Join geologist George Kendrick for an exploration of State Beach and the interesting geographical 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.

Meet at Skoog Park.

Photo by Norbert Leser

In partnership with the Grange. Ron DesRosier helps you to understand how to enhance the habitats you have to make them more diverse and help the pollinators as much as possible. At Skoog Park

In partnership with Fox Island Electric Cooperative (FIEC), lead by Amy Watson Turner

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

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

Beth Gilford will be leading us on a Wildflower Walk. Learn more about summer’s beautiful flowering plants. Meet at Skoog Park at 9:30.

Photo by Norbert Leser

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

Swing be Skoog Park anytime between 9:00am- 1:00pm for coffee, and snacks and visit the VLT office. Enjoy the view of the water, learn more about the organization, our mission and chat with our staff.

Wednesday, June 10, 9am-12:30pm
Meet at Skoog Park and carpool to the site

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

Kerry Hardy will lead a walk on the history of indigenous people starting with the Red Paint People and how they uses these Maine Islands.

In partnership with the Grange. Professor of American Literature, Larry Buell will lead a though-provoking discusses about Maine and Henry David Thoreau.

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

Hannah and Maisie 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 9:00am. 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

What could be better than a relaxing hike through the forest. A hike that includes your best four legged friend. Bring your dog for a walk! Meet at Lower Mill River, Overlook Trail and enjoy a fun filled hike with other dog lovers!

Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and children.

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

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

Tom Crisp, VLT Steward will lead an informational walk around the Barton Quarry Preserve. This preserve is only accessible by water, please arrange your own transportation. Meet at Barton Quarry.

What could be better than a relaxing hike through the forest. A hike that includes your best four legged friend. Bring your dog for a walk! Meet at Tip Toe Mountain Preserve and enjoy a fun filled hike with other dog lovers!

Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and children.

Explore the islands Moss and Lichen draped landscape with Javier Penslosa. More information TBD

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

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 8:45am. Children under 12 must bring life jacket. No parking at Ferry Terminal, park at town wharf or VLT parking lot. $10 Donation

First return trip around 11:30am

Janet Gohres will be leading us on a Wildflower Walk. Learn more about summer’s beautiful flowering plants. Meet at Skoog Park at 9:30.

Photo by Norbert Leser

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

Description: Climate-smart forestry is the practice of forestry, including preservation, to both mitigate climate change and help forests adapt to climate conditions that are expected. Climate-smart forestry includes -- as appropriate to the site, stand conditions, and circumstances -- both active management (e.g., harvesting, planting, etc.) and preservation.

Bio: ALEC GIFFEN works for the New England Forestry Foundation as their representative in Maine and works on a number of specific projects; for example, efforts to accelerate the pace of conservation in Maine, efforts to define “exemplary forestry” and increase the use of wood in construction.  He previously served as a Senior Science and Policy Fellow for the Clean Air Task Force heading up their efforts to capitalize on the role that forests can play in reducing global warming. He also was the Director of the Maine Forest Service and has over 40 years of experience in natural resource planning and program administration. 

Coastal Storms, Coastal Floods, Coastal Resilience – a Walk and Talk with the Vinalhaven Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee! What are members of the Vinalhaven Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee doing to help the Town address sea level rise, storm surge, and other climate change impacts on the island? Join members of this committee to learn about the programs and projects we are undertaking with the Town, community volunteers, and our North Haven neighbors. We'll meet at the tide gauge in the parking lot at 2 PM to learn about TideTrackers, the committee’s signature citizen science project. Then we’ll walk to the ferry terminal to learn about the committee’s tidal and weather monitoring project, as well as some great planning tools for community

Easy walking.
Please park in the VLT parking area or, if there's room, in the overnight lot at the ferry

Join geologist George Kendrick for an exploration the interesting geographical 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

Jay Manning will lead a walk on the Raptors that migrate through our island community. More info TBD