The wooded landscape of Maine today is vastly different than it was 100 years ago. Learn to “read” the forest’s history through natural clues. Topics covered include: why different tree species dominate different wooded parcels, how to identify and date logging stumps and roads, the role of the “nurse tree”, why stone walls are found in the middle of wooded areas, what created those “potholes'' peppering certain areas of the woods, and so much more! Learn to differentiate a man-made rock dump from a boulder train left by retreating glaciers. Discover the health of a forest and its vast communication network between trees by observing physical clues all around you. Did you know that forests release a powerful biochemical compound scientifically proven to fight cancer cells and strengthen the immune systems of both people and animals? Learn all about the symbiotic relationship between us and our wooded and forested lands. Walk away with a better understanding of the anatomy of our forests and why we need to conserve them. Please note: Deb graciously volunteers her time and property. Donations in support of maintenance and set up are appreciated and can be made at the time of the course. The class will be held outdoors or, in case of intermittent weather, a small outdoor structure. Rain dates will be scheduled if needed. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray and dress for the outdoors. Please pre-register as we need a minimum of 4 people to run the course.  

In 2005, Deb became a registered Maine Guide, guiding people in Maine’s great outdoors. A former reserve police officer, EMT, firefighter, and crisis counselor, she was also part of the search and rescue team with the USAF and a member of its critical incident stress management team. She has spent her entire life as an amateur archeologist, historian, and naturalist. In 2014, she retired from farming in Aroostook County and moved to her 50-acre wooded lot, living off the grid and close to nature.

Learn basic tree identification as we take a leisurely walk through the woods. Bring an open mind and open your eyes to the wonders of nature! This class will also contain very basic information about edible plants to forage and use. *Instructors do not recommend consuming plants unless you are absolutely positive you know what they are; we are by no means experts. This is an introductory class.* Bring appropriate walking shoes and dress for the weather. Please pre-register as we need a minimum of 4 people to run the course.

GROWING GREAT GARLIC

Do you love garlic in your cooking? Did you know you can grow it yourself?  Growing garlic in the north with our cold winters differs from growing it in the warmer south.  Get some tips on when and how to raise your own crop here in Maine.  It’s good for your taste buds and your health! And it’s time to plant here in Maine! Please pre-register as we need a minimum of 4 people to run this class.

About Brigit: An avid gardener, researcher, and teacher, Brigit loves teaching classes where everyone learns new things, and where she goes home having learned more herself, for her own gardens, and for teaching future classes.

Long before the days of television, weather apps, and live radar, Maine farmers, mariners, loggers, and Native Americans relied on nature clues for weather prediction. Their lives and livelihoods depended on it. In today’s modern technological society of instant information, these scientifically- proven, accurate natural weather indicators have been relegated to folklore and are being largely forgotten. Did you know that your morning cup of coffee can foretell if it’s going to snow or rain that day? How accurate are wooly bear caterpillars in determining a harsh or mild winter? What’s the science behind cattle lying down in a field before a storm or the saying, “Trace in the Sky the Painter’s Brush and the Winds Around You Soon Rush''? Discover how to determine the exact temperature through clouds, moon, sun, and all the signs within nature. Deb graciously volunteers her time and property. Donations in support of maintenance and set up are appreciated and can be made at the time of the course. The class will be held outdoors or, in case of intermittent weather, a small outdoor structure. Rain dates will be scheduled if needed. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray and dress for the outdoors. Please pre-register as we need a minimum of 4 people to run the course.  

In 2005, Deb became a registered Maine Guide, guiding people in Maine’s great outdoors. A former reserve police officer, EMT, firefighter, and crisis counselor, she was also part of the search and rescue team with the USAF and a member of its critical incident stress management team. She has spent her entire life as an amateur archeologist, historian, and naturalist. In 2014, she retired from farming in Aroostook County and moved to her 50-acre wooded lot, living off the grid and close to nature.