largest lake. The kayak tour will launch from the college’s waterfront and include a stop on Frye Island to enjoy a snack on the beach. No prior kayak experience is necessary. Participants must be 16 years old. The fee is $49. To register, call 893-6615 or email rdaigle@sjcme.edu. 

The Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament will be held at Spring Point Marina in South Portland Thursday-Saturday, with the captain’s meeting and fundraising auction on Wednesday evening. The meeting and auction are open to the public. Tournament fishing begins at 12 a.m. Thursday and concludes at 4 p.m. Saturday. The awards dinner is Saturday at 6 p.m. FMI: Call 229-5157, email cgregory@smccme.edu or visit www.mainetuna.org. 

Join Georges River Land Trust and Herring Gut Learning Center to explore tidal pools at Birch Point State Park in Owls Head Friday 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. The event is open to the public. Call GRLT office at 594-5166 to register, as space is limited. 

“Honeymooning on Kilimanjaro” with Jeff Burgess. Burgess and his bride, Diane, fulfilled a life-long dream in October 2010 by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent. A 10-day photo-shoot safari followed. Hear Burgess speak and see his photos Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland. FMI: Visit www.moac.org or email programs@moac.org. 

Nature’s Numbers: Using math to describe nature’s patterns, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

Greater Lovell Land Trust Guided Walk at the Kezar River Thursday at 10 a.m. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

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The Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Friday at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

Nature hikes at Sabbathday Lake, Shaker Village, Route 26 in New Gloucester, Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Hikes cover fields, forests and parts of the lake not available for public viewing. Learn about flora, fauna and history with Carol Beyna, a trained naturalist. The cost is $5 for adults, $2 for children, free for those under 6. Reservations suggested. Call 926-4597. 

Looking Ahead

Central Maine Bowhunters will be holding the 3-D State Shoot on Aug. 7 at the Somerset Bowhunters Range on Eaton Mountain Road in Skowhegan. This will be a 40-target shoot. The registration fees are $20 for a single, $30 for a family, $8 for youth, $5 for cubs, and pee- wees are free.

Explore the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands on a bicycle quest Aug. 8-10 from 9 a.m.-noon each day. Georgia Doucette will lead kids ages 7-12 on bike rides exploring the wildlands gravel roads, stopping to play games, learn about the rich biodiversity of the wildlands and participate in group scavenger hunts. Your child should come prepared with a bike, helmet, water, snacks and sunscreen. Space is limited. FMI or to preregister, contact Georgia Doucette at 632-8258 or gdoucett@bates.edu. 

Greater Lovell Land Trust Guided Walk at Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve in Lovell, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056.

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Paddle for Pine Tree Camp Challenge, Aug. 13, Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Freeport. This sea kayak paddle will offer routes adaptable for all skill levels. A lobster and steamer bake and barbecue will follow the paddle. All money raised will benefit Pine Tree Camp for Maine children and adults with disabilities. For the schedule and more information, visit www.pinetreesociety.org/paddle_challenge.asp. 

Basic pistol, rifle and shotgun muzzleloading shooting course, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 14 at Pooh Corner Farm, Greenhouse & Florist in Bethel. Cost is $200. FMI: Visit www.wmeproperty protection.com or call 739-9774. 

Women in the Outdoors Learn to Shoot a Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Day, Aug. 13, starting at 8 a.m. at the Durham Rod and Gun Club. The event will teach the basic skills for each firearm, and there will be appropriate range time afforded each participant. Firearms and ammunition will be provided. For details or to sign up, call Robb Cotiaux at 926-5392 or email dedbird0@gmail.com.

The Maine Huts & Trails Wilderness Running Race will be held Aug. 28 on the Maine Huts Trail. There will be a 10K, half marathon and 50K race. FMI:Visit www.mainehuts.org. 

Ongoing

Portland Trails announces the “Dog’s Favorite Trail” contest, open to all dogs in the Portland area. In 100 words or less, dogs — with the help of their owner — are asked to describe their favorite trail in the Portland Trails network. Stories will be judged in two categories: funniest and most meaningful. All entries must be submitted with a photo of the dog on their favorite trail. Entries must be received by Aug. 31. Winners in both categories will receive a gift certificate to a local pet shop as well as a complimentary dog membership to Portland Trails. Submissions should be emailed to info@trails.org. 

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Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week through Labor Day and the first two weekends in September. Guided and self-guided walks and canoe and kayak tours of the marsh and its wildlife, plus exhibits, a nature store, and canoe and kayak rentals. Full schedule of programs: www.maineaudubon.org/scarbmarsh. 

Maine Huts & Trails will host excursions via pontoon boat from Stratton to Flagstaff Hut on Flagstaff Lake every weekend in July through Labor Day week. The boat departs Stratton dock on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives at Flagstaff Hut by 5:30 p.m. Guest have two nights lodging, two dinners, two breakfast and two lunches. FMI: Visit www.mainehuts.org. 

Discovery Trek series, Portland Trails. Guided walks are free to Portland Trails members, with a $5 suggested donation for nonmembers. Please register for any trek by emailing info@trails.org or calling 775-2411. For more information or to check cancellations because of the weather, go to www.trails.org. “Explore the Eastern Cemetery,” 5:30- 6:30 p.m. Friday; “A Bit of History on the Eastern Promenade,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24; “Indian Trail in the Peaks Island Land Preserve,” 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2; “Bird Walk at the Quarry Run,” 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30. 

The Kennebec Land Trust Outing Club offers events for active adults age 21 and older. The club is a great way to explore the outdoors, get to know Kennebec Land Trust properties and socialize. Excursions are free to trust members or $5 for nonmembers. For a schedule, go to www.tklt.org. Call 377-2848 or email Theresa Kerchner at tkerchner@tklt.org to register. 

Weekly Bird Walk, 7 a.m. Thursdays at Gilsland Farm, off Route 1, Falmouth; $5 for Maine Audubon members, $8 for nonmembers. Bring binoculars and a field guide and meet in the visitor center parking lot. FMI: Call 781-2330, ext. 209.

Guided trail walks with local Kennebec Messalonskee Trails volunteers at various locations in the Waterville area, offered several days a week throughout the summer and fall. Free; all welcome. For walk locations and times, visit www.kmtrails.org.

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Fundraiser Fridays rafting trips with Northern Outdoors. Every Friday, Northern Outdoors will contribute $20 per person in a rafting group to their designated charity. Groups must preregister, and each member chooses a designated nonprofit. For more information on Northern Outdoors and Fundraiser Fridays, visit www.northernoutdoors.com/site/groups/fundraiser-fridays.html. 

Casco Bay Bicycle Club hosts several weekly road bike rides in the Portland area, and special one-time rides, often with an opportunity to socialize after. The Wednesday night ride in Yarmouth, with its 12-15 mph (no-drop) pace is most popular, featuring a different route each week. Members and nonmembers are welcome. FMI: Visit www.cascobaybicycleclub.org. 

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport offers daily nature programs at 2 p.m. through Labor Day, weather permitting. Starting at the benches at the end of the second parking lot, one-hour guided programs may include a walk, short talks and other activities. No reservations needed, free with park admission. Admission is $1 for ages 5-11, $3 for Maine residents ages 12-64, $4.50 for nonresidents ages 12-64, $1.50 for nonresidents over 65, free for under 5 and Maine residents over 65. For more information, call 865-4465. 

Applications for the 2011 any-deer (antlerless) permit lottery are available online from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Applications are due Aug. 15. Visit www.mefishwildlife.com. The drawing will be held in September. 

The Chewonki Foundation offers two five-day summer camps for ages 8-11 — one for girls, one for boys — Aug. 22-26. Cost is $1,200 and financial aid is available. For more information, visit www.chewonki.org/camp/camp_vacation.asp. The Chewonki Foundation is a nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to foster understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the natural world. 


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