Programs, Events & News
Islesboro Islands Trust offers a variety of free environmental education programs and events to the Islesboro community throughout the year.
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.
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!
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
The IIT Office will be closed Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.
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 6, 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 13, 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.
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
