Upcoming events
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Forest Defenders - Forestry Field Day
July 18, 2025 11am-3pm
Forestry Field Day focused on healthy woodlots and invasives management. Free event. At 24 Don Fish Trail, Orland. Lunch provided, bring a camp chair. Rain of shine.
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Open Garden Day with NGBH
July 19, 2025 10am-2pm
Native Gardens of Blue Hill is hosting a free public event with mini workshops on planting for birds, nature journaling for families, etc. Also Q&A with horticulturist and presentation by NGBH.
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Board Meeting - HCSWCD Board of Supervisors
Wed, July 23, 2025 8am-10am Via zoom
Monthly Board meeting, public is welcome to attend.
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HCSWCD Annual Meeting - Ellsworth Harbor Park
Aug 7, 2025 12pm-2pm
Join the staff and Board of Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District as we host our annual meeting at Ellsworth Harbor Park. Lunch by Flexit provided, please register below or call 667-8663.
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Native Plant Design Workshop with Lauren Landers
Wed Aug 20, 2025 11am
Join Lauren Landers of Zero Waste Homestead as she leads a HCSWCD-hosted workshop on planning and designing native plant gardens.
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Maine Outdoor Film Fest Selects
Sept 18, 2025
Adventure and Conservation films from across Maine and around the world at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport. In partnership with PRNEMBA and GPMCT Sustainable Single Track Committee.
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Water Quality Volunteers
Ongoing Workshops
Help monitor water quality in Hancock County with ongoing workshops provided for volunteers by Lake Stewards of Maine with DEP.
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Backyard Rewilding
Ongoing CLC Program
Join our Rewilding program, made possible by the Davis Conservation Foundation, led by Tabatha White. Turn your backyard into a biodiverse haven for native species! Call 667-8663 to schedule a free site visit.
HCSWCD District Calendar
Get Involved
Our conservation work in Hancock County depends on community residents and organizations to support and contribute to it. We maintain a list of conservation-related opportunities that are organized by our partners, and, when possible, we organize events and volunteer opportunities that are specific to our soil and water projects. We invite you to join one or all of these opportunities to stay connected with conservation work in our community.
We also invite you to consider giving to our District. We accept donations of all sizes, and encourage you to reach out to us if you’re interested in partnering to accomplish and expand conservation goals. Please call us at 207.667.8663 for more information.
By providing Envirothon and other quality education programs to students today, we hope to ensure the continued value of Maine’s natural resources. Envirothon is aligned with Common Core Standards, the guiding principles for Maine’s education system.
Youth Engagement
Envirothon
What is Envirothon? A natural resource problem-solving competition for grades 9-12. In an outdoor setting, students are tested in five natural resource areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a current national environmental issue. Envirothon is a team effort that includes site-specific, hands-on tasks. A team includes three to five students, an alternate, and an adult advisor. Regional and state competitions are held each spring. The top Maine team qualifies for the North American Envirothon finals, an opportunity to compete against teams from across the United States and Canada.
Why Envirothon? The State of Maine has a long history of natural resource use and management. Maine is 90% forested, has 6,000 lakes and ponds, 4,500 miles of mainland shoreline, and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. We have an abundance of wildlife and fish, and agriculture continues to be an important resource. The Maine Association of Conservation Districts has a strong, shared commitment to preserving these natural landscapes.
Educational Farm Tours Program
The Educational Farm Tours Program was created to increase students’ access to local agriculture and agricultural education through tours, hands on activities and educational lessons. The hope is that these experiences will help foster a greater understanding of our food and fiber system as well as its importance in Hancock County.
Reimbursement is available once for each class/youth group per school calendar year as grant funds allow. Reimbursement is meant to cover the tour fee the farm charges the school/youth group.
The following farms participate in the Educational Farm Tours Program that is sponsored by the Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District. Each farm is unique in what it has to offer a visiting school or children’s group.
Please contact the individual farms directly for more information. If you would like your farm to be a part of the Educational Farm Tours Program, please contact the Hancock County SWCD office at 207-667-8663.