Programs, Events & News
Islesboro Islands Trust offers a variety of free environmental education programs and events to the Islesboro community throughout the year.
Sowing a Chaos Garden
Sowing a Chaos Garden - Saturday, June 13, 10:00am @ Blueberry Hill Learning Garden
Join us for another fun season in IIT’s Learning Garden. Saturday, June 20, Pam Larson and Michael Hutcherson of Growing Things will lead us in sowing what is known as a Chaos Garden. Not sure what that means? Come out on June 20, and find out more!
Keep your eyes peeled for future Learning Garden events and activities, including Summer and Fall harvests.
IIT programs are free and open to all. For further information, reach out to Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907
4th of July
Happy 4th of July!
The IIT Office will be closed Friday, July 3rd, in observation of Independence Day.
Early Morning Bird Watch
Early Morning Bird Watch at the Tarratine Golf Course, Saturday, July 25 @ 7:30 am.
Join IIT, Mark Forney and John King for a third annual early morning bird watch at the Tarratine Golf Course!
Thanks to the efforts of John King and the Tarratine club, Islesboro’s golf course has been certified by Audubon International. Beginning our day early, with our bird friends, we’ll identify bird species and discuss what the club has done to improve bird and wildlife habitat.
IIT's Sixth Annual Trail Day!
IIT’s Sixth Annual Trail Day! Sunday, August 9, 9:00am Kick-Off Event @ Blueberry Hill
Join us at 9:00am on Sunday, August 9th for a kick-off event at Blueberry Hill! Enjoy coffee and baked goods, generously provided by the Island Market, and get excited for another fantastic day of exploring IIT’s preserves.
The annual IIT trail day is a celebration of our conservation efforts. We encourage participants to visit as many IIT trails as they like, to appreciate all they offer and the work that is done to maintain them each year.
Suggested Donation - $20 Individual / $40 Family or Group
Participant Sponsorships - $100
To Register, Follow the QR Code below. When making your donation, note that is is for Trail Day. Or, beginning on June 25, find us at the ICC Farmers Market and sign-up in person!
Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party!
Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party! Wednesday, August 12, 8:30pm-10:30pm at IIT’s Blueberry Hill Preserve and Miller Center (Cloudy Date 8/13)
The Annual Perseid Meteor Showers are always exciting to behold! This year's shower peaks right at the New Moon, so join IIT at the Blueberry Hill Preserve and Miller Center to take in the show!
Bring binoculars, bug spray, blanket and picnic.
Permaculture Forest Garden Talk
Permaculture Forest Garden Talk - Wednesday, August 19 @ 10:00am at the Blueberry Hill Preserve
Jesse Watson, of Midcoast Permaculture Design, joins IIT at the Blueberry Hill heritage orchard to discuss Forest Garden Design: using patterns of forest and plant ecology as templates for designing edible and ecologically healthy polycultures.
Join us on Wednesday, August 19 to learn and hear about IIT’s future plans for the heritage orchard garden space.
Labor Day
Labor Day
The IIT Office will be closed Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day.
Harvest in the Garden!
Harvest in the Chaos Garden! - Saturday, September 12 @ 10:00am at the Blueberry Hill Learning Garden
Lets kick off a weekend of celebrating the harvest season with a visit to IIT’s Learning Garden. All summer long we’ve watched the Chaos Garden Grow. Now, it’s time for a harvest!
On Saturday, September 12, Join IIT and Growing Things to harvest what’s ripe. Then, we’ll take our produce down to IIT’s Learning Kitchen at the Miller Center to clean and prepare it for a Sunday potluck and Bean Bake!
Old-Fashioned Bean Bake, Cider Press & Potluck
Old-Fashioned Bean Bake, Cider Press & Potluck - Sunday, September 13, 12:30-3:30pm @ the Miller Center at Blueberry Hill
Lets celebrate the Harvest season with an old-fashioned bean bake and potluck! On Sunday, September 13, join IIT at our new center for a cider press, bean bake and potluck. IIT will provide the beans, hot dogs, brown bread and cider. Bring a side or dessert to share and your beverage of choice.
Star Party!
Star Party! - Monday, September 14 @ 7:00pm at IIT’s Miller Center at Blueberry Hill
Join IIT with astronomer John Meader, of Northern Stars Planetarium, at IIT's Blueberry Hill Preserve and Miller Center for a guided tour of the stars over Eastern Penobscot Bay!
Bring binoculars and blanket or chair to sit on.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth
The IIT Office will be closed Friday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
The IIT Office will be closed Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.
Ruth Gorton Art Show & "Hard Hat" Miller Center Tours
Ruth Gorton Art Show & “Hard Hat" Miller Center Tours - Sunday, May 24, 4-6PM @ the Miller Center & Barn
Maine Artist, Ruth Gorton, takes inspiration for much of her artwork from the surrounding coastal landscapes and IIT is thrilled to take part in Ruth’s Paintings Donated for Fundraising Program! As a part of our ongoing fundraising campaign for the Miller Center for Environmental Education, IIT will be hosting a Memorial Day Weekend Art Show, displaying an array of twenty Ruth Gorton paintings for sale at the new IIT Barn.
Join us from 4-6pm, on Sunday, May 24th to enjoy art, food, drink and tours of the in-progress Miller Center!
Spring Migration Birding
Spring Migration Birding - Saturday, May 9 at 8:00am - with Dr. JD Willson @ Turtle Head Preserve
Dr. JD Willson, Professor of Biology at the University of Arkansas, will lead an early morning birding walk at IIT’s Turtle Head during Spring Migration!
Islesboro is uniquely situated in Penobscot Bay as a perfect stopping place for migrating birds. Turtle Head, being the most northern point, is positioned to welcome birds flying further North or moving South. Whether you are a seasoned birder or just beginning, join us in early May to discover what feathered friends are visiting our island.
Earth Day Celebration!
Earth Day Celebration! - Wednesday, April 22, 10am-Noon @ Broad Point Preserve
Wednesday, April 22nd marks Earth Day 2026. Let’s Celebrate Mother Earth at Broad Point Preserve! Join IIT in the Broad Point parking area at 10am and together we will hike out to the beach. At the point, we’ll enjoy a bonfire, snack, Earth Day themed crafts & activities and a beach cleanup.
At the end take a Town of Islesboro trash bag with you for roadside cleanup at home.
IIT programs are free and open to all. For further information, reach out to Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907.
Readying for Bluebird Season
Readying for Bluebird Season - Saturday, March 28 @ 10:30am at the Blueberry Hill Preserve
Interested in Bluebirds? IIT installed six bluebird nesting boxes at our Blueberry Hill Preserve in the Spring of 2025 and three of the six were immediately inhabited by bluebirds and tree swallows!
As Spring approaches, our feathered friends will soon return and need safe, clean nesting boxes to raise their young. Join IIT on Saturday, March 28, to learn about and help clean and ready IIT's nesting boxes.
IIT programs are free and open to all. For further information, reach out to Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907.
March Soup & Talk
IIT Soup & Talk! Monday, March 2nd, 5:30-7:00pm @ the ICC Cafe
Join us for the last Soup & Talk of the season to break bread, learn and share stories of your time on the preserves.
March’s Soup & Talk topic will focus on the Lily Guest Trail. IIT’s Lily Guest Trail runs through some beautifully diverse Islesboro ecology on Tarratine Club property. Want to learn more? Bring your appetite, questions and stories and join us on March 2nd at the ICC Cafe.
IIT will provide soup and bread, always with a vegetarian option. Bring your own beverages and a side or dessert to share, if you’d like. We look forward to sharing with you!
Winter Star Party!
Winter Star Party! - Saturday, February 21 (Cloudy Date 02/22), 6:30pm @ Blueberry Hill
Take in the night sky at IIT’s Blueberry Hill Preserve! Ed Bacon and the Islesboro Stargazers, join us during February’s New Moon on Saturday, February 21, to point out the stars and constellations over eastern Penobscot Bay. Bring binoculars for better viewing and bundle up! Hot Cocoa will be provided. Contact Chloe Joule for further information on where to park and view.
Cloudy date will be Sunday, February 22nd.
IIT programs are free and open to all. For further information, reach out to Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907.
Calender of Events
News
Recorded Nature Talks Library
Did You Miss One of IIT’s Nature Talks?
No worries - many of our Zoom Talks are recorded! Click on a link below to view some of our past topics.
Eelgrass Restoration on the Maine Coast w/ Glenn Page
Bluebird Nesting Habits w/ Dr. Sarah DuRant
December Stars & Planets - Star Party w/ John Meader
Predicting Sea Level Rise & Flooding in the Gulf of Maine
