Join us at Midcoast Conservancy for Wiscasset Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Thursday, June 23, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at our new office at 36 Water Street in Wiscasset.

Midcoast Conservancy was formed by the merger of four organizations: Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance. Through the merger, we have created a conservation organization whose mission is to support and promote healthy lands, waters, wildlife, and people in Midcoast Maine through conservation, education, and recreation. To realize that vision, we are committed to building partnerships with a wide range of organizations and businesses, looking for ways to work together toward common goals.

Midcoast Conservancy provides over 60 miles of publicly accessible trails, fields trips and programs designed to help people of all ages deepen their curiosity of the natural world, and 6300 acres of conserved land that are open to the public for non-motorized recreation. Our current membership comprises 1600 households. Our land and water conservation focuses on 366 square miles in the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Lake watersheds, including 17 towns stretching from Freedom to Westport Island and including over 35 lakes and ponds.  

We offer more than 100 annual public recreation and education programs and events and have nine overnight camping options, ranging from islands to hilltops, and tent sites to cabins and a yurt.

One of the significant benefits of merging four small organizations into one is that each of our staff can focus on their area of expertise, whether that is water quality monitoring, trail stewardship, conservation advocacy or outdoor recreation. We see the potential for supporting and enhancing the work our partners are doing, and we are excited to see where that takes us!

At the After Hours, we look forward to showing off our spectacular Sheepscot River views, collaborative space, and wonderful art exhibit of Jonathan Alderfer, an Edgecomb bird artist who illustrates the National Geographic bird guide series.

Transition Director Steve Patton will give a brief presentation of Midcoast Conservancy’s background and current projects, as well as future goals. We look forward to meeting our neighbors, colleagues and potential partners at the gathering.

Nature-themed door prizes will be offered, along with local beer, wine, and local cheeses and charcuterie from Riverside Butcher Shop in Damariscotta.

Contact information: Midcoast Conservancy, (207) 389-5150; midcoastconservancy.org; news@midcoastconservancy.org

RSVP to Vickie Hersom at 882-7571 or vhersom@camdennational.com.