We offer a variety of events throughout the year from Bird Walks, to Costal Cleanups, and Outdoor Photography Workshops, check back often to see what’s new. Join our mailing list to be notified about upcoming events including spur of the moment pop-up events! We look forward to seeing you!
Walks and Talks & Events Calendar
Walks & Talks
VLT is proud to offer numerous opportunities to learn more about the beautiful island of Vinalhaven and connect with nature!
All our Walks & Talks are free unless otherwise noted.
Butterflies Zoom
Join VLT, in office (Skoog Park) or over Zoom to learn all about the amazing world of insects! Last year we learned about Dragonflies, this year learn about Butterfies with Herb Wilson.
Photo: University of Maine
Bird Walk
First Official Bird Walk of the Season!
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers.
Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Geology Walk
Join geologist George Kendrick for an exploration of the interesting geological features present in the world around us and under our feet. Please wear appropriate shoes for hiking, as well as suitable clothing and insect repellent. Location to be explored TBD.
Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Norbert Leser
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Hurricane Island Trip
Take a boat ride to Hurricane Island, a former quarrying town. Explore the history, hike the island and learn more about Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership.
No reservations, first boat trip at 9:30am. Children under 12 must bring life jacket. No parking at Ferry Terminal, park in VLT parking lot. $10 Donation
First return trip around 11:30am
Meet at Ferry Terminal
Mysteries of Maine Wildlife
Have you ever wanted to know more about the wildlife that Maines home? This one-hour presentation led by nature author Ed Robinson will feature Atlantic Puffins, Bears, Northern Saw-Whet Owls, Canada Lynx, the American Mink and a few surprises. With stunning photographs, interesting biological facts and engaging stories, the presentation will entertain and educate,
Ed Robins has published two books “Nature Notes from Maine” River Otters, Moose, Skunks & More” and “Nature Notes from Maine” Puffins, Black Bears, Raccoons & More. Books will be available to purchase.
Meet at the TOWN OFFICE
Wheelchair Accessible
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
"Salt Water Intrusion"
Vinalhaven Island has a finite amount of freshwater, refreshed through snowmelt and rain. With increased water use, changing climate, and drought, salt water intrusion into freshwater drinking supplies is a threat. Learn more about salt water intrusion. More details coming soon.
Skoog Park under the Tent
Annual Meeting
Celebrate 40 Years of Conservation! VLT invites you to the 41st Annual Meeting, Friday, July 24th at 4:00pm! It’s a wonderful event that brings our community together to celebrate and acknowledge all we’ve accomplished in the year. After our guest speaker, and reports from board members and the executive director, please enjoy snacks and drinks while you catch up with friends and make some new ones. See you there!
Our Annual Meeting speaker, Denise Schlener, will discuss The Power of Place: the Land Trust Journey, a worthy topic for our 40th anniversary. Denise is a life-long conservation professional and a regular visitor to Vinalhaven. Childhood camping trips nurtured a love for the outdoors, and a post-college job for The Wilderness Society to work on the Alaska Conservation Act led to a rich career protecting wild and scenic places. She has held Executive Leadership positions at the Land Trust Alliance, The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut Chapter, Trust for Public Lands’ Chesapeake Field Office and the Open Space Institute’s Northern Forest Protection Fund. Denise holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MS from the Yale School of the Environment. She serves on the board of The Wilderness Land Trust and the Tregaron Conservancy, an urban land trust in Washington DC where she resides.
After the meeting enjoy snacks and refreshments and spend time with fellow members, the board, and VLT Staff.
Please arrive by 3:45 to check in and get you name tag.
At Skoog Park
Paddle Perry Creek and Hike Fox Rocks w/North Haven Conservation
Partnership with North Haven Conservation.
Enjoy a paddle on Perry Creek, bring your kayak to the Throughfare. Take a paddle and meet up with North Haven Conservation. After paddling, enjoy a hike up Fox Rocks in Perry Creek Conservation Area. Please bring your own kayak.
Photo by Sheri Romer Brock
Meet at the Thoroughfare
Pressed Flower Workshop
Co-sponsored with Pleasant River Grange
Naturalist Beth Gilford will teach us how to make pressed wildflowers into cards, in this indoor event. All materials provided, just bring your creativity! Open to both Adults and Children. 🎒
Meet at Pleasant River Grange
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers.
Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Atlas of Kinship: Seabirds, People & Place.
Co-Sponsored with Pleasant River Grange
An author talk & writing workshop.
Check back soon for more details
Meet at Pleasant River Grange
Geology Walk
Join geologist George Kendrick for an exploration of the interesting geological features present in the world around us and under our feet. Please wear appropriate shoes for hiking, as well as suitable clothing and insect repellent. Location to be explored TBD.
Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Norbert Leser
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Each Thursday this summer, VLT will offer a bird walk with a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
Bird Walk
Join us for the Final Bird Walk of the season!
lead by a local knowledgeable and enthusiastic birder. They will show you where to find the most interesting birds, and tips on how to identify them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Expect uneven terrain, but it should be generally fine for most walkers. Meet at Skoog Park.
Photo by Kirk Gentalen
The Lost Mariners Tower
Led by Fred Granger & Dana Peterson
Check back soon for more details about this programs!
Meet at The Tower
Basin Cleanup
After a long winter, help us remove litter from our beautiful and ecologically important Basin! It will be mucky and smelly, and trash bags will need to be carried out to the side of the road along a rough trail.
Meet at Skoog Park.
Be prepared for muddy, uneven terrain by bringing Boots and gloves! Trash bags will be provided. See you there!
After join us for refreshments back at Skoog Park
Woodcock Walk
Join Kirk Gentalen on a sunset walk to listen and look for Woodcocks along Lane’s Island!
*Canceled* Spring Equinix Walk
*CANCELED! Due to weather*
Join Vinalhaven Land Trust for a candlelit walk at Grimes Park to welcome the spring equinox. Experience the park in a new way as you walk the short path with twinkling luminaries lighting your way. See you there! In partnership with American Legion Post 18 of Vinalhaven
At Grimes Park
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
The birds around you are responding to our changing climate in real time. Help scientist better understand these shifts by surveying species. Join us at Skoog Park to Identify them, count them, and submit your counts to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. Coffee and snacks provided.
At Skoog Park
Check out https://www.birdcount.org/ for more info about the GBBC and its sponsors
Star Party With John Meader
Have you ever looked at the night sky and wondered about all the stars and planets you see. Join John Meader at Lane’s island for a fascinating talk about the wonders of the night sky. Learn about constellations, the planets and our galaxy in this family friendly walk!
Meet at Lane’s Island
Please Dress Warmly!
Community Roadside Clean Up
Join us in keeping Vinalhaven beautiful! We will be picking up trash along the roadside. Please wear reflective clothing, boots and gloves.
Meet in the parking lot of Skoog Park to pick up trash bags and road suggestions.
More info coming soon!
Roberts Harbor Cemetery
Eric Davis leads a walk around one of the local cemeteries, discussing the lives of the people who came before on the island.. Meet at Roberts Harbor Cemetery
Intertidal Zone Walk
"Scallops scallops everywhere and all the meats to eat!"
Phoebe Jekielek from the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, leads a fascinating exploration of the intertidal zone and the creatures that make their home there! Please wear clothes that can get damp and muddy.
Meet at Skoog Park
Scallop Talk
"Scallops scallops everywhere and all the meats to eat!"
This talk will highlight the uniqueness of scallops as a species and delve into the industries working to bring it to our tables. We'll also learn about how these industries are managed and the research being conducted around the state to understand the ecology, biology, and economics of scallops and the industries they support.
This event is “All-Ability friendly”
MEET AT VINALHAVEN LIBRARY
Tales From The Nest Box: Conservation, Conflict, Heartbreak & Other Stories From Tree Swallow Monitoring
Every spring the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island erects over 300 nest boxes for tree swallows as part of the Cornell University Ornithology Lab's Project Nest Watch. NBS Assistant Director of Conservation, and guest VLT bird walk leader, Jay Manning will discuss the results and thought-provoking observations from Norman's nest box monitoring program in this presentation.
This event is Wheelchair Accessible
Skoog Park
Vinalhaven's Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee
Vinalhaven's Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee wants to hear from you! What are your fears and hopes for the future of the island amidst a rising sea and changing climate?
Join members of the committee for an opportunity to learn about the long-term history of the area we now know as Main Street and to collaboratively envision what a resilient future for Vinalhaven might look like. This interactive walking tour will begin promptly at 2:00 PM behind the Old Fire Hall in the Downtown Parking Lot. Through shared reflection and conversation, this event offers a chance for participants to consider the challenges ahead and contribute ideas for how the island can adapt and thrive amidst uncertainty and change.
Meet Behind Old Fire Hall in Downtown Parking
Dragonfly Zoom
Join us a Skoog Park or online with the Zoom link as Herb Wilson shares his knowledge about all things dragonfly. Learn about this amazing insect and its importance to its local ecosystem!
This event is being presented both in person at Skoog Park and Online via a Zoom link. It is “Wheel Chair accessible”.
ZOOM LINK:
Barton’s Quarry
Tom Crisp, VLT steward, leads a walk along the rugged, somewhat steep trail loop. Accessible only by boat, there is a fairly protected spot to anchor. Please arrive on site by kayak, canoe, punt or private boat. VLT will not provide transportation for this walk. Meet at Barton’s Quarry.
Entrance to preserve is just north of the entrance to the Basin. The large old pier cannot be used for landing.
Four Fossil Quarry Tour
Take a tour of the Four Fossil Quarry! Learn about quarrying and the granite industry on this interesting walk!
Direction head toward the Thoroughfare from town, it is the driveway just before the Wind Towers.
Skoog Park, VLT Office Tour
Swing by Skoog Park between 9:00am- 12:00pm for coffee and snacks. Visit the VLT office, enjoy the view of the water, learn more about the organization, our mission and chat with our staff.
Otters Walk
Kirk Gentalen leads a walk in nature searching for signs of otter habitation! Please dress for the weather.
Meet at Skoog Park
Otters are Easy
Have you ever wanted to know more about otters? Kirk Gentalen is here to help you learn everything you will ever need to know about otters!
This talk is “All-ability friendly”
At the Vinalhaven Town Office
Botany on the Beach
Join botanist Javier Peñalosa at the beach to investigate the plant life that call the shore home! Please wear boots, bring bug spray and be ready for damp muddy conditions!
Meet at Skoog Park
Fairy House Building
Meet at Story Trail at Granite Island
Monica and Kelley will teach us how to build Fairy Houses in the woods! Bring your creative imaginations and love for the mystical, and meet at the Story Trail at Granite Island Preserve at 1:00pm. This event is perfect for the young and the young at heart. Young children should be accompanied by a caregiver, please.
Photo by Norbert Leser
Clams, Everything you Need to Know-part 2
Dr. Brian Beal a professor of marine ecology, will continue educating us about clams while leading the group on a learning expedition as we search for clams. Wear clothes that can get damp and muddy
Meet at Lane’s Island
Clams, Everything you Need to Know-part 1
Dr. Brian Beal a professor of marine ecology will give a lecture based on his research on clams! Learn about clams reproductive biology and how this effects commercial marine industries. The next day Dr. Beal will lead a walk based on his lectures.
Meet at Vinalhaven Town Hall
Drawn to the Nature of Vinalhaven
Co-Sponsored by the Grange
Tuesday, August 12, 9am-12:30pm
Meet at Lanes Island
Grab a sketchbook and explore Lane’s Island Preserve with pencil, pen, and paint. Artist and educator Jean Mackay will share simple approaches to field sketching designed to help you get started, hone your observational and artistic skills, and deepen your understanding of the nature of Vinalhaven. We will work primarily in pen and ink, but please bring a small set of watercolors or colored pencils if you like. All skill levels welcome, though some experience with sketching and watercolor will be helpful.
Jean Mackay Bio
Artist and educator Jean Mackay has been exploring and sketching nature for more than 25 years. She began visiting Vinalhaven in 2005 and has been inspired by the island’s rocky coast and spruce woods ever since. She is the author/illustrator of The Nature Explorer’s Sketchbook, published in 2020, and she teaches in person and online workshops nationally. Discover the ordinary, yet extraordinary things that she encounters close to her home in upstate New York and farther afield on her blog, Drawn In; http://www.jeanmackayart.com
Sample of Jean Mackay Nature Journal
Meet at Skoog Park and carpool to the site
Zen in the Woods, Zazen, Kinhin, Haiku
Sitting Zen, Walking Zen, Talking Zen. Join VLT steward Tom Crisp in the trees at Granite Island Preserve where we will cultivate and appreciate our forest’s greatest gift: silence.
Meet at Granite Island Preserve
Seating Provided
Wildflower Walk
Our island is full of beautiful flowers! Join Naturalist Janet Gohres as she leads a walk to share her knowledge about all the different plants. Bug spray and hiking shoes encouraged.
Meet at Skoog Park
Photo by Norbert Leser
Photography - making good photos great with Ron Rosenstock
Cost of Workshop is $20
Have you ever wanted to how to turn your good nature photography into great shoots? Ron Rosenstock will help you make the leap from good to great! He will share his skills to help you become a better photographer!
For those attending please e-mail Ron Rosenstock (ronrosenstock@charter.net) a photo in advance so the group can discuss editing techniques in real time at the seminar.
Attendees will leave with a edited print of their photo to take home!
This workshop is “all-ability friendly”
“Hiking with Henry”
Lead by Kerry Hardy
Learn about Thoreau’s three trips to Maine. The first 30 minutes will be an in office presentation, and is “all-ability friendly”
After the presentation, you can join Kerry on a hike around Fish Hook and Over look. Explore the various plants and animals that Thoreau observed, not only in his book “The Maine Woods” but in other writings as well, such as “Wild Fruits” and “A Week on the Concord and Merrimack River.” Please dress for the weather, the hiking portion of the event will end at around noontime!
Native Hedges and Hedgerows: Beauty & Biodiversity for Resiliency
In Partnership with Pleasant River Grange
Lead by Heather McCargo of Wild Seed Project learn about Native Hedges and Hedgerows. Planting a corridor of natives shrubs and groundcovers is a beautiful and low maintenance way to bring biodiversity to your landscape. The layers of woody vegetation bring three-dimensional habitat, providing year round support for fauna such as birds, insects, amphibians and small mammals. Come learn how you can do this in your yard or community, and watch your landscape come alive.
Photo by Heather McCargo
At the Town Office, this event is “All Ability Friendly”
Planning the Future of Family Lands
Planning the future of family lands
Meet at Town Office
Many of Maine's most spectacular and cherished landscapes are owned by families. Planning the long-term future of these lands can be a challenge. Come learn about ways to plan wisely for your family’s ownership, preserving the family’s legacy and conserving treasured resources.
Speaker: Jerry Bley, of Creative Conservation, LLC, has worked with over 100 family landowners, many on Maine’s islands and coast, to plan the future of their valued ownerships.
Walk with VLT Environmental Educator
Take a walk through one of VLT preserves with our Environmental Educator Dani Stewart! This hike is perfect for families with children to get outside and explore! Please dress for the weather.
Meet at Skoog Park!
Scavenger Trivia
Join Environmental Educator Dani Stewart at Granite Island for a family-friendly Scavenger Trivia adventure! Bring a team and explore the island as you search for hidden trivia questions. Work together to find and answer each one as quickly and accurately as you can! Dress for the weather.
Meet at Granite Island