Calendar of Events for 2013

All walks meet at the beginning of the boardwalk in the Bangor City Forest (Tripp Road off Stillwater Avenue, north of the Bangor Mall) unless otherwise noted. See Maps for directions. Walks are free. Reserve beforehand. Group size is limited to 12 unless otherwise noted. Walks may be cancelled due to insufficient registration. You will be notified if cancelled. To register for a walk contact: 207-866-2578 or email: Jim.Bird@umit.maine.edu (please write "boardwalk" on the subject line).

When there are light showers or steady light rain, the walk takes place as scheduled. if there is steady heavy rain, the walk is cancelled. The bog is actually quite marvelous in gentle rain.

Guided tours of the boardwalk may be arranged for senior citizen groups, school classes, clubs, and other groups by contacting John Maddaus John_Maddaus@umit.maine.edu. Guided tours will be scheduled through July 21, 2013. The boardwalk is suitable for wheel chairs. To assure that we will be able to provide your group with a qualified guide, please make your arrangements at least a week in advance.

Saturday, May 4. 7-9am . EARLY MIGRANT MAYHEM. Free. . Leader: Brian Olsen, Assistant Professor, Biology & Ecology, University of Maine. Catch the beginning of songbird migration at the Boardwalk: thrushes, flycatchers, and the more precocious warblers. Our first breeders are back and plenty of critters that are just moving on through. Come search for birds out of place and maybe add a new species to the Boardwalk record books! Meet at the Tripp Drive parking lot.

Saturday, May 11. 7-9am . SHORT DISTANCE MIGRANT BIRDS OF ORONO BOG. Free. Leader: Bill Glanz, Associate Professor of Zoology, School of Biology & Ecology, University of Maine. Short-distance migrant birds are those which winter in the Southeast of the U.S. such as the Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, and Hermit Thrush. A few of those which migrate from the Caribbean or from South America may have arrived also—Perhaps the Black-Throated Green Warbler or the Nashville Warbler. Meet at the Tripp Drive parking lot.

(CANCELLED) Saturday, May 11. 7-10am . (CANCELLED) BIRD BANDING DEMONSTRATION. Free. Leader: Rebecca Holberton, Professor of Biology, School of Biology & Ecology, University of Maine + 1-2 volunteers. May 12th is International Migratory Bird Day. In conjunction with this Day, University of Maine researchers with the Gulf of Maine Bird Observatory will have a bird banding demonstration that will illustrate how birds are captured, banded, measured, and tracked for migration studies. Location: Near the cabin at the start of the Boardwalk. No registration required.

Saturday, June 1 . 6-9am. WILDFLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY. Free. Leader: Ron Davis, Boardwalk founder, ecologist, and nature photographer. This event is for beginners as well as experienced photographers, whether using a simple point and shoot camera or a sophisticated digital SLR. Learn about the challenges and the solutions for obtaining exquisite wildflower photographs. After the event, each participant will email her/his best wildflower photo from the event to Ron for his comments. The best photo of all, in Ron's opinion, will appear on the Boardwalk's website, and that photographer will receive a free Boardwalk t-shirt. The event starts early to minimize the likelihood of wind causing flower movement.

Saturday, June 8 . 10am-4 pm. BogKIP FOR WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY (WWKIP). Free. Knitters, crocheters, and stitchers of all kinds are invited to bring a picnic lunch, a folding chair, bug spray, and a portable fiber project. Stay the whole day or just awhile, but be sure to allow time to take a stroll along the Boardwalk for inspiration or contemplation! Those who wish to participate in the Bog Blanket Project are invited to stitch a 6-inch square using natural fibers, with colors and textures inspired by the bog. Volunteers will sew the squares together to create one or more afghans that will be auctioned in October as a fundraiser in support of Boardwalk maintenance and operation. Those who would like to participate in the Bog Blanket Project but who are unable to attend the BogKIP may send squares completed according to the guidelines above to Orono Bog Boardwalk, P.O. Box 12, Orono, ME 04473. For more information, e-mail mary.bird@umit.maine.edu.

Saturday, June 22, 9-10:30am. HYDROLOGY IN BOGS AND FENS—WHERE DOES THE WATER GO? Free. led by Andy Reeve, Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Maine, School of Earth and Climate Sciences. Water is continuously percolating beneath the boardwalk. This slow and steady movement of water influences the development of peatlands (bogs and fens) and affects the living ecosystem. We will discuss how groundwater movement is evaluated, the reasons for peat accumulation, and recent hydrology research at Orono Bog.

Saturday, July 6, 9-10:30am. HOW SOME PLANTS SURVIVE WHERE MOST PLANTS WOULD PERISH. Free. led by Christa Schwintzer, Professor of Botany, University of Maine School of Biology & Ecology. Wetlands like Orono Bog are impossible places for most plant species of the Bangor area to grow in. Only a relatively few, specially adapted plant species can thrive in these environments with water-saturated soil lacking in oxygen or in extremely infertile peat soil. What special features and abilities do these hardy plants possess that allow them to thrive in these environments where most other plant species would perish? The fascinating plants that grow along the side of the boardwalk will abundantly illustrate this fascinating story of adaptation and survival.

Saturday, July 13, 10-11:30am. INSECT WALK. Free. led by the Jennifer Lund, Research Technician, School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine. Have you ever wondered what insects are found in the bog? Join us for a walk along the Boardwalk to learn about the diverse and interesting insect communities that live there.

Saturday, July 20, 10-11:30. Butterflies and Moths of the Bog. Free. led by Jacob Aaron, student of Lepidoptera.

Saturday, August 3 (NOT YET SCHEDULED) , 9-10:30am. MOSSES OF ORONO BOG. Free. Leader: Dennis Anderson of the University of Maine School of Biology and Ecology. This walk will focus on the identification and ecology of Sphagnum and other mosses. A hand lens is helpful, but not nesessary, to observe and appreciate these interesting plants. Come learn how these small plants are able to dominate an entire landscape.

Saturday, August 10, (NOT YET SCHEDULED) 9-10:30am. SEDGES OF BOGS. Free. Leader: Glen Mittelhauser, a co-author of the Field Guide to the Sedge Family (Cyperaceae) of Maine (In Press). A brief introduction on the diversity of sedges in Maine bogs, and then a walk through the bog to look at the common sedges and how to recognize them.

Saturday, October 5, (NOT YET SCHEDULED)9-10:30am. GETTING STARTED WITH LIVERWORTS . Free. led by Dr. Alison C. Dibble, University of Maine. Orono Bog and the damp forest at its edge contain inconspicuous tiny plants that are usually overlooked, yet they are easy to find and delightful to behold. We will focus on common liverworts, and learn some basics of identification, life history, ecology, habitat for tiny animals, how-to-study, and potential application in visual arts and music. Dr. Dibble will bring specimens from other habitats so that participants can get an overview not limited to our immediate surroundings. Dr. Dibble is a botanist and conservation biologist, and has taught begineers about liverworts at Humboldt Research Field Station in Steuben and elsewhere. Bring a magnifier if you have one. Kids are welcomed with a parent or guardian.

Saturday, October 12, (NOT YET SCHEDULED) 9-10:30am. BOARDWALK FUNGI WALK. Free. led by Seanna Annis, Associate Professor of Mycology, School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine. A walk describing the fungi interacting with Orono bog plants and animals. Fungi have an important role in the ecology of any ecosystem, and a bog is an area rich with fungi. Representative samples of fungi will be pointed out and their role in the bog's ecosystem described.

Saturday, October 19, (NOT YET SCHEDULED) 9-10:30am. BOARDWALK LICHEN WALK. Free. led by Jim and Pat Hinds, author of The Macrolichens of New England (NY Botanical Garden Press, 2007). We will introduce you to the major types of lichens and show you some of the commonest species. After the walk, we hope that you will notice and appreciate lichens more, and enjoy them wherever you go no matter what the season.

Saturday, October 26, (NOT YET SCHEDULED) 10-noon. NATURE DRAWING WORKSHOP. Free. led by Ed Nadeau, Assistant Professor of Art, University of Maine. We experience Nature in terms of countless shapes, mathematical equations, biomorphic forms, textures, colors, rhythms, and spirtual relationships. In this two hour fun and informative workshop, students will study and record the compositions that exist along the Orono Bog Boardwalk. Using sketchbooks and graphite they will explore the infinite possibilities that exist in Nature to further their knowledge of "seeing". These sketches for some may be the basis for future paintings or larger drawings. No previous drawing experience required. Students should bring their own sketch pads and graphite. Professor Nadeau will e-mail you a week before the workshop to let you know exactly what to bring.

(Not yet scheduled) NIGHT SKY WALK. 8:30-11pm. Free. Leader to be announced. Meet at the parking lot at the Tripp Drive entrance to the Bangor City Forest.

Guided tours of the boardwalk may be arranged for senior citizen groups, school classes, clubs, and other groups by contacting John Maddaus John_Maddaus@umit.maine.edu. The boardwalk is suitable for wheel chairs. To assure that we will be able to provide your group with a qualified guide, please make your arrangements at least a week in advance.
Donations may be sent to the Orono Bog Boardwalk Endowment, University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469.