Central Maine Bowhunters holds its 3-D State Shoot today at the Somerset Bowhunters Range on Eaton Mountain Road in Skowhegan. This will be a 40-target shoot. Registration costs $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 Monday-Wednesday 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, learning about the rich biodiversity of the wildlands and participating 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. 

Additional Photos

If you've always wanted to collect your own edible mushrooms but don't feel confident, spend Aug. 14 with Greg Marley. The noted Maine mycologist will lead you through a fun and informative class to help you build skills and confidence in identifying mushrooms. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Merryspring Nature Center in Camden. Preregistration is required, and class size is limited. To register, call 236-2239. Contributed photo

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

People and Places: Connecting Our Youth with the St. George River Watershed. Join the Georges River Land Trust on Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at the Vose Library in Union to learn about ways young people can be encouraged to be naturalists. This event is free and open to the public. FMI: Call 594-5166. 

Paddle for Pine Tree Camp Challenge, Saturday, 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. 

Women in the Outdoors Learn to Shoot a Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun Day, Saturday 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. 

Composting talk, Tuesday at noon, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Mark Hutchinson from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will will offer insights on home composting and the successful use of compost. Admission is free to Merryspring members and children. There is a $5 charge for nonmembers. FMI: Call Merryspring at 236-2239 or visit www.merryspring.org. 

Greater Lovell Land Trust, gentle walk at Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve, Slab City Parking Area Wednsday at 10 a.m. 

Plants and their Pollinators, 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 active walk at Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve, Flat Hill Parking Area, Thursday 9 a.m. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

The Bald Eagle: Our come-back bird, Friday at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

Greater Lovell Land Trust guided walk at the Chip Stockford Reserve, Saturday at 1 p.m. FMI: Visit www.gllt.org or call 925-1056. 

Native American Pow Wow, Saturday-Aug. 14 at the Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26, Gray. Representatives from several Maine & New England tribes will be at the park for two full days with native dancers, drummers, craft vendors, singers and traditional food booths. Special events will be presented throughout each day. Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $5 for ages 5-12; $7 for adults; and $5 for seniors. FMI: Call the park at 657-4977 or visit www.mainewildlifepark.com.

Looking Ahead

Mountains and Meditation Hike at Pleasant Mountain, Aug. 14 at 9.m. Take in the beauty that surrounds us and connect to our environment on this mindful hike up the Southwest Ridge Trail. Bring your own lunch, plenty of water and yoga mat and blanket. Suggested donation of $25 and up. Contact Nurture Through Nature at 452-2929 or getaway@ntnretreats.com to reserve your spot.

York County Audubon field trip Aug. 20 at noon. Look for shorebirds on Hills Beach with Pat Moynahan. Meet at 133 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford. FMI: Call Pat at 284-5487.

Open Range Day at the Royal River Rod and Gun Club will be held Aug. 27 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the club, Fish Hatchery Road, New Gloucester. Open Range Day gives the public the chance to check out our shooting ranges, meet and talk to members and learn about the safety, education, and community programs we sponsor. Visitors are encouraged to bring a firearm or two and try our ranges. FMI: Call or email Pete Thoits, 657-4184 or petethoits@maine.rr.com; or Bob Muir, 892-6096 or bobm380@yahoo.com.

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. 

“Foraging for Maine’s Wild Mushrooms; an Identification Class,” August 14 from 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. at Merryspring Nature Center. If you have always wanted to collect your own edible mushrooms but don’t feel confident, come spend the day with Greg Marley. He will lead you through a fun and informative class to help you build skills and confidence in identifying mushrooms. The cost is $50 for Merryspring members; $60 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required and class size is limited. To register, call 236-2239. For more information on the class, call 319-4556. 

Author talk and book signing featuring Jim Witherell, author of “L.L. Bean: The Man & His Company,” at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 17. FMI: Call 582-1899. 

Hunter safety course, sponsored by the Winslow Fire Department, Sept. 6 from 6-9 p.m., Sept. 8 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 10 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To register, call Don Perrine at 660-6382. 

Bowhunters course, sponsored by the Winslow Fire Department, Aug. 27. To register and learn details, call Don Perrine at 660-6382. 

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. 

Central Maine Mountain Bike Festival Aug. 27-28 at Quarry Road Recreation Area, Waterville. Family fun and mountain bike rides for all ages and levels, kids’ activities, food, music, time trial competition, camping and more. For a full schedule of events and to preregister, visit www.cemenemba.org or call 441-6227. 

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. 

Maine Huts & Trails will host excursions via pontoon boat from Stratton to Flagstaff Hut on Flagstaff Lake every weekend 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 get 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. Register for any trek by emailing info@trails.org or calling 775-2411. FMI or to check for cancellations, go to www.trails.org. “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.

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. FMI: 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. FMI: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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