Summer Camps at DRA's Headquarters Preserve

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) is a non-profit community-supported land trust working in the greater Damariscotta River region. DRA conserves critical land and water resources, including outstanding wildlife habitat, public access, and cultural treasures like oyster shell middens.

We invite you to visit our preserves, take part in our events and programs, and to join our efforts as a member (download form here), volunteer, or donor.

What's New: (updated 5/17/2013)

Calendar of Events: By Day/Week/Month/List – click on the link at the top of the calendar to come back here. Also, be sure to check on the Events page for additional opportunities and activities.

Summer 2013 Midcoast Music Fest - a Summer Concert Series - three Thursdays in July, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. in Darrows Barn, DRA Round Top Farm, Damariscotta, featuring Jason Spooner Band, Slaid Cleaves, The Mallett Brothers Band and more.

The Damariscotta River Association announces a “stellar lineup” of talent for its Midcoast Music Fest in the Darrows Barn this summer. Headliners Jason Spooner, Slaid Cleaves and The Mallett Brothers will take to the Round Top stage over three Thursdays in July, with The New Rangers, Bruce Hardina and Anna and the Diggs. The shows take place on July 11, 18 and 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A series pass provides access to all three shows and individual tickets are available as well.

Promising “Maine’s best music, food, beer and oysters,” these events support the conservation and education work of the Damariscotta River Association. Tickets area available online or through the DRA office. Read more ...

Important Dates:

• Special Bird Series
• Guided Bird Walks with a Naturalist - Saturdays in May from 7:30-9:30, No fee. Call the DRA to register. Join us to witness the return of the migrants. Meet at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm parking lot. Binoculars and field guides are available to borrow.
• Birding by Ear with Randy Domina - June 1st from 7-10 a.m. Fee: $5.00/person. Call DRA to register. Learn how to identify birds by their songs and call notes. Recognize the songs of the common and less common birds in our area. All levels welcome.
• Check back often to see what's happening!

Camp Mummichog 2013 Registration is Now Open: Camp Mummichog is a nature-adventure day camp based at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm at 110 Belvedere Road, Damariscotta. There are sessions for children ages 5-7, 6-9 and 9-12. Additionally this year we will be offering a Teen Institute for the Environment (ages 13-17). Many sessions include a field trip, kayak trip or special guest visit ... more on Education Page

Reserve your DRA Organic Community Garden plot now! The DRA will be accepting applications for garden plots for 2013 starting March 26. This is a place to grow organic and healthy food. No pesticides or herbicides may be used. The only pest controls that will be permitted must be Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Associations (MOFGA.org) approved. Plots average approximately 340 square feet. A tool shed with tools for gardeners to use is located on site. Limited water is also available. A Garden Coordinator is available to provide technical assistance in support of gardeners in the DRA Organic Community Garden.
     To reserve a garden site, download and fill out the Gardening Agreement form and return it to DRA with your payment of $25.00. The form contains helpful information about community garden etiquette, and also provides organic gardening guidelines. DRA will be accepting applications beginning March 26th.

Archaeology Field School 2013 – Bryant-Barker Tavern Site • Newcastle, Maine: Archaeologist Tim Dinsmore will continue his research work on the 18th-century Bryant-Barker Tavern site located along the west bank of the upper Damariscotta River in Newcastle. This research is part of Tim's study of colonial shipwrights and their families that he has undertaken since 1980. Field school participants will have the opportunity to partake in one of four back-to-back one week sessions, or for a reduced price, several sessions, or all ... more on our Archaeology Page.

Oyster Gardening — Spaces Available For Spring 2014 Class
     This 2-year program offers participants the opportunity to grow oysters for non-commercial use. The Damariscotta River Association and Maine Sea Grant are teaming up to offer an Oyster Gardening program which provides participants with the opportunity to grow oysters for personal use with support from professional aquaculturists and industry experts. See our Education page for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities: Check out our Volunteer Opportunities Page for the latest ways for you to become more involved.

Round Top Farm: Information regarding usage and rental of the Barn and the Gallery at Round Top Farm is available here.

Information about our Board of Directors is available on our "Who We Are" Page – where you also will find information on our staff and on the scope of the work done by DRA.

Phillips Farm is now "for sale as farmland": Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and Damariscotta River Association (DRA) are working together to conserve this 68-acre Damariscotta property along Route 1 as farmland forever. MFT's acquisition of the land is a big step forward in the campaign. Fundraising to complete the project is making strong progress, with less than $75,000 to go as of early August. The goal is to sell the land to a farmer at farm price with an agricultural conservation easement on it to be held by DRA.
     In the video below, Jim Philips, John Reny and Christine Preston roll out the new banner announcing the partnering of DRA with MFT on the Phillips Farm Campaign.
     Channel 2 (WLBZ) and Channel 6 (WCSH) also have a multi-media report for you to view.

TICK ALERT. Ticks are out in force this year - even Fall and Winter! Please remember to tuck in pants, apply appropriate repellent, and above all do a nightly tick check. Please visit Maine CDC for more information and resources.

Visit DRA's Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center
on Belvedere Road in Damariscotta
(directions)

phone (207) 563-1393
fax (207) 563-2639
dra@damariscottariver.org

Become a member!

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