Programs, Events & News
Islesboro Islands Trust offers a variety of free environmental education programs and events to the Islesboro community throughout the year.
November Soup & Talk
IIT Soup & Talk! Monday, November 3, 5:30-7:00pm @ the ICC Cafe
IIT’s Soup & Talk series is back for another Winter! Beginning Monday, November 3, and happening every first Monday of the month through March. Join IIT to break bread, learn and share stories of your time on the preserves.
November’s Soup & Talk will focus on IIT’s Miller Center at Blueberry Hill. We are thrilled to have broken ground on our new facility and want to share our excitement with you! So bring your appetite, questions and suggestions and join us on November 3 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!
Veteran's Day - IIT Office Closed
Thank You Veterans
The IIT Office will be closed, Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! - May your day be filled with family, friends, food and gratitude.
The IIT Office will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving.
December Soup & Talk
IIT Soup & Talk! Monday, December 1, 5:30-7:00pm @ the ICC Cafe
IIT’s Soup & Talk series is back for another Winter and happening every first Monday of the month through March! Join IIT to break bread, learn and share stories of your time on the preserves.
December’s Soup & Talk will focus on the Elaine’s Trail at the Hutchins Marsh Preserve. HUGE changes are happening at the Marsh. So bring your appetite, questions and stories and join us on December 1st 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!
Wreath-Making Workshop
A Wreath Making Workshop - Saturday, December 6, 9:00 - 11:00am @ Turtle Head Preserve
December is here, says the seasonal nip in the air! It’s time to collect greens and create a holiday wreath.
We’ll start our morning at the Turtle Head Preserve to talk about the different kinds of greens one may choose to use and collect them. Then, we will take our freshly cut greens to Chloe Joule’s home on the Bluff Road to assemble our wreaths. IIT provides wreath rings and wire. Bring any other decorations you would like to add (pinecones, berries, ribbons, etc).
Space and supplies are limited! Contact Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org / (207) 734-6907 to save your spot.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day!
The IIT Office will be closed on Thursday, December 25, to observe Christmas.
New Year's Day!
Happy New Year!
The IIT Office will be closed Thursday, January 1, in observance of New Year’s Day.
January Soup & Talk
IIT Soup & Talk! Monday, January 5th, 5:30-7:00pm @ the ICC Cafe
IIT’s Soup & Talk series is back for another Winter and happening every first Monday of the month through March! Join IIT to break bread, learn and share stories of your time on the preserves.
January’s Soup & Talk topic will be our Blueberry Hill Preserve. Blueberry Hill is FULL of diverse habitats and project potentials. So bring your appetite, questions and stories and join us on December 1st 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!
Halloween StoryWalk® Event!
Halloween StoryWalk® Event! - Thursday, October 23, 5:00-6:30pm @ the Narrows Preserve
Join IIT and the ALP Library for our fifth year of Halloween-themed StoryWalk®! Through the month of October, view the book Just Say
Boo, written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Jed Henry, at IIT's Narrows Preserve.
As an extra treat, a Spooky StoryWalk® Event will be held at IIT’s Narrows Preserve on Thursday, October 23rd, from 5-6:30pm. Dress in costume and join us to walk and read - with hot cider and treats!
Art in Nature - Autumnal Gouache Workshop
Art in Nature Fall Series - Autumnal Gouache Workshop
Sunday October 5, 1:00-4:00pm @ Blueberry Hill
Local Artist, Corinna D’Schoto joins us again to demonstrate gouache! Gouache is a water-based paint that is known for its opacity. Whether you’re already familiar with it, or using it for the first time, join us for a fun and informative workshop.
Bring a blanket, chair or something comfortable to sit on and join IIT and Corinna to take in the unique qualities of Islesboro’s Blueberry Hill this fall.
Space is for this workshop is limited. To sign up, contact Chloe Joule: cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907).
IIT Nature Center Informational Gathering
IIT Nature Center Informational Gathering
Saturday, October 4, 11:00am @ Alice L Pendleton Library
IIT is thrilled to be building a new office and classroom at our Blueberry Hill Preserve and we want to hear from you!
On Saturday, October 4, IIT will be hosting an informational get together at the Alice L Pendleton Library.
Join IIT Executive Director, Chloe Joule, to enjoy coffee and goodies, hear about the new facility and ask questions.
IIT Nature Center Informational Gathering
IIT Nature Center Informational Gathering
Saturday, September 20, 11:00am @ Alice L Pendleton Library
IIT is thrilled to be building a new office and classroom at our Blueberry Hill Preserve and we want to hear from you!
On Saturday, September 20 and again on October 4, IIT will be hosting an informational get together at the Alice L Pendleton Library.
Join IIT Executive Director, Chloe Joule, to enjoy coffee and goodies, hear about the new facility and ask questions.
Labor Day - IIT Office Closed
Happy Labor Day!
The IIT Office will be closed, Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day.
Summer Star Party!
Summer Star Party! - Wednesday, August 27, 8:30pm @ Blueberry Hill
Take in the night sky at IIT’s Blueberry Hill Preserve! Astronomer John Meader, of Northern Stars Planetarium, joins us during August’s New Moon on Wednesday, August 27, to point out the stars and constellations over eastern Penobscot Bay. Bring binoculars for better viewing and a blanket to sit on.
IIT programs are free and open to all. For further information, reach out to Chloe Joule at cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907.
Apple Tree Stewardship Talk
Apple Tree Stewardship Talk - Saturday, August 23, 10:00am at Blueberry Hill
IIT’s Blueberry Hill is home to apple trees of all ages, shapes and sizes. Some are older than we know and likely the product of unintentional apple trees created from feeding livestock. Some are the first stages of IIT’s heritage apple orchard that we have been expanding on annually for the past three seasons.
Each tree and each variety are unique and have different needs. On Saturday, August 23, join IIT with Dan Tutor to learn what you can do to tend, prune and protect your trees at all stages of life.
Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party!
Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party! - Friday, August 15, 9:00pm @ Blueberry Hill
Join IIT and the Island Stargazers at IIT’s Blueberry Hill Preserve to take in August’s annual light show - the Perseid Meteor Shower! The Perseid meteor shower occurs every Summer, in our northeast region of the country. It takes place from mid-late July to late August, but peaks mid August.
Come out Friday night to enjoy one of the major meteor shower events of the year. Bring a blanket, binoculars and whatever late-night picnic you’d like and let’s take in the night sky together!
Early Morning Birding
Early Morning Birding
Thursday, August 14 (Rain Date 8/21), 7:00am @ the Golf Club
Join IIT, John King of the Tarratine Golf Club and local birder Mark Forney for an early morning birding walk on the Tarratine Golf Club road! We'll wake early with our bird friends and try to identify as many species as we can, while also hearing about the strides the Golf Club has made to become an International Audubon-Certified course and their approach to encouraging bird habitat.
Nature Notebook Binding Workshop - Art in Nature
Nature Notebook Binding Workshop - Thursday, August 7 at 5:30pm @ IIT’s Blueberry Hill
Local Artist, Sally Mitchell, joins IIT for an Art in Nature session on Thursday, August 7. Sally will be demonstrating how to bind small notebooks that can be used in the field as nature observation journals - just in time to capture all the Fall wildlife activity!
IIT programs are free and open to everyone. This is a great workshop for kids 10 & Up and adults of all ages. Space and supplies are limited. Please reach out to Chloe Joule - cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907) - to sign-up.
150 Years Together: Celebrating Islesboro!
150 Years Together: Celebrating Islesboro - Saturday August 2, 5:00pm @ Brigham Orchard
IIT Trail Day!
IIT Trail Day! Sunday, July 27th - Kick-Off Event at Blueberry Hill @ 9:00am
Join IIT for our 5th Annual Trail Day! Help preserve our trails for all to enjoy. Join us for a Kick-off Event at Blueberry Hill Preserve at 9:00am.
Participants will receive an IIT Trail Passport with directions, trail maps, clue hunt, highlights and mileage. Show your passport to receive an ice cream from the Dark Harbor Shop after the event!
To Register:
SUGGESTED DONATIONS- $20 FOR INDIVIDUALS / $40 FOR FAMILIES OR GROUPS
SPONSORSHIPS- PARTICIPANTS/ $100
Scan the QR code above and note that your support is for Trail Day
Look for us at the IIT Table at the Islesboro Farmers Market
Contact Kizzi Barton (kbarton@islesboroislandstrust.org) or Chloe Joule (cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org) or call the IIT office: (207) 734-6907
Hurricane Island & UMaine Sensor Network Project
Hurricane Island-UMaine Sensor Network Project - Tuesday, July 15, 10:00am @ Turtle Head Preserve
Hurricane Island and the University of Maine are implementing a series of data-collecting buoys in the Gulf of Maine. This Summer, join IIT with Nicholas Keeney, and others, of Hurricane Island at Turtle Head to hear about their Sensor Network Project.
What buoys are they implementing? What information are they hoping to gather and what will be done with it? How have they chosen where to set up this sensor network?
Join us to hear the answers and find out more!
Gouache Workshop - Art in Nature
Gouache Painting Workshop - Tuesday, July 8 at 5:30pm with Corinna D’Schoto - the Hinkle Preserve
Local artist, Corinna D’Schoto, joins IIT for an Art in Nature session! Corinna will be demonstrating gouache - a type of water-based paint that is known for its opacity - to take in the unique qualities of Islesboro’s open space.
IIT programs are free and open to everyone. Space and supplies are limited. To sign up, contact Chloe Joule: cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907).
Fourth of July! - IIT Office Closed
Happy 4th of July!
The IIT Office will be closed Friday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.
Bluebird Nest Monitoring Talk
Bluebird Nest Monitoring Talk - Wednesday, July 2 at 10:00am @ the Blueberry Hill Preserve
Dr. Sarah DuRant joins IIT in person at Blueberry Hill ‘s new Bluebird Nesting Box site to discuss her research and how to steward our bluebird boxes.
Interested in being a bluebird box monitor? IIT has six bluebird boxes installed at Blueberry Hill. Each box requires careful monitoring and care and we would love your help! Reach out to Chloe Joule for more information: cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907.
Rescheduled! - Planting Day!
Planting Day at the Learning Garden! - Saturday, June 21, 10:00am at IIT’s Blueberry Hill Learning Garden
Pam Larson and Anna Congdon join IIT at the Blueberry Hill Learning Garden for another year of growing and learning! This year’s focus will be a traditional Three Sisters garden, featuring sweet corn, delicata squash, a variety of beans and sunflowers.
On Saturday, June 21, help put seeds and seedlings in the ground. Then, come back for a Summer corn harvest, followed by early Autumn bean and squash 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.
Forestry For Maine Birds Workshop
Forestry For Maine Birds Workshop - Friday, June 13, 10am - 2:30pm
Allyssa Gregory from the Maine State Forest Service, and Sally Stockwell with Maine Audubon, join us for this half day workshop to teach us how to steward forests to encourage habitat for Maine’s birds!
Are you curious about how to create, or steward existing, habitat on your property to support Maine birds and wildlife, while also creating a safe and defensible space around your home? Sign-up to join IIT’s Forestry for Maine Birds workshop!
This workshop will be about four hours, with a lunch break to chat and catch up. Bring your own lunch. IIT will provide dessert, snacks, coffee & tea!
To sign up, contact Chloe Joule: cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org or (207) 734-6907. This workshop requires a minimum number of attendees for Maine Audubon and MSF to be able to join us, so please sign up as soon as you are able.
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.
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
