For those with an interest in the natural world and conservation, Coastal Rivers’ Midcoast Stewards program offers a unique overview of natural resource topics relating to the Midcoast area.

Offered every two years, the 40-hour course covers coastal ecology, Wabanaki culture, geologic history, sustainable fisheries management, seabird restoration, water quality monitoring, lobster biology, estuarine studies, and much more. The curriculum is taught at a relaxed pace with no written work assigned.

Coordinated by Coastal Rivers and co-sponsored by the Maine Coastal Program, the program involves partnerships with area conservation organizations as well as state agencies. Participants learn about natural and cultural history from a number of professionals in natural resource management fields. In turn, graduating Stewards commit to volunteering a minimum of 40 hours of service with a local conservation organization of their choice.

About her experience in the program, a recent participant wrote, “Being relatively new to Maine, connecting more deeply to the ecology and physical places in Maine was really wonderful… It was a gift to connect with so many people who are also curious about and nourished by time outside and caring for our natural areas.”

This year, the Midcoast Stewards program will meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8 p.m., starting April 4 and ending on May 27. Two all-day Saturday field trips are planned on April 29 and May 27.

The application form is online at coastalrivers.org/events-programs/midcoast-stewards and is due by March 31. Space is limited to 20 participants. There is a materials fee of $100 for the 40-hour course. Limited scholarships are available.

Coastal Rivers is a non-profit, member-supported, nationally accredited land trust with active programs in land conservation, water quality, trails and public access, and nature education in the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region.

For more information, email info@coastalrivers.org or visit coastalrivers.org.