DAMARISCOTTA

Free pumpkin plantlets to be given out today

Bring your own bucket and collect a free Atlantic Giant pumpkin plantlet and compost at the Pumpkinfest & Regatta plantlet giveaway from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Pinkham’s Plantation, 431 Biscay Road.

Award-winning giant pumpkin growers Bill Clark, Buzz Pinkham, Tom Lishness, Curt Crosby and Edwin Pierpont will be available to answer questions and offer suggestions on how to grow a state champion gourd.

The Pumpkinfest weigh-off will take place on Oct. 3, with new prizes.

Last year, more than $3,000 was raised for local nonprofit organizations by volunteer growers. Find out about taking part when you register for your plant at the giveaway.

In addition, Pinkham’s Plantation will be selling its $5 Pumpkin Plant Kit, which includes special organic fertilizers, soil amendments and discount offers for growing supplies needed throughout the season.

The Lincoln County Energy Fund’s Fun Wagon will also be on hand to sell snacks to hungry gardeners.

For more information, go online to www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com.

WELLS, ROCKLAND

Training helps identify harmful, invasive pests

Invasive forest insect volunteer training will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Laudholm Farm, Wells Reserve, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Rockland Public Library.

The training aims to spread awareness about the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer, invasive pests that pose serious threats to the trees and forests of Maine. 

The best defense is early detection by people who work with trees and those who enjoy the outdoors.

The free presentation by the Maine Department of Agriculture and the Maine Forest Service, co-sponsored by Cumberland County Cooperative Extension, includes lunch, snacks and materials.

To register, e-mail your name, phone number, e-mail address and employer or organization affiliation to anne.bills@maine.gov or call 287-3892.

BRIDGTON

Guided bird walk explores Holt Pond Preserve

The wetlands, forests, rivers and fields of Lakes Environmental Association’s Holt Pond Preserve provide a variety of habitats for Maine’s breeding birds, from the brilliant scarlet tanager to the hulking great blue heron.

Join LEA and birder-naturalist Jean Preis for a guided bird walk at the Holt Pond Preserve on at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

The walk will last about two hours and will cover easy to moderate terrain over forested trails and boardwalks.

Participants should bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, bug repellent, water and a snack.

Meet at the Holt Pond parking area on Grist Mill Road.

To register for this program, please call Bridie McGreavy at 647-8580 or e-mail

bridie@leamaine.org.

For more information and for directions to the Holt Pond Preserve, go online to www.mainelakes.org.

JEFFERSON

Public meeting to discuss herbicide use on hydrilla

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is considering spot treating a .3-acre lagoon and possibly a 1,000-square-foot area in an abutting cove with an herbicide to prevent the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla from spreading further in Damariscotta Lake.

The DEP will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jefferson Village School to discuss control efforts since the invasive plant’s discovery and reasons for taking this next step. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the public to meet DEP invasive species program staff.

The hydrilla in Damariscotta Lake was first reported to DEP last August by a trained volunteer surveying the shoreline near his camp.

Within a week DEP closed off the densely infested lagoon from the rest of the Lake.

“Last year DEP staff quarantined the infested cove, hand-weeded much of the vegetation, and put lake-bottom barriers in place to stop the spread of the invasive plant,” says Paul Gregory, an environmental specialist with the DEP. “However, because hydrilla is the most aggressive of all invasive aquatic plants, we expect it will rally this summer and continue to put the rest of Damariscotta Lake at risk. Given the situation, we feel appropriate use of herbicide provides the most effective means to prevent its spread.”

If left unchecked, hydrilla is capable of displacing native plants and altering the lake’s habitat.

DAMARISCOTTA MILLS

Alewife festival features antique automobile show

The Alewife Fish Ladder Restoration Festival will host an antique car display from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30.

Antique car groups from around southern Maine and New Hampshire have been invited. The public is also invited to bring antique cars — 1985 or older.

Starting at noon, rides will be available in a 1925 Model-T Ford.

Food, music and activities will be available all three days of the event, May 29 through 31. Enjoy the fun and see the alewives make their way from Salt Bay up the fish ladder into Damariscotta Lake.

For more information, go to www.damariscottamills.org.

AUGUSTA

Controlled moose hunt planned for the County

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will conduct a controlled moose hunt in Aroostook County in response to farmers’ concerns about crop damage and to address the increasing incidence of moose/vehicle collisions along Routes 1 and 161.

The controlled hunt will occur between Aug. 16 and Sept. 25.

Last year, the first year of the controlled moose hunt, 100 permits were allocated and hunters had an 81 percent success rate.

For more information about applying for a permit, go online to www.mefishwildlife.com or call 287-8000.

The online application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on June 17. A random chance drawing will be held on June 18.

The department will allocate five permits to disabled veterans to participate in the controlled hunt.

 

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